"Director, Student Financial Services"

Job Title Summary

Job Title: Director, Student Financial Services

Division: Enrollment and Marketing

Evaluation Group: Staff Administrator

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports To: Associate Vice President, Student Financial Services

Positions Supervised: Online Financial Aid Advisor; Financial Aid Advisor; Financial Aid Team Lead

Job Summary

The director for student financial services (SFS) is responsible for planning, organizing, and supervising of all SFS functions. This position administers federal, state, and institutional financial aid funds and services; oversees standard financial aid duties, such as verification, loan processing, professional judgment decisions, and satisfactory academic progress monitoring; and assures adherence to all compliance regulations. The director also oversees some facets of student accounts.

Essential Job Functions and Performance Indicators

The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and level of responsibility that will be required of positions given this title. This job description shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Job Responsibilities and Execution

• Develops and executes departmental vision that addresses student financial concerns, as well as emphasizes and promotes retention and graduation rates
• Implements new policies and procedures related to external and internal regulations and rule changes, ensuring staff are trained accordingly
• Adheres to the net tuition revenue budget by ensuring strategic utilization of institutional funds
• Establishes and maintains the student information system in order to automate and streamline SFS processes and communications
• Reviews and updates the Electronic Application for Approval to Participate in Federal Student Financial Aid Programs (E-APP) and Eligibility and Certification Approval Report (ECAR) as necessary for institutional participation in Title IV funds
• Establishes criteria for clearing students financially for check-in processes
• Monitors student accounts receivables to ensure timely collection from current students
• Updates and monitors the financial aid web page for changes and/or updates
• Works with members of the University community on items of compliance, federal and state regulations, and NCAA Division I regulations
• Coordinates student communications with the Bursar’s Office, Admissions, Student Accounts, and other student services offices
• Ensures timely and accurate aid awarding, disbursement, and reconciliation

Leadership and Strategic Thinking

• Establishes long- and short-term strategic goals based on assessment data and ensures standards for the department and its field are met or exceeded
• Adapts and modifies leadership based on new information and/or data; works to set and unite people on the new direction
• Utilizes effective strategies to build collaboration for maximum execution
• Aligns division/department purpose and actions with relevant University initiatives and higher education trends
• Works with campus leadership to ensure financial strategies are in place to promote enrollment and maximize tuition revenue
• Assists in identifying areas of improvement and acts as a change agent
• Conducts regular financial analysis to assist with forecasting and predictive modeling

Employee Management and Development

• Supports the mission of the University and serves as an ambassador of the Q2 culture of service excellence
• Models, supports, and holds others accountable to the University’s values and Enrollment and Marketing Team Culture
• Recruits, interviews, recommends, welcomes, observes, and monitors performance of department staff
• Sets clear performance expectations and holds employees accountable
• Conducts annual employee evaluations based on evidence, observation, and feedback
• Provides autonomy and resources to support and enable staff to meet job expectations

Required Qualifications – An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered. Additional requirements may be designated by position.

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of 5 years’ leadership experience in the area of student finance
• Experience with Student Financial Services Model preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – May be representative, but not all inclusive, of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform this job competently

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures
• Excellent analytical skills to allow for accurate reporting and analysis of data on financial aid leveraging and institutional methodology awarding
• Ability to generate and interpret ad hoc data reports for use by internal and external groups related to financial services, financial aid programs, discount rates, etc.
• Working knowledge of enrollment management best practices
• Ability to interpret and implement federal, state, and institutional awarding rules
• Familiarity with NCAA Division I athletics financial aid compliance regulations
• Ability to coordinate with other departments
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with staff and students
• Highly organized and able to direct multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong professional integrity and ability to maintain strict confidentiality
• Ability to use good judgment and think critically
• Proficient in general office software, particularly Microsoft Office Suite and financial aid proprietary applications (Anthology, Workday, Common Origination and Disbursement [COD], and National Student Loan Data System [NSLDS])

Work Environment – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of this job’s functions. Please click here to view Lindenwood University’s flexible work designation descriptions.

• General office setting
• Fully Remote
• Designated quiet, distraction-free workspace with reliable, high-speed internet and camera for video calls
• Considerable phone and computer time, utilizing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) system

Physical Abilities – The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform this job’s essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to work effectively at a computer for extended time daily
• Adequately mobile to attend meetings and events on campus
• Ability to use repetitive wrist, hand, and finger movements to type regularly
• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function