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Director of Financial Aid Compliance

Employer
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Location
Massachusetts, United States
Salary
Salary Not Specified
Date posted
Mar 9, 2023

Position Details

Classification Information

Classification Title

***New Job Title

Position Information

Position Title

Director of Financial Aid Compliance

Position Number

Department

Financial Aid

Job Description Summary

Wentworth Institute of Technology
Boston, Massachusetts
Director of Financial Aid Compliance

*
NES , a higher education search firm specializing in enrollment management searches, is assisting Wentworth Institute of Technology in their search for a Director of Financial Aid Compliance.

https://nessearches.com/finaid-compliance-wit/

To arrange for a confidential conversation, please contact Catherine Capolupo, catherine.capolupo@nessearches.com or Suzi Nam suzi.nam@nessearches.com

To apply, please send the following items: 1) a resume, 2) a detailed letter of interest, and 3) contact information for five professional references by email to: wit@nessearches.com.

For assurance of full consideration, please submit application materials no later than April 7. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. All applications and nominations will be considered confidential, and notice will be given before references are contacted. The Director of Financial Aid Compliance is expected to start during the summer of 2023.


At Wentworth, we deliver high-value learning through innovative community and industry integration, advanced technological exploration, immersive practice on real-world challenges, personalized learning, and social impact projects. By creating an environment and culture that pushes high-value learning to its limits, we will accelerate our graduates’ professional mobility and their contributions as responsible and engaged citizens.
-Wentworth Institute of Technology, Strategic Plan

Wentworth Institute of Technology is seeking a forward thinking, collaborative, and energetic financial aid leader to assume the role of Director of Financial Aid Compliance ( DOFAC ). Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Student Financial Services, the DOFAC will co-manage the day-to-day operations in the Financial Aid area. Working closely with the AVP, Director of Financial Aid Operations and the Director of Outreach and Financial Literacy, the DOFAC will set, improve, and revise office policies and procedures, ensuring an excellent student-centered experience. In addition, the DOFAC will supervise two, possibly three, financial aid counselors.

The DOFAC will serve as the resident expert for both internal and external compliance processes and regulations. Identifying needs and concerns within the financial aid office as well as the broader Wentworth community, the DOFAC will determine potential solutions to highly varied and complex challenges. This individual will have the opportunity to develop new concepts and approaches, and will have the ability to persuade, gain cooperation, and acceptance of ideas and collaborate on significant projects.

Within the Office of Student Financial Services, the Director of Financial Aid Compliance will collaborate to offer an exceptional experience to all those who interface with the division. As a leader in student financial services, and in the greater Wentworth community, the DOFAC will act as a role model, offering expert guidance to all staff members and the WIT community. The new leader will play a pivotal role in making Wentworth’s game-changing degree programs available to students of all backgrounds. The DOFAC role is a hybrid one, with the expectation that the Director will work from the Wentworth campus in the office between 20%-60% of the time.

The DOFAC will assume the following roles and responsibilities:
● Ensure financial aid procedures comply with state, federal, and internal policy and regulations, and adhere to effective, efficient processing while providing support for decision making, policy recommendations, and administrative improvements.
● Demonstrate sound, informed judgment in providing guidance on the application and interpretation of state and federal guidelines.
● Manage the day-to-day operations within financial aid including: conducting compliance audits of campus departments that impact Title IV aid; overseeing and verifying Title IV refund calculations; performing monthly federal reconciliation; managing the A-133 Audit; working with staff on verification and professional judgment reviews.
● Assist AVP in setting, revising, and implementing policies, processes, and operations within the Financial Aid area, working with staff to ensure they document policies and procedures.
● Develop and maintain relationships with key contacts to enhance workflow and work quality and collaborate on major projects.
● Design and implement quality control systems to continuously test that the office is complying with federal, state, and local regulations and all policies and procedures while delivering student-centered services.
● Monitor all regulations and funds, as they pertain to federal, state, and private programs, assess their impact and keep stakeholders informed.
● Serve as the Title IV compliance expert for the college and collaborate with various departments on compliance inquiries.
● Develop and ensure compliant content for the financial aid website and assist in the coordination of the relevancy, usefulness, and accuracy of information while ensuring overall compliance with federal consumer protection and disclosure requirements.
● Stay informed and current regarding regulatory changes, internal and external process updates, best practices in financial aid delivery to impact enrollment and student success, and execute appropriate action plans.
● Hire, train, evaluate, and develop the financial aid staff; monitor staff for consistent processes and operations within the office.
● Participate as a trainer in a cross-functional training program for new employees.
● Partner with college deans, programs directors and faculty in the development of new academic programs and degrees, offering wisdom and a positive problem solving approach to assuring state and federal compliance.
● Maintain a current understanding of current state and federal guidelines, anticipate changes and educate and alert campus partners to changes and the impact on programs, processes and students.
● Develop accurate data reporting.
● Act as role model and leader to Financial Aid Staff members and the WIT community.

Qualifications & Characteristics
The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree, with an advanced degree preferred. Additionally, they should have five years of progressive leadership and management experience in financial aid administration with expertise in compliance. In addition, the following job-related qualifications represent the knowledge, skills and abilities of the successful candidate:
● A deep understanding of the higher education financial aid field with current knowledge of state and federal regulation and exemplary compliance
● Comprehensive knowledge of theories, concepts, and practices and ability to use them in complex, difficult and/or unprecedented situations
● Confident, trustworthy and personable professional style with the ability to develop strong relationships with faculty and staff, facilitating collaboration at the highest level
● Effective planning, organizing, communication, and interpersonal skills, including use of tact and discretion with the ability to meet deadlines
● Ability to evaluate, create, innovate and improve processes for greater efficiency and effectiveness in all manual and electronic processes and reporting and for the benefit of customer service
● Comprehensive knowledge of financial aid software modules and interfaces
● Proficiency in data analysis and research
● Effective leadership and managerial skills to train and oversee staff who perform a variety of functions within regulatory compliance, with a history of staff development and retention. Familiar and comfortable serving students with a highly personalized approach
● Demonstrated ability to work independently and to maintain confidentiality.
● Deep appreciation, commitment and ability to articulate the mission and core values of Wentworth
● Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms
● Emphasis on customer service and possessing a strong student orientation
● Collaborative team player with the ability to work in a high stress, deadline-driven environment; Able to infuse daily work with levity and balance and ability to achieve and celebrate success
● Excellent written and verbal communication, and presentation skills
● Exceptional listener with strong relational skills
● Personable, approachable, and accessible to team members, students, families, and other members of the community and its partners
● Commitment to innovation with the ability to implement creative and new approaches for achieving goals
● Strong technical, organizational, and data management skills; Experience with Ellucian Banner is preferred
● Positive and collaborative spirit and a motivated, solution-oriented, enthusiastic work style
● Ability to articulate and explain highly complex standards, practices and guidelines, and willingness to educate others in the application and interpretation of published and anticipated guidelines
● Experience leading, training and motivating financial aid staff
● A sincere empathy for students and families and ability to offer exceptional customer service.

Wentworth Institute of Technology
Wentworth Institute of Technology was founded in 1904 “to furnish education in the mechanical arts.” Today, just under 4000 undergraduates pursue associate and bachelor’s degrees in 22 engineering, technology, design, and management disciplines across the five schools of: Architecture & Design, Computing & Data Science, Engineering, Management, and Sciences & Humanities. In addition to offering certificate programs, graduate students may pursue 12 master’s degrees. While Wentworth offers traditional semesters, the hallmark of a Wentworth education remains the robust co-op program, offering hands-on experiences that offer depth of learning, relevant experiences, and valuable networking opportunities, with over 30% leading directly to an offer of employment.

Wentworth is a member of the Colleges of the Fenway consortium and shares many facilities and activities with nearby institutions. With this membership, Wentworth students are entitled to register for courses with participating neighboring institutions at no additional cost.
Wentworth Institute of Technology’s ranked #40 among the Best Colleges in Regional Universities North. Just over 80% of the incoming students live on campus in 9 residence halls, with the opportunity to live in themed housing. The Leopards 16 Division III athletic teams compete in the Commonwealth Coast league.

Boston, Massachusetts
For Wentworth students, Boston is both their home and their classroom. The campus sits on 31-acres conveniently located in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston and within walking distance of cultural, educational, sports and medical hubs. Access to the entirety of the city via public transportation allows students to pursue internships, co-ops and careers with some of the most innovative and fastest-growing companies, non-profits, and start-ups in the Northeast.
Wentworth sits on the boundaries of several historic and diverse neighborhoods—Mission Hill, Roxbury, Fenway—in Boston. These neighborhoods are rich with opportunities for students to learn and grow. Whether working side-by-side with Boston K-12 schools to redesign learning spaces or documenting the hidden history of Roxbury, Wentworth students benefit from the real-world experience of collaborating with their neighbors. In addition, the neighborhoods benefit from the commerce that the school, faculty, staff and students bring to local businesses.

Inclusive Excellence at Wentworth:
Wentworth Institute of Technology is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all University programs and activities. The University does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, genetic information, gender identity, veteran status or any other category protected by law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration.

Minimum Education Required

Bachelor's degree

Preferred Education

Minimum Work Experience Required

5 years+

Preferred Work Experience

Minimum Knowledge Required

Working knowledge of concepts, practices and procedures and ability to use in varied situations.

Preferred Knowledge

Advertised Minimum Qualifications

Bachelors Degree
5+ years of experience in Higher Education
Expertise in compliance

Advertised Preferred Qualifications

Salary Range

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number

S00795

Job Category

Professional
Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
    • Boston.com
    • Higheredjobs.com
    • Colleges of the Fenway site
    • Wentworth site
    • Studentaffairs.com
    • Chronicle of Higher Ed.
    • NE HERC
    • El Mundo
    • Sampan
    • Bay State Banner
    • Colors Magazine
    • AcademicKeys
    • ACM.org
    • CRA.org
    • IEEE.org
    • Academicjobsonline.org
    • Referral
    • Other
    • Mathjobs
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