Executive Director, Student Financial Services

Harold Washington College

City Colleges of Chicago

City Colleges of Chicago’s vision is to be recognized as the city’s most accessible higher education engine of socioeconomic mobility and racial equity – empowering all Chicagoans to take part in building a stronger and more just city. The community college system’s more than 3,500 faculty and staff serve more than 70,000 students annually at seven colleges and five satellite sites.

Primary Objective

Reporting to the Vice President of Finance and Operations, the Executive Director—Student Financial Services is responsible for the college-wide administration of federal and state financial aid, ensuring responsive and accurate policies and procedures that comply with regulatory agencies. This position ensures an exceptional customer service environment for students and prospective students.

The Executive Director—Student Financial Services works with District and college administration to strategically plan for the effective outreach, management, and compliance efforts and initiatives in order to achieve financial literacy and ensure student success. The position also works collaboratively to provide leadership, vision, and strategic direction for all financial aid operations at the college. Performs related duties as required.

Essential Duties

• Supervises financial aid staff, both union and non-union, including hiring, training, performance monitoring, disciplinary action, and development.
• Develops, facilitates, implements, and monitors financial aid, internal and external scholarships, and veteran benefits policies and procedures in a manner that is compliant with federal and state regulations and City Colleges of Chicago policies.
• Collaborates with student services offices, faculty, and College and District administration to ensure the financial aid office’s complete alignment with institutional goals. Participates in annual planning and budgeting for the financial aid office.
• Collaborates with District to ensure academic programs are appropriately evaluated and submitted for approval for federal student aid and veteran’s benefits. Advises academic departments on program eligibility for Title IV financial aid programs.
• Develops and oversees financial aid presentations and workshops for current and prospective students, community-based organizations, and other CCC partners. Works strategically to build and strengthen relationships between the college and the community in order to encourage enrollment and increase retention.
• Oversees the processing of institutional and external scholarships including the coordination of the college scholarship committee, and review of applicant eligibility.
• Develops educational programs representing financial literacy and support services to provide internal and external stakeholders the financial capability to achieve educational goals, financial stability and long-term financial health.
• Cultivates mutually supportive relationships with various leaders in high schools, community-based organizations, and four-year institutions.
• Develops, refines, and executes strategies and processes pertaining to community outreach for financial literacy/education. Implements and improves community outreach and professional education efforts by serving as the central point of contact and executing outreach initiatives.

Reporting Relationships

Reports To: Dean of Enrollment Management

Direct Supervision: Assistant Director of Financial Aid, College Financial Aid Advisor I & II, Student Workers

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, Higher Education Administration or a related field from an accredited college or university. Master’s degree preferred.
• Ten years of progressively responsible experience in business, financial aid, financial compliance, and community outreach, including a minimum of five years of supervisory experience.
• Expert knowledge of state and federal regulations that govern cash management, financial aid, and military and veteran educational benefits as well as resources available to ensure compliance with governmental and institutional standards.
• Proficient knowledge of software used to process financial aid and veteran benefits, including Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), Student Aid Internet Gateway (SAIG), VA Once, Go Army Portal, FAA Access to Chicago Public Schools Online, and the E-App.
• Demonstrated experience with internal and external audits, including responding to findings and developing an improvement plan and appropriate controls to prevent repeat findings.
• Demonstrated excellent supervisory, administrative, communication, interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Experience employing varying styles, approaches, skills, and techniques that reflect an understanding and acceptance of the role of culture in a diverse, multicultural learning environment and workplace.

Salary Range: $92,866 - 95,000

Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as other factors such as internal equity.

Benefits information is found at Health and Benefits - City Colleges of Chicago

We offer: Excellent health and welfare benefit package and long-term savings and investment programs including 403(b) & 457(b) Investment Plans and a pension plan with the State University Retirement System (SURS) Plan. Generous vacation, holiday, personal and sick days, and tuition reimbursement. For a more detailed overview of benefits, please visit the benefits page of our website.

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Chicago residency is required for all full-time employees within 6 months of hire.