Director, Financial Aid at American Career College in Miami, Florida

Job Description:

SUMMARY: Performs all functions of Assistant Financial Aid Director, and the following additional tasks: Ensures that excellent financial aid services are provided by staff and that financial aid counseling and awarding is conducted in full compliance with federal and state regulations and institutional policies.  Collaborates with colleagues in other departments and external agencies to resolve escalated student issues or concerns regarding student accounts or financial aid issues.  Monitors Professional Judgment overrides or exceptions to institutional policies, serving as the campus’ final authority over decisions and appropriately communicates decisions to staff and students.  Monitors enrollment and retention activities and goals, and evaluates key indicators to forecast upcoming work volume and necessary resources, establishes plans to meet those needs, and communicates same to campus Executive Director and VP, Financial Aid to obtain necessary approvals and successful execution of plans.  Advocates for students and staff as necessary with other departments or external agencies regarding student financial aid or billing issues.  Monitors and manages campus allocation of Federal Work Study, Federal SEOG and institutional aid allocations to ensure optimal and equitable distribution of funds.  Performs ongoing quality-assurance testing of associate appointments, file processing, and communication with students, and meets with individual staff members to review and discuss results.  Meets regularly with associates as a team to share information, discuss plans, and address concerns.  Prepares and delivers associate performance reviews and initiates formal counseling as appropriate.  Actively serves as a member of the campus management team, and the overall University financial aid leadership team.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position.  However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.)

 

Regularly utilizes all available resources to monitor department’s performance and services provided to students and prospective students. (e.g. evaluation of recorded appointment observations, student survey responses, Campus Vue activities assigned or returned by Administration, Campus Vue and Power BI reports, and feedback from students, parents, or colleagues from other departments.)  Ensure a minimum review of one recorded appointment per each FAO or AFAD per month, and review of activities, surveys, and reports at least weekly.

Collaborates regularly with peers and supervisors regarding campus processes, policies, or upcoming events, and with colleagues in other departments and external agencies to resolve escalated or complex student issues regarding student accounts or financial aid concerns.  Makes recommendations to VP, Financial Aid for new or revised policies or procedures related to the administration of student financial aid.

Randomly but regularly monitors approved requests for Professional Judgment overrides or exceptions to institutional policies to ensure that approvals made by AFAD(s) are within institutional guidelines.  Reviews all requests that are recommended for rejection by AFAD and makes final decision as to approval or denial.

Advocates for students and staff as necessary with other departments or external agencies regarding student financial aid or billing issues.

Monitors enrollment and retention activity and goals, and evaluates key indicators to forecast upcoming work volume and necessary resources, establishes plans to meet those needs, and communicates same to campus Executive Director and VP, Financial Aid to obtain necessary approvals and successful execution of plans. 

Monitors departmental activity queue and ensures work is being delegated appropriately.  Evaluates activities returned by Administration teams to identify appropriate resolution, training needs, or escalate appropriately if not in agreement.

Monitors and manages campus allocation of Federal Work Study, Federal SEOG and institutional aid allocations.

Manages the shared financial aid appointment calendar to ensure that adequate time is allocated for new and continuing students each day.

Meets regularly with associates as a team to share information, discuss plans, and address concerns.  Prepares and provides training for both new and continuing FAOs and AFADs.  Prepares and delivers associate performance reviews and initiates formal counseling as appropriate.  Provides daily supervision of Assistant Financial Aid Directors and provides developmental training opportunities as appropriate.

Actively serves as a member of the campus management team, and the overall University financial aid leadership team.

Maintains current knowledge of regulations, policies, and processes regarding the administration of federal, state, and institutional student financial aid.

Adheres to College/University policies and procedures and conducts job responsibilities in accordance with the standards set out in the College/University’s Code of Ethical Conduct, Compliance Agreement, Sexual Harassment Policy or any of its policies and procedures, applicable federal and state laws, and applicable professional standards.

Maintains regular and timely attendance, reports to work as scheduled and as required to meet the needs of the College/University and assures time worked and/or time-off is recorded properly.

Exercises care, proper use and maintenance of department equipment and supplies and identifies unsafe conditions and makes appropriate adjustments.

 

Maintains order, cleanliness and safety at work.

Performs other duties as assigned.

 

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited College or University.        

 

 

 

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS:

May not be in default on a federal student loan, or owe repayment of a federal grant.

Consent to audio and video record student financial aid appointments and overviews for training and quality assurance purposes required.

 

 

 

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE:

 

Typically requires advanced knowledge of theories, concepts, principles, and practices in professional discipline. Experience leading a team, project, program, or function is required. Generally requires a Bachelor's degree, Masters may be preferred.  Traditionally requires a minimum of 7 years of related work experience, including some management experience.

 

Advanced knowledge of theories, concepts, principles, and practices regarding the administration of Title IV financial aid.

 

A minimum of 5 years of experience as a Financial Aid Director or Assistant FA Director at an accredited College or University.

 

A minimum of 1 year of experience supervising regular associates in a College or University Financial Aid Office.

 

At least 1 year of experience using an enterprise-wide student information system in a higher education setting.

 

Preferred:

2+ years of experience as an Assistant Financial Aid Director at West Coast University.

 

5+ years of experience as a Financial Aid Director at an accredited, for-profit College or University.

 

3+ years of experience supervising regular associates in a College or University Financial Aid Office.

 

 

 

qualifications/Skills:

(Every effort has been made to identify the essential skills/qualifications of this position.  However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only skills/qualifications you will be required to perform.  The omission of specific statements of skills/qualifications does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential skill/qualification of the position.)

 

Ability to demonstrate the highest levels of integrity and professional ethics in all aspects of the job function.

 

Ability to demonstrate excellent communication and customer relations skills, including presentations to large groups.

 

Evidence of strong leadership and managerial skills, including strategic planning, assessment and evaluation skills, and ability to demonstrate commitment to University mission and values.

 

Ability to demonstrate excellent analytical, organizational, and negotiating skills.

 

Ability to make evidence-based, student-centric, and ethically-sound decisions; and take accountability for same.

 

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