Director of Financial Aid

About Christian Brothers University:

CBU is committed to creating and maintaining a rigorous and enriching learning experience for our students by providing them the best instruction and support by a superior faculty and staff. CBU encourages opportunities to celebrate diversity in an environment that prepares our students to be global citizens. CBU is an attractive and safe campus environment, and it is quite possibly one of the friendliest campuses anywhere.

If you would like to contribute to these hallmarks of a CBU education, please consider applying for our faculty or staff vacancies through these current employment opportunities.

Job Description:

The Director of Financial Aid is a critical position within the Christian Brothers University (CBU) organization, serving as a strategic partner for the Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management, overseeing and administering a robust financial aid program that consists of federal, state and endowed funds. As the chief financial aid administrator, this position provides direction and supervision of all financial aid operations, while being mindful of maintaining a service-oriented Financial Aid office. This includes ensuring that CBU maintains eligibility of all financial aid programs, while providing critical financial aid information to students and families. The Director will serve as the primary supervisor for the receipt, evaluation and approval of all aid programs, establishing procedures and maintaining key documentation to ensure effectiveness and efficiency with our financial aid management systems. The chosen candidate will have a keen eye for detail and be proficient in executing key financial aid reports, as well as any ad hoc reporting related to the office to ensure the University's use of funds complies with all federal and state regulations. Equally important, this position will seek to develop and maintain critical internal and external relationships as an effort to ensure the CBU's enrollment goals.

Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions):

• Provide strategic leadership to the financial aid office team to effectively serve prospective and current students and families within all student populations with a high level of customer service in a fast-paced, mission-centered and fully compliant environment.
• Provide leadership using available technology solutions (Slate, Banner, ARGOS, etc.), and evaluate emerging technologies to improve daily operations, fully comply with relevant federal and state regulations, and commit fully to continuously improve customer service to all constituents.
• Maintain accountability for internal and external audits related to financial aid programs. This includes managing the collection, analysis and reporting of statistical data related to distribution of aid, including but not limited to FISAP.
• Maintain confidentiality of student aid records in compliance with FERPA regulations.
• In partnership with the Vice President for Enrollment Management, Director of Admissions, and Director of Marketing, develop an enrollment management strategy to leverage the use of institutional financial aid and effective communication strategies for prospective students and parents. Such communications include ensuring that financial aid is seen as a critical component of the recruitment, yield and retention of students.
• Direct and lead an effective marketing and communication strategy for the Financial Aid office, including both print and electronic communications, to inform and update all matters related to financial aid. This will include communicating key updates, addendums or changes regarding critical federal, state and institutional financial aid information for prospective and returning students and families, and applicable CBU stakeholders (as needed).
• Maintain and advance the partnership between the CBU Financial Aid office, Admissions and Business Office to achieve an effective billing and communication strategy, specific to providing a strong narrative around financial literacy.
• Responsible for the end of semester review of student grades to determine status of student Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards and work collaboratively with the Office of Student Success to support all student appeals.
• Develop, implement and revise policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, regulations and University policies related to financial aid and scholarships.
• Partner with Advancement, Business Office, and Information Technology to manage and award restricted and endowed scholarship funds.
• Provide an analysis of financial aid and admission data while being mindful of key trends to manage all components of the institutional financial aid budget, working closely with the Vice President for Enrollment Management, CFO and Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration, and Athletic Director to model use of all restricted and non-restricted funds within the CBU operating budget to ensure maximum net tuition revenue.
• Analyze statistical data from both internal and external sources.
• Develop and conduct financial aid presentations and participate in recruitment outreach activities, such as Preview Days, Accepted Student Days, New Student Orientations and financial aid workshops, etc.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the preparation of detailed reports at the executive level and be a competent and effective public speaker.
• Represent the financial aid office on various campus committees as needed.
• Maintain and manage a strong working environment through the leadership, hiring, supervision, training, and development of office staff.
• Oversee and manage the departmental operational budget.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required. Advanced degree preferred.
• Must have 5-8 years of progressive experience in financial aid and its administrative operations, as well as supervisory duties. Experience with Banner programs in Student and Financial modules is desired.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to develop and enhance cross-functional systems with key University positions.
• Effective organizational skills required, along with the ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented and goal-centered environment.
• Must work with discretion in handling highly sensitive and confidential information.
• Overall proficient skill-level in Microsoft Office, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email, and basic computer concepts.
• Promote a professional appearance and attitude and engage in behaviors that create an inclusive environment in which all people are valued and supported.
• Ability to work well with a diverse population and possess a skill-set to resolve difficult issues.

Additional Information:

Christian Brothers University is a Catholic university in the student-centered tradition of the De La Salle Christian Brothers. CBU fosters academic excellence in a range of programs to prepare students from all faiths and backgrounds for careers and lives informed by the Lasallian values of faith, service, and community.

Christian Brothers University offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending, retirement pension plan, 403(b), and both undergraduate and graduate tuition waiver plans. CBU also offers tuition waivers for dependents of employees and participates in the Tuition Exchange Program, a reciprocal scholarship exchange program for family members of full-time faculty and staff.

Christian Brothers University offers equal employment opportunity to all applicants for employment, regardless of sex, age, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin or disability.

Application Instructions:

Please complete the online application and provide a cover letter, resume/CV, and the names and contact information of three references with your application.