Senior Director of Student Financial Services

Description

Job Summary

The Senior Director of Student Financial Services is responsible for the oversight of the Student Accounts and Financial Aid processes at Methodist University.   The position ensures compliance with all federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations, policies, and procedures and is responsible for the administration of staff and programs that assist students with billing, financial aid applications, and receipt of federal, state, local and institutional funds that make it financially possible for them to attend the University.  This position will have a priority focus on the continual improvement of customer services and communications for the department.

Core Duties and Responsibilities 

• Hire, train, and strategically lead professional and student staff to provide excellent service and accurate processing of financial aid and billing services.
• Provide leadership, supervision, and oversight for direct report positions of the Director of Student Accounts and Director of Financial Aid.  
• Provide on-going training and support to ensure staff development growth and increased knowledge of institutional, state, and federal guidelines.
• Collaborate with offices of the Registrar, OneStop, Global Education, Military and Veterans Affairs, and Admissions and others to streamline interdepartmental processes within the University.
• Develop and review office procedures maximizing accuracy, efficiency, productivity and customer service.
• Coordinate installation, setup, and operation of various software systems used in the Student Financial Services Office.
• Develop and implement awarding and packaging policies to support enrollment goals and maximize the utilization of funds.
• Develop forms and publications to notify students of financial aid awards and procedures.
• Manage the counseling and financial advising for students and their families.
• Work with other university offices to prepare invoice information for students (i.e. OneStop, Admissions, Accounting, Registration, Retention, Housing).
• Coordinate authorization of financial aid funds to be disbursed to student accounts.
• Work with enrollment management team and third-party vendor to determine strategic financial aid awarding policy metrices each year.
• Create and provide data and/or reports on university operations for tracking and evaluation.
• Monitor students’ eligibility of financial aid funds.
• Attend federal, state, and professional financial aid and student billing information and training conferences.
• Keep current on federal and state financial aid programs, including interpretation, implementation, and compliance regulations, procedures and eligibility requirements.
• Develop consumer information and provide to students as required by federal regulation.
• Oversee annual FISAP (Fiscal Operations and Application for Funds) Report for U.S. Department of Education with assistance from Accounting and Registrar’s Offices.
• Oversee and coordinate with auditors in providing data for the preparation of annual reports and provide information and answer questions for annual and special audits.
• Working closely with the Associate Provost for Student Success, lead out strategies to increase student persistence and retention, including the implementation of successful registration campaigns and supportive interventions for students at risk
• Prepare and maintain departmental budgets
• Ensure ongoing communication and collaboration between all academic support services staff and the deans, chairs, division heads, and faculty in the academic departments
• Coordinate support services for clearance, serving as key liaison with Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and Registrar offices 
• Plan and provide regular training and professional development programming to the academic and career advising team
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education, Experience, and Essential Skills 

• Bachelor’s degree and five years of managerial experience in higher education financial aid/student accounts or five years of financial aid/student accounts experience with progressive levels of responsibility in a higher education financial aid or student accounts office.
• Proven track record of excellent leadership, team management, project management, and decision-making skills 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills  
• Proficiency with online tools, resources, and a commitment to continuously improving services to students 
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities and work independently 
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the institution and with external partners 
• Well-developed sense of professional ethics
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
• Proven proficiency using technology in higher education, including a student information system
• Ability to understand and analyze data to inform strategy
• Occasional travel