FLSA EMPLOYMENT CATEGORY: Salary; Exempt; Administrative, 12 months
DEPARTMENT: Financial Aid
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Financial Aid Office is part of an integrated Strategic Enrollment Management Division at Alma College that prioritizes the student experience and support through outreach, student support, and counseling activities. The Director of Financial Aid is situated within this division as a critical leader and is expected to plan, organize, and manage the administration of the federal, state, and institutional financial aid program. The position will ensure the successful delivery of financial aid and services to all students, prioritize seamless student support and counseling services, recommend policies and procedures to meet enrollment goals, and recruit/develop a financial aid team to achieve all expectations set for the department successfully. The individual will actively participate in state, regional, and national associations to stay abreast of changing rules and regulations impacting the delivery of student aid programs and compliance requirements for the College.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED:
• Position reports to the Vice President for Enrollment.
• Supervises financial aid employees
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate all professional and support personnel to provide information and answers to questions relating to financial assistance available to students enrolled at the College. Create an atmosphere of “service” in a positive working environment.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate all professional and support personnel to provide information and answers to questions relating to financial assistance available to students enrolled at the College. Create an atmosphere of “service” in a positive working environment.
• Develop, design, recommend, revise, and update financial aid policies and procedures relating to the financial aid functional area, including the department website. Provide campus training as necessary.
• Administer the system of application for and dissemination of financial aid awards and services for students attending the College.
• Monitor, approve, and/or revise all financial aid packaging for all students in accordance with federal, state, and institutional policies and procedures. Perform professional judgment in the review of all appeals.
• Implement technology supported systems to fully coordinate all aspects of data processing, record maintenance and electronic transmission of financial aid data.
• Authorize release of funds to students and prepare required records and reports.
• Supervise and ensure the timely reconciliation of all student aid programs between the financial aid, funding source systems, and business office.
• Participate in the preparation and submission of federal, state, and institutional reports including but not limited to; the annual Fiscal Operations Report (FISAP), necessary or required updates to the U.S. Department of Education Program Participation Agreement and providing information requests to support an annual A-133 audit or program specific audits.
• Reviews, maintains, and evaluates the budget for the financial aid functional area.
• Coordinates the creation and implementation of a strategic plan for the financial aid functional area, in collaboration with the COO/Senior Vice President and Enrollment Vice President.
• Develops the program outcomes for the financial aid functional area, monitors assessment of those outcomes, and develops plans of action for improvement based on the assessment of those outcomes.
• Serve as liaison between the College and external agencies/institutions regarding financial aid matters. Support financial aid advocacy efforts as requested.
• Serve on College committees/councils as assigned or appointed.
• Supports the values and institutional goals as defined by the College’s Strategic Plan.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
• A strong commitment to the mission of Alma College.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the financial aid function and the administration of such function.
• Demonstrated knowledge of principles and processes for delivering class-leading customer service. This includes student needs assessment, establishing quality standards and metrics for services, and the evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Ability to effectively supervise and motivate personnel.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the rules, regulations, and principles of federal and state laws and regulations regarding financial aid.
• Demonstrated excellent supervisory, administrative, communication, interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with students, college employees and the public.
• Demonstrated organizational skills in handling and directing multiple and complex assignments and projects.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; and effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the community.
• A high-level of energy and good sense of humor with the capacity for extraordinary time and effort demands.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Demonstrated experience in organizing, developing, and implementing operational systems and writing guidelines in an educational setting and managing a high-volume workflow office.
• Proficiency with the use of e-mail, word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software and use of the internet.
• Demonstrated experience of positive and proactive approaches in identifying problems, creating innovative solutions, managing projects, leading teams through collaboration, and implementing efficiency and effectiveness using technology.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Master’s degree.
• Five years of administrative experience in student financial aid programs in a leadership role.
• NASFAA Professional Credentials.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Interested candidates must submit an Alma College employment application, a letter of interest, a current résumé, and the name, address, e-mail, and phone number of three professional references via email to careers@alma.edu.
Alma College is classified as a selective Baccalaureate College: Diverse Fields by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Committed to academic excellence and development of responsible leaders, Alma’s students thrive on challenging academic programs in a supportive, small-college environment emphasizing active, collaborative learning and close student-faculty interaction. Alma is a private Phi Beta Kappa institution located in the center of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
Alma College is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty, staff and student body.
Alma College recognizes that we are all transformed when we celebrate and value the varied identities backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives in our campus community. We are committed to recognizing and removing barriers to success and providing equitable access to opportunities through education and advocacy. In our increasingly diverse campus and world, we pledge to create a climate where everyone is safe and free to grow intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally. For more information about the College, visit www.alma.edu.