Senior Associate Director Financial Aid Services

Senior Associate Director, Financial Aid ServicesJob no:
493122
Work type:
Full-time
Location:
Chester
Categories:
Administrators

Widener University is currently seeking a Senior Associate Director in the Financial Aid Services office. Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid, this newly-created role provides support to students on the Chester Campus. The successful candidate will be an experienced financial aid professional familiar with current trends and challenges in financial aid, who understands the principles of need-based aid and non-need based aid, and who thrives in a fast paced environment.

The Senior Associate Director will work with the Director to update and develop policies and procedures related to the administration of federal, state, and institutional financial aid awarding, disbursing and reconciling and maintains the functional aspects of the Financial Aid module of the Student Information System, including system setup, implementation, analysis, problem resolution, maintenance, reporting, and regulatory updates.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to):
Essential duties:

• Supervise financial aid office of 7 including the Assistant Director, 4 Counselors, 1 State Grant Coordinator and 1 Support staff.
• Develops strategies to manage multiple work streams, ensuring that they are conducted within existing policy, procedural and compliance guidelines; that best practices are followed, and technology and automation are leveraged at every opportunity.
• Ensure compliance with aid policies, including need analysis methods and packaging procedures; internal and external compliance and risk management, NCAA Title III regulations; and all Title IV federal rules
• Facilitates compliance with federal, state, University, and school financial aid regulations and assists in the interpretation of these policies for faculty, students and departmental administrators.
• Training, and conduct performance evaluation of direct report staff.
• Works with other departments to develop new protocols to replace existing manual processes and identifies cross functional issues and collaborates with other units to find and develop appropriate solutions.
• Maintain and is responsible for written documentation for system processes and procedures.
• Provide and present training on new financial aid regulatory updates and initiatives to the Financial Aid staff and other units as needed.
• Possess a working knowledge of integrated student information systems
• with other financial aid officers, processes all aid to doctoral students awarded by these units including summer stipends.
• Ensures the timely reconciliation of student accounts and reconciles financial aid records; analyzes reports to ensure data integrity across systems and compliance with financial aid policies; flags and resolves discrepancies, overpayments, and other data issues.
• Keeps current with the latest trends in federal and state programs and federal financial aid legislation.
• Assists the Director with special projects and other related duties as assigned.
• Updates and maintains content on the Office of Financial Aid website. Reviews, writes, and edits text as required.

• Assist Director with preparing statistical data and required federal, state and university reports on an ongoing basis.
• Stay ahead of and is familiar with current trends and challenges in financial aid, including regulatory changes and updates;
• Represent Widener University and the Student Financial Aid Services office at institutional, state, and national committees, forums, and meetings.
• Presents at recruitment events on and off campus

• A bachelor's degree
• Seven (7)+ plus years of progressively responsible and successful leadership in financial aid administration;
• Knowledge of federal, state, private financial aid programs, reporting, and regulations;
• Knowledge of best practices and broad experience in developing and administering need-based aid programs;
• Strong managerial and administrative skills;
• Exceptional and creative communication and critical thinking skills;
• Exceptional analytical and accounting skills experience;
• Strong problem solving and time-management skills;
• Superior interpersonal skills and outstanding leadership skills;
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and to serving the needs of a diverse population; and
• Demonstrated working knowledge of electronic financial aid systems including COD, FAA Access, CPS, SAIG, and NSLDS.
• Strong analytical and quantitative background is essential. Demonstrated knowledge of Title IV programs & regulations

• Experience with Pennsylvania State programs;
• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office products;
• Ellucian Colleague system experience preferred.

• Occasional weekend work supporting campus events;
• Ability to work at a computer for long periods of time (2+hours);
• This role may be eligible for a flexible work arrangement.