"Director of Financial Aid"

Full job description

Description

Director of Financial Aid

Salary: $102,676 - $115,511

Classification: Administrative/Exempt

Reports to: Associate Vice President of Student Services

The Director of Financial Aid at Olympic College is instrumental in transforming student lives through the promotion of equity and by closing achievement gaps. This position oversees critical functions of the institution, including the administration of federal and state student aid programs across all three campuses, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. The role involves leading the financial aid office in strategic planning, policy implementation, and program development, all while aligning with the college's mission, vision, and values. Key responsibilities include managing the financial aid process, verifying student information, determining award types and amounts, and coordinating the distribution of awards, scholarships, and funding. Additionally, the Director collaborates with Business Services for financial aid disbursement and reconciliation, provides outreach and educational support to high schools and community agencies, and ensures accurate data collection and reporting for compliance and accreditation.

This position significantly supports Olympic College's mission by fostering a learning-centered climate and promoting diversity. The Director leads the financial aid team through supervision, training, and evaluation, and develops relationships with external stakeholders to enhance financial literacy and education. By implementing best practices, the role aims to increase efficiency and improve customer service. Collaboration with enrollment services ensures seamless financial aid processes, contributing to the college's commitment to improving student success and fostering an inclusive, equitable environment.

Essential Functions

• Policy Implementation: Develop, monitor, and assess financial aid policies and procedures to promote access and equity, enhance efficiency, improve customer service, implement best practices, and ensure compliance.
• Interpret and implement federal, state and institutional financial aid regulations and policies.
• Customer Service: Provide excellent, responsive service to all internal and external constituents, including prospective, current, and former students, parents, staff, and others.
• Financial Aid Administration: Oversee the administration of the financial aid process, including verifying student information, determining award types and amounts, coordinating applications, and timely distribution of awards, scholarships, and state and federal funding. Manage and reconcile federal and state work-study programs and student loans, coordinate disbursement and reconciliation with Business Services, and oversee special programs (e.g., Worker Retraining, Work First, BFET). This position manages approximately $17 million annually in federal and state disbursements to students, including Pell grants, loans, SEOG, FWS, SWS, scholarships, and disbursements for programs such as Opportunity Grant, WorkFirst, Worker Retraining, and BFET.
• Fiscal Integrity: Maintain and supervise the integrity of the Colleges financial aid accounts and manage a robust system of internal controls and documentation to safeguard resources and mitigate risk. Ensure adherence to State, Federal and other relevant standards and requirements in fiscal and accounting system controls.
• Outreach and Collaboration: Collaborate with high schools, the Olympic College community, and other state and local agencies to provide outreach and educational support.
• Data Management: Coordinate, prepare, monitor, and ensure accurate financial aid data collection and reporting for internal and external sources, in line with assessment, accreditation, and compliance requirements. Specifically, oversee the preparation and submission of required federal and state reports, including FISAP and IPEDS. Conduct in-depth analysis of complex financial aid data as well as intricate financial aid reports, to identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Budget Management: Manage and report on the department budget and resources as authorized by the Associate Vice President of Student Services.
• Staff Leadership: Support and lead financial aid staff through supervision, training, and evaluation. Develop and monitor staff professional development plans and provide training and support for campus and community partners as needed.
• Systems Coordination: Coordinate financial aid systems and software required to manage and administer federal and state financial aid. Lead continuous improvement efforts, integrating technology and best practices to streamline financial aid processes.
• Additional Duties: Assist the Associate Vice President of Student Services as necessary and perform other related duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor degree in a related field (business, education, public administration).
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration.
• Supervisory experience in a higher education setting.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Title IV regulations and Washington State aid.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree
• Experience with community colleges or open-access institutions.
• Familiarity with PeopleSoft/ctcLink.
• Experience with strategic planning and data analysis.

Additional Information

Please note that we are unable to sponsor visas for this position. Only candidates who are currently authorized to work in the United States will be considered. This is a full-time exempt position scheduled to work Monday through Friday. The salary for this position is $102,676 - $115,511 annually, which includes a generous benefits package that includes the following. Medical/vision, dental, long-term disability, life insurance, and accidental dismemberment, Flexible Spending Arrangement, Dependent Care Assistance Program, Wellness Programs, SBRP retirement plan administered by TIAA, Deferred Compensation Program (DRS) retirement savings plan; TIAA supplemental retirement savings plan, 11 paid holidays, leave – vacation/sick/personal holiday, Aflac, auto/home insurance, space available tuition waiver, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), fitness center, reduced rate and priority consideration on-site child care on a space available. For more information regarding benefits, please visit our website here.

Conditions of Employment

• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position. In addition to the background check, candidates will be required to complete the Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Form as required WB HB 2327.
• Olympic College seeks candidates for employment who share our commitment to fostering an equitable and inclusive learning environment (read our Equity Statement). All applicants are required to submit a statement of 500 words or less, describing the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the higher education environment and their prior, current, and/or potential contribution(s) to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion as an employee.
• The employee must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance of the campus to respond to workplace reporting requirements at the time of hire. Frequent travel to Olympic College campuses or other sites may occur.

How To Apply

To be considered for this position a candidate must apply online through the Olympic College website and submit the following required materials: Olympic College Online Application, Resume, Cover Letter - in your cover letter describe how your experience sets you apart for this position., Unofficial college transcripts. Official transcripts and copies of mandated certifications will be required of the successful candidate.

EEO Statement

Olympic College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, or status as a veteran of war. Olympic College provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Federal Rehabilitation Act. The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination and accommodation policies: HRticket@olympic.edu. This recruitment announcement does not reflect the entire job description and can be changed or modified without notice. *Please mention you saw this ad on CommunityCollegeJobs.*

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