Executive Director, Scholarships and Student Financial Support

The job holder is responsible for leading and overseeing the strategic management of all operations of this office’s comprehensive programs that support more than 40 percent of The American University in Cairo’s (AUC) undergraduate and 70 percent of graduate students. These programs include the determination and packaging of institutional and federal financial aid, and budget forecasts and developing and overseeing budgeting, administration and reporting of all scholarships, endowments, federal grants and student financial affairs. He/she supports the University’s goals of attracting the best and brightest student talent, regardless of their ability to pay. The job holder leads efforts in improving federal financial aid programs covering default management efforts, federal loans and institutional compliance for all federal and institutional financial aid programs. He/she develops strategic policies and procedures to streamline all undergraduate scholarship operations while overseeing the implementation of all university endowed, named, institutional scholarship programs, and sponsored US State Department Programs including outreach, recruitment and selection, monitoring and evaluation and financial and technical reporting to various sponsors. Also, communicates with current and potential donors, develops and implements annual plans and participates in outreach to external stakeholders. He/she provides vision and direction to streamline business processes, improve utilization of technology in financial aid, enhance student-centered service delivery and institutionalize a culture of operational efficiency and excellence.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the team to develop and implement the office of student financial affairs and scholarships strategic plan ensuring its alignment with AUC strategic goals
• Lead and manage a team of professionals working towards achieving the goals and objectives of the donors and AUC
• Develop plans for team professional development
• Lead critical efforts to ensure successful recertification of AUC’s application for Title IV Funds with the US Department of Education
• Oversee the annual audits for the federal financial aid management
• Lead the improvement plans and the administration and delivery of federal financial aid including developing federal financial aid policies and procedures and consumer page on the AUC website while ensuring US compliance requirements
• Develop analytical reports to inform strategies, goals and decisions
• Develop and monitor undergraduate and graduate financial aid budget, federal and non-federal scholarship budgets and submit reports and proposed modifications. Develop financial aid outreach initiatives and employ strategies that positively impact recruitment, strategic enrollment management, and retention of students
• Provide oversight and guidance to the financial aid planning and operational services and processes including; designing and receiving financial aid applications, reviewing petitions, interviewing parents and/or students, and sharing decisions regarding individual cases. Lead financial aid awarding and packaging of federal financial aid for undergraduate and graduate students
• Ensure that students are aware of their eligibility for financial aid and/or scholarships via visible and clear systems for announcing opportunities, and for collecting and evaluating applications
• Lead and manage USAID and US State Department multi-year grants including the USAID Scholar’s Programs respectively and develop program goals and objectives
• Oversee the administration of the Al Ghurair Foundation STEM Scholarships targeting Egyptian and MENA region students, and the Egyptian Public School Scholarship Fund
• Ensure the effective promotion of the Universities Scholarship and Financial Aid programs to students, parents, school counselors and others by coordinating with the Office of Admissions and the Office of Marketing and Communications and academic departments
• Oversee the development and submission of accurate and timely technical and quarterly financial reports of federal grants and prepare statistical and analytical reports and budgets to AUC and to non-federal scholarships’ donors or sponsors
• Develop and document new policies and procedures, follow through systems to ensure accurate implementation and understanding, and ensure alignment with donor regulations as well as accurate/proper documentation of procedures
• Develop scholarship program proposals and budgets in response to Request For Applications (RFAs) or Request For Proposals (RFPs)of international, regional and local donors in cooperation with Office of Sponsored Programs
• Act as a liaison and build/maintain strong relations with different internal and external departments and organizations. Make recommendations on financial aid awards to the associate provost for enrollment management
• Performs additional duties as assigned

Requirements:

Minimum Education Requirements:

· Bachelor’s degree in economics, business administration, accounting, finance or related fields

· Master’s degree in economics, business administration, accounting, finance, public administration or related fields is preferable

Experience:

· Minimum of 20 years of relevant professional experience, including 10 years in senior leadership position in an education institution or funding agency

· Proven track record of scholarship management experience

· Experience in project design and proposal development

· Experience with USAID procurement

· Ability to balance sensitive political and cultural issues and develop a broad base of working relationships

· Extensive network with local and international Non-Governmental Organizations communities; donors and sponsors

· Experience in US Federal Loans and Title IV Funds

· Experience in strategic planning and leadership

· Experience in leading organizational change management

Skills:

· Strong financial management skills, organizational and leadership skills

· Sound business development skills and experience in marketing educational and student scholarship programs

· Sound professional judgement in dealing with critical financial aid cases

• Strong computer skills
• Fluency in English
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills