The Associate Director of Student Financial Services Operations is a strategic and technical leader responsible for advancing student financial assistance operations at the Community College of Rhode Island. This role serves as a connector across the department's service functions, One-Stop, IT, and others, a systems strategist, and a problem-solver focused on equity, access, and student success. The Associate Director will lead the Implementation and optimization of key Initiatives, including…
the Workforce Pell Act, Project ClearPay, Project Connect, and Achieving the Dream, while supporting the transition to a new Financial Services Service Model. They will support both credit and noncredit student enrollment, persistence, and completion by leading operational excellence in financial aid processing, fund management, and systems management.
*This job may be open to CCRI's work from home policy which allows 1-2 days remote per week subject to manager approval and successful onboarding.*
Work Schedule:
Some days, evenings, and weekends required. Frequent travel to each campus.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Commitment to CCRl's Mission:
- Demonstrate a commitment to the philosophy and mission of a comprehensive community college
- Work collaboratively in a diverse, inclusive and student-centered environment, with students of various learning styles, cultures, Identities, and life-experiences
- Work collaboratively with others and provide quality customer service in a diverse and inclusive environment
Strategic Leadership & Innovation
- Lead the design and execution of financial aid strategies aligned with institutional goals and student success initiatives through system optimization and process creation
- Serve as a thought partner In the Implementation of the Workforce Pell Act and other federal and state funding innovations.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support Project ClearPay and Project Connect, ensuring seamless Integration with financial aid systems and student services.
- Supervise Financial Aid Counselors and support the SFS Operations Team and Student Accounts by cultivating a collaborative, inclusive, and accountable team environment.
- Hire, train, evaluate, and support staff development, promoting professional growth and operational excellence.
- Assess and improve operational workflows across Financial Aid Operations, identifying opportunities for automation, efficiency, and compliance, including programs such as Work-Study and the Drop for Non Payment Process.
- Develop, document, and update operational procedures and deliver training in collaboration with Financial Aid leadership when regulatory, process, or system changes occur
Financial Aid Application Review and Awarding
- Lead and continuously improve processes for the daily import, review, and awarding of FAFSA and Alternative Aid applications, including federal verification and comment code resolution, ensuring timely and equitable distribution of financial aid.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations by maintaining current knowledge of guidance from Federal Student Aid, NASFAA, and integrating updates into operational workflows.
- Manage automated student communications and batch awarding processes to provide accurate, timely notifications regarding requirements, awards, and adjustments in Banner.
- Partner with the Associate Director of Student Financial Aid Services to address student inquiries, resolve complex issues, and identify opportunities to strengthen processes and the student experience.
Operational Excellence & Compliance
- Oversee the dally operations of financial aid processing
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations, Including Return to Title IV (R2T4) and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
- Manage the direct reconciliation and management of federal, state, and institutional financial aid funds, including Pell Grants, Direct Loans, SEOG, work-study, institutional grants, and scholarships, ensuring accuracy and regulatory compliance.
- Coordinate grant and loan origination and disbursement data exchanges through Federal Student Aid systems and monitor allocation of limited funds to maximize responsible use of resources.
- Ensure timely and compliant Return of Title IV calculations and serve as liaison with external institutions regarding transfer monitoring and overpayment resolution.
- Collaborate with Student Financial Services and Student Accounts to resolve financial aid-related issues affecting institutional and student accounts
Systems & Data Strategy
- Partner with IT and institutional research to develop data-informed solutions, dashboards, and predictive models that support financial aid optimization.
- Lead testing, implementation, and enhancement of system upgrades and patches.
- Provide advanced leadership in the effective use of Banner and related financial aid systems to ensure data integrity, accurate processing, and operational efficiency.
- Maintain expert knowledge of FAFSA data integration to support seamless system functionality and accurate awarding.
- Coordinate system-related responsibilities within the team to ensure timely completion of projects and continuous improvement of automated processes
Student-Centered Service Model
- Support the transition to a Financial Services Service Model that integrates financial aid, bursar, and One-stop functions enhancing BANNER processes to optimize service to both students and campus partners
- Support the financial literacy and FAFSA completion initiatives, including the FAFSA Ambassador Program.
- Provide high-touch support to students navigating complex financial aid scenarios.
Collaboration & Capacity Building
- Act as a liaison with One-Stop, Controller's Office, and external partners.
- Train and mentor staff on system patches, screens and process compliance, and student engagement strategies.
- Contribute to the development of policies and procedures that promote equity, efficiency, and innovation.
Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in financial aid operations and systems.
- Demonstrated experience with student information systems and federal aid platforms.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Commitment to equity, access, and student success.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree
- Experience implementing large-scale financial aid initiatives or service model transformations.
- Familiarity with Achieving the Dream or similar student success frameworks