Director of Student Financial Services

Goucher College

Director of Student Financial Services

Goucher College in Baltimore, MD, in partnership with the national search firm Scott Healy & Associates, invites applications and nominations for the recently created position of Director of Student Financial Services (DSFS). The Director is charged with integrating the offices of Financial Aid and Student Accounts to create a dynamic, one stop shop that offers students and their families counseling in terms of eligibility for financial aid and options to finance their educational expenses.

The goal is for Goucher College to become the gold standard within this field. The Director is also responsible for developing awarding strategies for the distribution of the financial aid resources of the College, management of financial aid policies and procedures, gathering, maintaining and distributing essential financial aid data and managing student receivables. The Director reports to the Vice President for Enrollment Management and will provide expertise and knowledge of best practices and leadership in guiding a model, student centered operation. Leveraging aid and establishing appropriate discounting to increase new student enrollment as well as increasing persistence and graduation rates is very important.

The Position: The Director provides overall management and leadership necessary for the effective administration of the College’s Office of Student Financial Services. The Director is responsible for:

• Planning, supervising, and evaluating the financial aid operations of the College;
• Maintaining the integrity of the financial aid recordkeeping process;
• Supervising the preparation and submission of institutional, state, and federal reports;
• Developing and implementing policies and procedures designed to maximize net revenue goals;
• Maintaining accountability for internal and external audits related to financial aid, responding to audit inquiries, participating in resolving audit issues in cooperation with the college controller’s office;
• Exercising professional judgment in the review of all appeals;
• Supporting the recruitment and retention efforts of the College;
• Awarding, disbursing, and reconciling of all federal and state aid as well as scholarships/grants in accordance with federal, state and local regulations and policies;
• Working closely with Information Technology to maintain PowerFaids and PowerCampus applications including financial aid budgets, packaging rules, billing assessment rules to ensure accurate and timely processing;
• Managing the college’s accounts receivable portfolio;
• Ensuring a focus on the customer service experience.

Qualifications: Candidates Should Have the Following:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred;
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid and/or students accounts at an institution of higher education; preference will be given to candidates with experience in both areas;
• Superior written and verbal communication skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish effective collaborative relationships;
• Commitment to customer service and the ability to be a trusted ambassador for the College’s mission and goals;
• Working knowledge of Federal and State Financial Aid Software Systems.

Goucher College:

Since it was founded in 1885 by the Rev. John Franklin Goucher and his wife, Mary Fisher, Goucher College has been committed to delivering an excellent liberal arts education. Originally, named the Woman’s College of Baltimore City was located in downtown Baltimore. The college was renamed after the Gouchers in 1910 and relocated in 1954 to a 287-acre wooded campus in Towson, MD, just eight miles north of the heart of the city. The College has been coeducational since 1986 and, in 2006, committed to sending all of its students to study abroad.

MISSION: Goucher College provides an innovative liberal arts education that prepares students with a broad, humane perspective for a life of inquiry, creativity, critical and analytical thinking.

VISION: A top-100 national liberal arts college known for offering a transformational education that delivers graduates who can solve complex problems within a diverse, global community.

Baltimore County, MD:

Baltimore County is a great place to live, work, and play! With nationally recognized public schools, 20 colleges in the region, abundant recreational opportunities, and tight-knit communities, Baltimore County has something for everyone. Located in Maryland’s geographic center, Baltimore County surrounds the city of Baltimore, which was split off as an independent city in 1851. The county is the largest jurisdiction in the metropolitan area, with a population of more than 800,000. Baltimore County and its county seat, Towson, form a diverse business community located centrally along I-95 and the East Coast market. With 612 square miles of land and a deep-water port, Baltimore County has the third-largest land area, the third-largest population, and the second-highest number of jobs in Maryland. The county consistently receives AAA bond ratings from Moody’s Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor’s. Less than 1% of all jurisdictions in the nation receive the highest rating from all agencies. And don’t forget, Baltimore County is just a short drive from Baltimore City’s famed Inner Harbor as well as Washington, D.C.

Application and Nomination Process: All correspondence relating to the position of Director of Student Financial Services should be directed in confidence to the College’s executive recruitment consultant:

Mr. Jamie Marcus, Senior Associate Vice President

Scott Healy & Associates

jamiemarcus@scotthealy.com

All Applications Must Contain the Following Items:

1) A cover letter outlining your experience and expertise as it relates to The Position;

2) A complete resume highlighting your career in higher education and educational credentials; 

3) The names of five professional references including their relationship to you, their position, email, and direct phone numbers. (References will not be contacted without written permission.)

Applications submitted by Friday, September 24, 2021, will receive priority consideration. This search will remain open until the position is filled.

Goucher College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, sex, age, disability, marital status or genetic information in its programs and activities. The college has adopted a Nondiscrimination Policy.