What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director Of Financial Aid position at Southern Oregon University?
Southern Oregon University
POSITION SUMMARY:
Date application must be received for priority consideration by: April 14, 2025
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date: May 1, 2025
Closing Date or if blank, Open Until Filled:
Job Family Group: Administrative and Professional
Division/Department: Academic and Student Affairs/Financial Aid
Compensation Range (commensurate with experience) $85,000 - $95,500 annually
FLSA Status: Exempt
Appointment Basis: 12-month
Time Type: Full-time
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Renewable/Non-renewable/Grants/Limited Duration: Renewable
This position must possess and maintain a current, valid Driver License: Yes
This position is designated as a critical, security-sensitive or safety-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Criminal Background Check: Yes
Lead Work/Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes
Work Location Type: On-campus
Work Hours: M-F (8:00a - 5:00p) Hours are subject to change with notice.
Worker Status: Must be able to legally work in the United States without visa sponsorship
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT:
Each applicant is required to provide (as attachments to the online application) the following supplemental documents: (1) a letter providing some detail of the applicant's qualifications and interest in the position; and (2) current resume/CV. - PLEASE NOTE - during the application process, you will be prompted to attach these documents in the area titled "Resume." Please either combine ALL documents into ONE attachment, OR upload each item separately in this section. Failure to upload ALL of the required documents may disqualify application from consideration.
For inquiries and additional information, please contact Human Resource Services via email at hrs@sou.edu or by phone at (541)552-8553.
To view SOU's very generous benefits and pension programs available to eligible positions, please visit https://inside.sou.edu/assets/hrs/Benefits/Benefit_Flyer/2024_Prospective_Candidate_Benefit_Overview_012024.pdf
Our benefits package is an important complement to the offered salary and our Total Compensation Calculator, https://inside.sou.edu/hrs/comp-calc.html , demonstrates our value and commitment to our employees.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The Director of Student Financial Aid reports to the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Services and is responsible for the comprehensive administration of Title IV programs, state student assistance, and institutional aid programs. This role oversees the development, implementation, delivery, and assessment of student financial aid services, aligning these functions with institutional enrollment goals. The Director fosters a student-centered environment, emphasizing service excellence and customer service while supporting student recruitment, retention, and financial literacy initiatives.
The Director serves as a key member of the Strategic Enrollment Management team, contributing innovative and creative approaches to leveraging student aid and collaborating across departments to support institutional objectives. This position requires a collaborative, innovative, and student-centered leader dedicated to supporting student success and institutional enrollment goals. The ideal candidate will demonstrate creativity, humility, a sense of humor, and a commitment to student success.
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor's degree in education, finance, or a related field.
Five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in higher education financial aid administration.
Three (3) years of supervisory experience, including managing union and non-union employees.
Proficiency in MS Office Suite, document imaging systems, databases, customer relationship management (CRM) software, and related applications.
Experience with Banner.
Ability to interpret federal and state financial aid regulations.
Preferred Requirements
Master's degree.
NASFAA credentialing.
Engagement with professional organizations such as NASFAA, SASFAA, and/or TASFAA.
Experience with Workday Student.
Essential Functions
Duties - The following examples are typical work activities that are meant to illustrate the general range of work functions and are not meant to be all-inclusive or restrictive:
(30%) Leadership
Lead a welcoming, inclusive, and student-focused environment that supports students and families in navigating the financial aid process.
Supervise, train, and develop staff, ensuring cross-training and professional growth.
Manage daily office operations and oversee staff performance.
Collaborate with campus stakeholders to align financial aid services with institutional recruitment and retention goals.
Exercise professional judgment for families experiencing significant changes in financial circumstances.
Serve on institutional committees and engage in collaborative projects.
(35%) Compliance and Reporting
Prepare federal, state, and institutional reports, including FISAP, IPEDS, Gainful Employment, and Title III applications.
Oversee Return to Title IV (R2T4) processes, verification, SAP monitoring, and loan default management.
Maintain compliance with consumer disclosure requirements and federal/state regulations.
Participate in audits and coordinate with the Controller's Office to resolve audit findings.
Manage the census roster reporting in conjunction with the Registrar.
Manage data integration with internal systems and external partners, including the Department of Education and third-party servicers.
Monitor student loan defaults and assist with due diligence requirements for delinquent borrowers.
Oversee required Entrance and Exit Interviews for all borrowers; maintain, evaluate, and disseminate information on alternative financing options through other organizations.
Supervise the preparation, verification, and distribution of award letters for all federal need-based and institutionally funded recipients, maintaining both program and individual student files.
(25%) Strategic Planning
Utilize technology and best practices in financial aid to enhance student engagement and enrollment outcomes.
Collaborate with the Controller's Office on budget forecasting, modeling, and discount rate strategies.
Conduct data analysis and projections to optimize aid distribution and budget management.
Evaluate and adjust student cost of attendance budgets based on local economic data.
(10%) Student and Family Engagement
Provide individual counseling to students and families on financial aid topics, including FAFSA completion, borrowing options, and financial literacy.
Coordinate high school FAFSA presentations and participate in student registration sessions.
Develop and deliver communication across multiple channels to support students and families through the financial aid process.
Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
Excellent communication skills; demonstrated ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner, both verbally and in writing.
Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism to effectively handle a broad range of sensitive interpersonal situations.
Demonstrated ability to interpret and consistently apply a wide variety of complex policies and procedures where specific guidelines may not always exist.
Expressed ability to work with frequent changes in policies and procedures, under pressure of deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Strong analytical and research skills; demonstrated ability to gather, evaluate, and to develop well-reasoned conclusions and recommendations.
Demonstrated ability to proactively assess work operations and anticipate potential problems; ability to develop and implement strategies for preventing/resolving problems.
Great ability to effectively perform work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature that requires access to information. Must be able to exercise sound judgment and discretion, tact, and diplomacy.
Takes initiative in independently planning, organizing, and performing work assignments within broadly defined parameters
Demonstrated ability to work with a high level of productivity and accuracy/attention to detail.
Excellent organizational and time management skills with the demonstrated ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
Excellent computer skills and proficiency with a variety of computer applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, online systems, social media platforms, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
Demonstrated ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
Willingness to and work effectively in a heavily bureaucratic environment which requires regular interaction with a number of levels within the organization and multiple outside agencies.
Working knowledge or ability to quickly learn, university infrastructure, policies, and procedures.
Demonstrated ability to provide training and direction to student assistants.
Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment utilizing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
Strong leadership and staff development skills. Budget management and data analysis proficiency.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects effectively.
Expertise in federal and state financial aid regulations.
High level of customer service and conflict resolution skills.
Experience with institutional aid leveraging models and professional judgment.
Knowledge of financial aid as an enrollment management tool for recruitment and retention.
Commitment to professional development and continuous improvement.
Demonstrated experience in financial aid management, disbursement, and administration.
Experience using data to support strategic decision-making
Physical Demands
Normal office activities such as sitting/standing at a desk, using a computer, answering phones, and communicating in person both in writing and via phone with others. Works in a busy office environment with constant interruptions and demands.
Special Conditions
Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
Must be able to work additional hours and adjust working hours to meet special jobs. May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.
Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment background check.
This position classification has been defined as exempt and is not subject to the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
The person holding this position is considered a mandatory reporter under the Oregon Revised Statutes and is required to comply with the requirements set forth by the Oregon Department of Human Services.
_________________________
SOU is an equal access AA/EOE committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Southern Oregon University will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of accommodation in order to provide access to the application, interviewing, and selection process. You are not required to note the presence of a disability on this application. If, however, you require a reasonable accommodation in the application and/or interview process due to disability, requests must be made in a timely manner to Human Resources.
Diversity Statement:
Southern Oregon University is a welcoming community committed to inclusive excellence and the celebration of diversity. Without diversity, our educational process is diminished. Working together in support of our commitment to diversity, we strengthen and enrich our role as learners, educators, and members of a tightly connected global community. We encourage those who share in our commitment to diversity, to join our community and we expect all our employees to demonstrate an ability and desire to create an inclusive campus community.
SOU Land Acknowledgement
We want to take this moment to acknowledge that Southern Oregon University is located within the ancestral homelands of the Shasta, Takelma, and Latgawa peoples who lived here since time immemorial. These Tribes were displaced during rapid Euro-American colonization, the Gold Rush, and armed conflict between 1851 and 1856. In the 1850s, the discovery of gold and settlement brought thousands of Euro-Americans to their lands, leading to warfare, epidemics, starvation, and villages being burned. In 1853 the first of several treaties were signed, confederating these Tribes and others together - who would then be referred to as the Rogue River Tribe. These treaties ceded most of their homelands to the United States, and in return, they were guaranteed a permanent homeland reserved for them. At the end of the Rogue River Wars in 1856, these Tribes and many other Tribes from western Oregon were removed to the Siletz Reservation and the Grand Ronde Reservation. Today, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon ( www.grandronde.org ) and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians ( www.ctsi.nsn.us ) are living descendants of the Takelma, Shasta, and Latgawa peoples of this area. We encourage YOU to learn about the land you reside on and to join us in advocating for the inherent sovereignty of Indigenous people.
Notice to Prospective Employees
Section 485 of the Higher Education Act, and The Federal Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 (now referred to as the "Clery Act"), require that prospective employees be notified of the availability of SOU's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report provides the annual statistics and campus policies for the reporting of and responding to campus crimes and fires; access to campus facilities; conduct code and campus policies on the use, possession, and sale of drugs/alcohol; and educational/information programs to inform the campus community about campus security procedures and crime prevention.
An electronic copy of the Annual Security Report (ASR) can be accessed at the following link: https://cps.sou.edu/clery-act-annual-security-report/ . A physical copy of the ASR is available at no charge upon request. To request a copy, please visit the Office of the General Counsel located in Churchill Hall, 1250 Siskiyou Boulevard, Ashland, Oregon 97520. For more information, call 541-552-7095, or email clerycoordinator@sou.edu .
To apply, please visit: https://sou.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Southern_Oregon_University/job/Southern-OregonAshland-Campus/Director-of-Financial-Aid_R0000593
jeid-05c8aba034cad845969ae967fa3ee87b
POSITION SUMMARY:
Date application must be received for priority consideration by: April 14, 2025
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date: May 1, 2025
Closing Date or if blank, Open Until Filled:
Job Family Group: Administrative and Professional
Division/Department: Academic and Student Affairs/Financial Aid
Compensation Range (commensurate with experience) $85,000 - $95,500 annually
FLSA Status: Exempt
Appointment Basis: 12-month
Time Type: Full-time
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Renewable/Non-renewable/Grants/Limited Duration: Renewable
This position must possess and maintain a current, valid Driver License: Yes
This position is designated as a critical, security-sensitive or safety-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Criminal Background Check: Yes
Lead Work/Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes
Work Location Type: On-campus
Work Hours: M-F (8:00a - 5:00p) Hours are subject to change with notice.
Worker Status: Must be able to legally work in the United States without visa sponsorship
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT:
Each applicant is required to provide (as attachments to the online application) the following supplemental documents: (1) a letter providing some detail of the applicant's qualifications and interest in the position; and (2) current resume/CV. - PLEASE NOTE - during the application process, you will be prompted to attach these documents in the area titled "Resume." Please either combine ALL documents into ONE attachment, OR upload each item separately in this section. Failure to upload ALL of the required documents may disqualify application from consideration.
For inquiries and additional information, please contact Human Resource Services via email at hrs@sou.edu or by phone at (541)552-8553.
To view SOU's very generous benefits and pension programs available to eligible positions, please visit https://inside.sou.edu/assets/hrs/Benefits/Benefit_Flyer/2024_Prospective_Candidate_Benefit_Overview_012024.pdf
Our benefits package is an important complement to the offered salary and our Total Compensation Calculator, https://inside.sou.edu/hrs/comp-calc.html , demonstrates our value and commitment to our employees.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The Director of Student Financial Aid reports to the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Services and is responsible for the comprehensive administration of Title IV programs, state student assistance, and institutional aid programs. This role oversees the development, implementation, delivery, and assessment of student financial aid services, aligning these functions with institutional enrollment goals. The Director fosters a student-centered environment, emphasizing service excellence and customer service while supporting student recruitment, retention, and financial literacy initiatives.
The Director serves as a key member of the Strategic Enrollment Management team, contributing innovative and creative approaches to leveraging student aid and collaborating across departments to support institutional objectives. This position requires a collaborative, innovative, and student-centered leader dedicated to supporting student success and institutional enrollment goals. The ideal candidate will demonstrate creativity, humility, a sense of humor, and a commitment to student success.
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor's degree in education, finance, or a related field.
Five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in higher education financial aid administration.
Three (3) years of supervisory experience, including managing union and non-union employees.
Proficiency in MS Office Suite, document imaging systems, databases, customer relationship management (CRM) software, and related applications.
Experience with Banner.
Ability to interpret federal and state financial aid regulations.
Preferred Requirements
Master's degree.
NASFAA credentialing.
Engagement with professional organizations such as NASFAA, SASFAA, and/or TASFAA.
Experience with Workday Student.
Essential Functions
Duties - The following examples are typical work activities that are meant to illustrate the general range of work functions and are not meant to be all-inclusive or restrictive:
(30%) Leadership
Lead a welcoming, inclusive, and student-focused environment that supports students and families in navigating the financial aid process.
Supervise, train, and develop staff, ensuring cross-training and professional growth.
Manage daily office operations and oversee staff performance.
Collaborate with campus stakeholders to align financial aid services with institutional recruitment and retention goals.
Exercise professional judgment for families experiencing significant changes in financial circumstances.
Serve on institutional committees and engage in collaborative projects.
(35%) Compliance and Reporting
Prepare federal, state, and institutional reports, including FISAP, IPEDS, Gainful Employment, and Title III applications.
Oversee Return to Title IV (R2T4) processes, verification, SAP monitoring, and loan default management.
Maintain compliance with consumer disclosure requirements and federal/state regulations.
Participate in audits and coordinate with the Controller's Office to resolve audit findings.
Manage the census roster reporting in conjunction with the Registrar.
Manage data integration with internal systems and external partners, including the Department of Education and third-party servicers.
Monitor student loan defaults and assist with due diligence requirements for delinquent borrowers.
Oversee required Entrance and Exit Interviews for all borrowers; maintain, evaluate, and disseminate information on alternative financing options through other organizations.
Supervise the preparation, verification, and distribution of award letters for all federal need-based and institutionally funded recipients, maintaining both program and individual student files.
(25%) Strategic Planning
Utilize technology and best practices in financial aid to enhance student engagement and enrollment outcomes.
Collaborate with the Controller's Office on budget forecasting, modeling, and discount rate strategies.
Conduct data analysis and projections to optimize aid distribution and budget management.
Evaluate and adjust student cost of attendance budgets based on local economic data.
(10%) Student and Family Engagement
Provide individual counseling to students and families on financial aid topics, including FAFSA completion, borrowing options, and financial literacy.
Coordinate high school FAFSA presentations and participate in student registration sessions.
Develop and deliver communication across multiple channels to support students and families through the financial aid process.
Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
Excellent communication skills; demonstrated ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner, both verbally and in writing.
Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism to effectively handle a broad range of sensitive interpersonal situations.
Demonstrated ability to interpret and consistently apply a wide variety of complex policies and procedures where specific guidelines may not always exist.
Expressed ability to work with frequent changes in policies and procedures, under pressure of deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Strong analytical and research skills; demonstrated ability to gather, evaluate, and to develop well-reasoned conclusions and recommendations.
Demonstrated ability to proactively assess work operations and anticipate potential problems; ability to develop and implement strategies for preventing/resolving problems.
Great ability to effectively perform work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature that requires access to information. Must be able to exercise sound judgment and discretion, tact, and diplomacy.
Takes initiative in independently planning, organizing, and performing work assignments within broadly defined parameters
Demonstrated ability to work with a high level of productivity and accuracy/attention to detail.
Excellent organizational and time management skills with the demonstrated ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
Excellent computer skills and proficiency with a variety of computer applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, online systems, social media platforms, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
Demonstrated ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
Willingness to and work effectively in a heavily bureaucratic environment which requires regular interaction with a number of levels within the organization and multiple outside agencies.
Working knowledge or ability to quickly learn, university infrastructure, policies, and procedures.
Demonstrated ability to provide training and direction to student assistants.
Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment utilizing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
Strong leadership and staff development skills. Budget management and data analysis proficiency.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects effectively.
Expertise in federal and state financial aid regulations.
High level of customer service and conflict resolution skills.
Experience with institutional aid leveraging models and professional judgment.
Knowledge of financial aid as an enrollment management tool for recruitment and retention.
Commitment to professional development and continuous improvement.
Demonstrated experience in financial aid management, disbursement, and administration.
Experience using data to support strategic decision-making
Physical Demands
Normal office activities such as sitting/standing at a desk, using a computer, answering phones, and communicating in person both in writing and via phone with others. Works in a busy office environment with constant interruptions and demands.
Special Conditions
Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
Must be able to work additional hours and adjust working hours to meet special jobs. May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.
Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment background check.
This position classification has been defined as exempt and is not subject to the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
The person holding this position is considered a mandatory reporter under the Oregon Revised Statutes and is required to comply with the requirements set forth by the Oregon Department of Human Services.
_________________________
SOU is an equal access AA/EOE committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Southern Oregon University will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of accommodation in order to provide access to the application, interviewing, and selection process. You are not required to note the presence of a disability on this application. If, however, you require a reasonable accommodation in the application and/or interview process due to disability, requests must be made in a timely manner to Human Resources.
Diversity Statement:
Southern Oregon University is a welcoming community committed to inclusive excellence and the celebration of diversity. Without diversity, our educational process is diminished. Working together in support of our commitment to diversity, we strengthen and enrich our role as learners, educators, and members of a tightly connected global community. We encourage those who share in our commitment to diversity, to join our community and we expect all our employees to demonstrate an ability and desire to create an inclusive campus community.
SOU Land Acknowledgement
We want to take this moment to acknowledge that Southern Oregon University is located within the ancestral homelands of the Shasta, Takelma, and Latgawa peoples who lived here since time immemorial. These Tribes were displaced during rapid Euro-American colonization, the Gold Rush, and armed conflict between 1851 and 1856. In the 1850s, the discovery of gold and settlement brought thousands of Euro-Americans to their lands, leading to warfare, epidemics, starvation, and villages being burned. In 1853 the first of several treaties were signed, confederating these Tribes and others together - who would then be referred to as the Rogue River Tribe. These treaties ceded most of their homelands to the United States, and in return, they were guaranteed a permanent homeland reserved for them. At the end of the Rogue River Wars in 1856, these Tribes and many other Tribes from western Oregon were removed to the Siletz Reservation and the Grand Ronde Reservation. Today, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon ( www.grandronde.org ) and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians ( www.ctsi.nsn.us ) are living descendants of the Takelma, Shasta, and Latgawa peoples of this area. We encourage YOU to learn about the land you reside on and to join us in advocating for the inherent sovereignty of Indigenous people.
Notice to Prospective Employees
Section 485 of the Higher Education Act, and The Federal Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 (now referred to as the "Clery Act"), require that prospective employees be notified of the availability of SOU's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report provides the annual statistics and campus policies for the reporting of and responding to campus crimes and fires; access to campus facilities; conduct code and campus policies on the use, possession, and sale of drugs/alcohol; and educational/information programs to inform the campus community about campus security procedures and crime prevention.
An electronic copy of the Annual Security Report (ASR) can be accessed at the following link: https://cps.sou.edu/clery-act-annual-security-report/ . A physical copy of the ASR is available at no charge upon request. To request a copy, please visit the Office of the General Counsel located in Churchill Hall, 1250 Siskiyou Boulevard, Ashland, Oregon 97520. For more information, call 541-552-7095, or email clerycoordinator@sou.edu .
To apply, please visit: https://sou.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Southern_Oregon_University/job/Southern-OregonAshland-Campus/Director-of-Financial-Aid_R0000593
jeid-05c8aba034cad845969ae967fa3ee87b
Salary : $85,000 - $95,500
