Director of Financial Aid

Wesleyan University, founded in 1831, is a diverse, energetic liberal arts community where critical thinking and practical idealism go hand in hand.

Position Details
Wesleyan University seeks a highly motivated, technically proficient, and strategic leader to serve as its next Director of Financial Aid.

Reporting to the Vice President and Dean of Admission and Financial Aid, the Director has primary oversight of the Office of Financial Aid and all programs in support of student access to Wesleyan. The selected candidate will lead an office dedicated to providing exemplary service and to supporting the University’s commitment to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of its students. By facilitating Wesleyan’s ability to attract and retain an academically accomplished and diverse student body, the Director of Financial Aid will support Wesleyan University’s educational mission and broader aims.

Wesleyan is a student-centered institution. The Director will provide excellent customer service for Wesleyan’s student population, including 1,251 institutional grant recipients in a need-based financial aid program, managing aid from all sources in excess of $72 million.

The Director will develop and implement financial aid policies and strategic initiatives, manage the financial aid research agenda, and oversee the financial aid budget.

The Director will serve as the key financial aid resource person for the President, Cabinet, and Board of Trustees, and will also partner with University Communications, Admissions, and Equity and Inclusion in promoting access to Wesleyan and Wesleyan’s affordability.

The Director will work collaboratively with many entities on and off campus, building strong, transparent relationships and representing the Office of Financial Aid.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of setting and achieving strategic objectives, experience managing high-performing teams, facility managing multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, high-volume environment, and outstanding interpersonal and communication skills. They must be a results-driven professional with deep experience in data management and institutional methodology. Above all, the ideal candidate must embody a deep commitment to diversity, an appreciation for liberal education, and support the values and traditions of Wesleyan University.

THE ROLE The Director of Financial Aid at Wesleyan will be the strategic leader of the Office of Financial Aid, overseeing the staff, managing operations, and setting priorities for the Office. The Director must be a strategic thinker, an excellent communicator, and most importantly, understand and embrace the philosophy of need-based financial aid within the context of a highly selective liberal arts institution. They must be visible, approachable, and have an open-door policy. The Director will be as comfortable communicating with executive leadership as with individual students. This role is a unique opportunity to be an integral part of a close-knit campus community while creatively addressing one of the most important public policy issues in America—financing higher education.

The Director will be Wesleyan’s authority on financial aid policy and operations. The Director will perform essential analyses governing financial aid policy decisions, along with creating the vision and strategic direction for the Office. They will manage the financial aid budget, including the award and disbursement process of financial aid to the undergraduate college and graduate programs. The Director will maintain compliance with federal regulations and ensure that the institution maintains the appropriate relationships with all state, federal, and other student financial assistance supporting agencies. The Director is the primary liaison for all external funding agencies that work with the Office.

Among other duties, the Director will be expected to do the following:

• Establish the vision and strategy for the financial aid office amidst a changing landscape
• Effectively communicate financial aid policies to current and prospective students and families
• Lead and inspire a high-performing, collaborative team
• Effectively and efficiently lead all office operations and business processes
• Build strong relationships and serve as a strategic partner across Wesleyan
• Represent the Office externally and be an influential voice on Wesleyan financial aid policy

Minimum Qualifications
A minimum of seven years or more of progressive experience and demonstrated success in financial aid management at a college or university with a substantial need-based financial aid program.

An undergraduate degree is required; advanced degree desired but may be substituted by a combination of education, experience, and training .

Familiarity and experience with institutional methodology and in administering aid policies that are equitable, consistent, and cost-effective.

A deep commitment to diversity, liberal arts education, college access, and the values and traditions of Wesleyan University.

A successful track record of multidisciplinary project management and development, effectively leading a performance and outcomes-based organization and staff.

Strong communication skills; a demonstrated aptitude for persuasive and passionate communication paired with excellent interpersonal skills.

Supervisory and leadership skills necessary to direct and coach a diverse staff, and experience developing high-performing teams.

A track record of setting and achieving strategic objectives; unwavering commitment to quality programs and data-driven program evaluation.

Experience collaborating with and bringing together diverse groups of people around a common vision.

Proven ability to set work priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, high-volume environment while exercising careful attention to detail and deadlines.

Proven ability with multiple software applications and/or a demonstrated quick study; experience with PowerFAIDS, PeopleSoft, Slate, and Blackboard Analytics helpful; familiarity with all federal software and reporting requirements.

The highest level of personal and professional integrity and the ability to handle confidential matters with discretion.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree
Special Instructions to Applicants
Isaacson, Miller has been retained to conduct the search for the Director, Financial Aid at Wesleyan University. Interested candidates should apply for the position and view the position description through the Isaacson, Miller link below:

https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/wesleyan-university/director-financial-aid

Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.

Daniel Rodas, Partner Kelly McLaughlin, Senior Associate Isaacson, Miller
Additional Information
All offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate’s completion of apre-employment background check screeningto the satisfaction of Wesleyan University.

WesleyanUniversity requires proof of COVID -19vaccination andbooster(if eligible under CDC guidelines) or an approvedexemptionprior to first day of employment.

Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non-position-related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups. Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504 or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed to Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator. Wesleyan University complies with the Clery Act and maintains records of campus crime statistics and security policies. Copies of Wesleyan University?s Clery Act Report are available on request and online at http://www.wesleyan.edu/publicsafety/compliance.html.