Job Details

Director of Financial Aid
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Position Number: 5959278
Location: San Francisco, CA
Position Type: Financial Aid

Director of Financial Aid
University of San Francisco

R0010533
USF Hilltop Campus

Job Title:
Director of Financial Aid

Job Summary:
Reporting to the Associate Vice Provost for Student Financial Services, the Director of Financial Aid (DFA) is responsible for providing leadership, managing resources, and overseeing the administration of financial aid programs to ensure accurate and timely delivery of aid to eligible students. Supervising a team of 14, the DFA manages all aspects of federal, state, and institutional student financial assistance, including student employment and Veteran Enrollment Services. This role requires a highly visible and engaged leader who actively contributes to the campus community and the broader financial aid profession. The DFA works collaboratively and professionally to address challenges related to college affordability, access, student support, financial literacy, and retention initiatives.

Full Job Description:

The ideal candidate for this position is an experienced, successful, self-starter who:

Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively as part of an enrollment management team and has prior experience in such environments.
Possesses proven, hands-on experience in all aspects of administering and reporting student financial aid services, including student employment programs.
Effectively leads staff to deliver exceptional service to students.
Recognizes the pivotal role financial aid plays in supporting student recruitment and retention efforts.
Proactively seeks opportunities to enhance processes, procedures, policies, and customer service.
Excels in building meaningful collaborations and productive partnerships with campus departments, offices, and teams.
Thrives in a collegial, forward-thinking environment that embraces both challenges and camaraderie.
Serves effectively as a member of the Student Financial Services leadership team and a strategic partner to the Office of Student Accounts.
Demonstrates the ability to successfully manage and lead a diverse team with professionalism and inclusivity.

Responsibilities

Data Analytics

Evaluate data and trends to prepare detailed reports required by federal, state, university, and agency funding sources.
Use advanced analytics to assess the effectiveness of financial aid packaging strategies and forecast budget needs.
Provide leadership on predictive modeling and its impact on institutional aid allocation.
Expand reporting responsibilities to include annual analysis of the institution's discount rate, net tuition revenue, and the effectiveness of institutional aid in meeting strategic goals.

Compliance and Risk Management

Ensure full compliance with all federal, state, and institutional policies, including monitoring internal controls to mitigate audit risks.
Serve as the primary liaison for federal and state audits, reviews, and compliance reporting.
Administrative oversight for accurate and effective disbursement of federal, state, university, and non-institutional funds; ensure compliance with applicable regulations and policies.

Technology and Process Optimization

Lead the integration of advanced financial aid technologies (e.g., AI-driven tools, chatbots, and predictive analytics) to improve service delivery.
Work closely with IT to enhance the functionality of systems such as Banner, Workday, or Ellucian, focusing on automation and data accuracy.
Direct development and implementation of support systems and procedures for processing, awarding, and disbursing financial aid and scholarships to ensure accuracy, fairness, and accessibility.

Leadership and Strategy

Lead the development and execution of long-term strategic goals for the financial aid office, aligning with the institution's mission and enrollment objectives.
Collaborate with Enrollment Management, Admissions, and other key departments to develop financial aid leveraging models to achieve recruitment and retention goals.
Provide formal and informal representation in campus, community, and professional settings, advocating for the interests of students, the university, and the financial aid office.

Equity and Inclusion

Promote equity in financial aid awarding and packaging, especially for underserved and underrepresented student populations.
Regularly evaluate aid policies and practices to ensure they are inclusive and accessible for diverse student populations.
Expand services for special populations (e.g., students with disabilities, foster youth, DACA recipients).
Act as a key advocate for students by addressing systemic barriers in financial aid processes and advocating for institutional policy changes to improve access.

Professional Development

Recruit, hire, train, supervise, develop, and evaluate employees who administer and process financial aid.
Foster a professional development culture by encouraging staff certifications, conference attendance, and leadership training.

Crisis Management

Develop protocols to provide immediate financial aid assistance during natural disasters, public health emergencies, or economic downturns impacting students.

Communication and Collaboration

Establish and maintain effective oral, written, print, and electronic media communications for current and prospective students, parents, university personnel, and the general public.
Collaborate with Veteran Certifying Official and other offices to ensure timely certification and benefits processing for military-affiliated students.
Formalize partnerships with Career Services to integrate financial aid considerations into student employment and work-study programs.

Student Support and Advocacy

Oversee the creation and delivery of robust financial literacy workshops, webinars, and tools to educate students and families on borrowing, budgeting, and debt management.
Track the effectiveness of financial literacy programs and adjust strategies as needed.
Strengthen partnerships with Admissions to align financial aid strategies with enrollment goals, especially targeting yield improvement for admitted students.

Required Qualifications

Minimum of a Bachelor's degree from a four-year accredited college or university.
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible financial aid administration or management experience in a college or university setting, using highly computerized systems.
Extensive knowledge of federal, state, or institutional financial aid regulations, policies, and procedures.
Experience managing financial aid funds from multiple sources and demonstrating compliance with applicable regulations and policies.
Demonstrated fiscal responsibility for federal, state, and university resources.
Strong interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff, government entities, and external partners.
Demonstrated leadership, organizational, management, and supervisory skills in a financial aid office.
Proficiency with financial aid software (e.g., Banner) and strong computer skills, including Word, Excel, and Workday.
Experience administering financial aid to a diverse student population.
Demonstrated ability to interpret and implement complex system-wide and campus policies.
Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in sensitive interpersonal situations and respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
Commitment to providing excellent customer service to students, parents, and campus stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

A Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Business, or a related field.
Eight (8) or more years of full-time experience in financial aid at a post-secondary institution, with responsibilities aligned to the duties outlined.
Experience working in a private, non-profit institution.
Proficiency with advanced data analysis tools (e.g., Tableau, Salesforce, Nexus Scholarship Management System) for enrollment and financial aid visualization.
Participation in developing financial aid policies and procedures aligned with institutional mission and vision.
Knowledge of NCAA compliance regarding financial aid for student-athletes.
Demonstrated ability to lead change initiatives in a complex organizational environment.
Experience with veteran benefits processing and compliance.
Proven success in leveraging financial aid to support enrollment management strategies, including recruitment and retention goals.
Active participation in financial aid industry associations (e.g., NASFAA, WASC) or presenting at relevant conferences.
Familiarity with predictive modeling and analytics to forecast budget needs and aid utilization.
Experience with and demonstrated ability to work with a diverse student body, faculty and staff.
Strong equity lens, cultural humility and proven ability to work well in a diverse context.

Full-Time/Part-Time:
Full time

Pay Rate:
Salary

Salary Range :
$105,000 - 127,000 annualized; commensurate with experience

To apply, visit https://usfca.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/USF_Staff/job/USF-Hilltop-Campus/Director-of-Financial-Aid_R0010533.

The University of San Francisco is located in the heart of one of the worlds most innovative and diverse cities, and is home to a vibrant academic community of students and faculty who achieve excellence in their fields. Its diverse student body enjoys direct access to faculty, small classes and outstanding opportunities in the city itself. USF is San Francisco's first university, and its Jesuit Catholic mission helps ignite a students passion for social justice and a desire to "Change the World From Here." For more information, visit http://www.usfca.edu.