EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL AID (55937)

Claflin University seeks an experienced, student-centered, and strategically minded Executive Director of Financial Aid to lead the University’s comprehensive financial aid and scholarships program.

Reporting to the Vice President for Enrollment Management, the Executive Director of Financial Aid will provide leadership for the day-to-day administration, compliance, awarding, communication, and continuous improvement of financial aid programs serving undergraduate and graduate students.

The Executive Director of the Office of Financial Aid (OFA) is a core member of the Division of Enrollment Management's team and provides strategic, student-centered, and technically expert leadership for the University’s financial aid and scholarships programs. Working closely with the Vice President for Enrollment Management, the Executive Director assists with the development and implementation of enrollment-related strategies, policies and initiatives in order to achieve University enrollment goals and desired outcomes. This position plays a key role in advancing Claflin University’s Strategic Plan, including its commitments to providing students with access to exemplary educational opportunities in its undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs.

The Executive Director provides innovative and strategic vision, leadership and operations management in the administration of all federal, state, institutional and private financial aid and scholarship programs. Responsible for a financial aid program of $20 million for approximately 1,800 students, the Executive Director oversees the planning, organizing and directing of all services provided. The Executive Director both integrates and ensures compliance with federal, state, institutional and private aid rules and regulations. Responsible for managing Federal Title IV aid programs, state grant and scholarship programs, institutional scholarships, and any other student aid provided by outside donors.  This includes ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and institutional aid regulations, policies, and reporting requirements, reconciling federal and state aid accounts, and communicating financial aid policies and changes clearly to students.  Oversee annual audits, internal reviews, and risk management activities related to Title IX programs.  Serves as the University’s primary contact for the U.S. Department of Education and state aid agencies regarding program administration and compliance.  In collaboration with the Vice President and the Enrollment Management leadership team, the Executive Director exercises strategic leadership in the development and implementation of institutional policies regarding the evaluation of financial need and the packaging of aid in order to realize University enrollment goals, including access for and retention of a diverse student population.

Consistent with the University's commitment to operational excellence, the Executive Director will lead modernization of OFA's systems and processes, reducing manual and duplicative work, strengthening data integration and reporting, and improving timeliness, accuracy, transparency and student experience of financial aid services. Recognizing that sustainable, well-supported staff are essential to reliable service, the Executive Director will prioritize staff retention, sustainable workloads, onboarding and training, professional development, clear expectations and accountability, and succession planning across OFA.

The Executive Director is expected to represent the University through leadership and active participation in national, regional, and statewide professional organizations and through professional publications.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations with the ability to think strategically about financial aid leveraging, institutional scholarship resources, enrollment goals, student affordability, and net tuition revenue. 

Qualifications

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; Master’s degree preferred, with at least 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid, higher education administration, enrollment services, or a related field and two (2) years of supervisory or leadership role within Enrollment Management
• Demonstrated progressive experience in the supervision, management, mentoring, and professional development of staff, preferably within financial aid, enrollment management, higher education, or similarly complex administrative environment. 
• Requires advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerFAIDS, and J1 as well as the ability to analyze, reconcile, and report financial aid and student data accurately.  
• Experience administering federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs. 
• Experience with Jenzabar or other higher education ERP systems.
• Experience leading financial aid system implementation, upgrades, or process-improvement initiatives.
• Experience with federal and state financial aid audits or program reviews.
• Experience administering institutional scholarships and/or endowed scholarship programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Title IV financial aid programs and regulations.
• Familiarity with office management techniques is essential, along with excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills; excellent writing and editorial skills are required.
• Confidentiality, integrity, and discretion are essential.
• Demonstrated commitment to providing excellent service to students and families.
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, administrators, students, and families.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal Title IV financial aid regulations, state financial programs, and institutional aid administration. 
• Ability to interpret complex federal regulations and translate them into institutional policies and procedures.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to exceptional customer service and student-centered practices.
• Strong financial management, budgeting, reconciliation, and reporting skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communications skills.