Financial Aid Director - Higher Ed. jobs in Alabama

Summary:

Provides overall direction and management to the Student Financial Aid Office. Maintains and administers federal, state, and institutional student financial aid funds and appropriate recording requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities:

General Student Financial Aid

• Directs the overall operations of the student financial aid program which provides financial assistance to students; oversees student financial aid activities at branch campuses.
• Develops and recommends policies for financial aid which support goals and policies of the institution and which ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Designs, establishes, and maintains an organizational structure and staffing to effectively accomplish the organization's goals and objectives; oversees recruitment, training, supervision, and evaluation of unit staff.
• Interprets federal regulations, guidelines and professional literature on financial aid and informs financial aid staff of changes, modifications and interpretations resulting from new or current legislation.
• Administers the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFLEP) loan program for graduate and professional students.
• Reviews new federal and/or state aid programs and establishes the infrastructure needed to deliver these programs to eligible students.
• Participates in university policy-making task forces which establish tuition policy and pricing determinations and consider other student financial matters.
• Provides information and reports regarding financial aid to management, the community, and funding agencies.
• Represents the University to various institutional divisions as well as externally to governmental agencies, vendors, students and their parents, and/or the general public.
• Develops and manages annual budgets for the organization and performs periodic cost and productivity analyses.
• Provides subject matter expert leadership in research, development and enhancements of financial aid-related technology; directs the work of assigned staff in the completion of these requirements.
• Plans, develops, and implements strategies for generating resources and/or revenues for the organization.
• Provides direction in the purchase and development of the department's hardware and software.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Scholarship Administration

• Ensures that scholarship funds are spent appropriately by preparing budget requests and by monitoring and managing expenditures.
• Analyzes the effectiveness of the scholarship program in attracting students, maintains familiarity with the scholarship programs of competing institutions, and understands the impact of the scholarship program on the University budget and net revenue.
• Ensures effective dissemination of information regarding Alabama A&M University scholarship programs to students, parents, high school counselors, and others. Collaborates with the Admissions Office in the distribution of publications, letters, and other materials.
• Manages the process of selection and notification of scholarship recipients by serving on the various scholarship selection committees, working with university academic departments and high school and community college personnel, overseeing the processing of all scholarship applications, and coordinating the participation of Alabama A&M University representatives and other presenters at award ceremonies in area high schools.
• Contributes to the achievement of University enrollment management objectives by assisting in the recruitment of scholarship caliber students and by providing status reports to the appropriate personnel regarding offers made and acceptances received for each of the various scholarship programs.

Minimum Position Requirements (including years of experience, certifications, licenses, etc.):

• Master degree; at least 10 years of experience that is directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified and 5 years management experience.

Essential Functions:

• Ability to plan, develop, coordinate, and direct student financial assistance programs and initiatives.
• Skill in budget preparation and fiscal management.
• Ability to analyze and interpret financial information and to develop and prepare financial statements and ad hoc reports and analyses.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, methodology, and procedures for the provision of student financial aid.
• Ability to use independent judgment and to manage and impart information to a range of clientele and/or media sources.
• Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.
• Knowledge of a broad range of relevant multi-user computer systems, applications, and/or equipment.
• Working knowledge and facilitation of the operations of the Banner Financial Aid system and related module components.
• Ability to identify and secure alternative funding/revenue sources.
• Ability to supervise and train employees, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
• Outstanding interpersonal and community relations skills and the ability to communicate and work effectively within a diverse community.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to the provision of student financial aid.
• Employee development and performance management skills.
• Knowledge of financial/business analysis techniques.
• Knowledge of current and developing information services capacity requirements to support operational needs and directions.
• Ability to develop, plan and implement short- and long-range goals and strategic planning.
• Knowledge of faculty and/or staff hiring procedures.

SALARY:

The salary for each position is based on the grade/tier in which the position is placed, and the salary within the grade/tier is based on the number of years of related experience or number of years in the hiring rank.

CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled

Alabama A&M University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Alabama A&M University encourages applications for employment from persons who are members of groups that have been underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.