Assistant Director of Financial Aid Operations

Colorado Mesa University

Colorado Mesa University seeks applications for an Assistant Director of Financial Aid Operations.

Job Description

The Assistant Director of Financial Aid Operations assists in the management and leadership of the Office of Financial Aid. Primary responsibilities for this position include oversight, management, reporting, reconciliation and processing of all scholarships, student employment, and special cohort programs. This position is also responsible for ensuring compliance to state, federal, and institutional Financial Aid policies and regulation, and assists in a variety of financial aid processing tasks. This position supervises the Scholarship Cohort Coordinator, Scholarship Programs Coordinator and Student Employment & Cohort Coordinator positions. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Oversight and Management of Scholarships Oversight and management of scholarships includes but not limited to Foundation, Merit, NCAA, Institutional Scholarship Programs, State Scholarship Programs and Outside Scholarships NCAA Scholarship management includes compliance with all NCAA bylaws, reconciliation of all funds, coordination of NCAA audit, determination of annual Grant In Aid amounts, maintaining policy & procedure manuals, and processing athletic aid agreements Manage special scholarship program authorizations and reporting including Daniels Fund, Denver Scholarship Fund, College Invest, Gear Up, Boettcher, COSI, Principals, and International Scholarships. Scholarship liaison with Athletics, Admissions, Foundation, donors, and other campus partners. Reconciliation of all scholarship budgets Support growth, development, and needs of all scholarship programs as appropriate. Successful scholarship oversight includes accurate reconciliation, timely scholarship awarding & disbursement, training on scholarship programs to stakeholders, donor management (as needed), documentation of scholarship eligibility & procedures, etc. Oversight and Management of Student Employment Oversight and management of federal, state, and institutional work-study programs for all Colorado Mesa University students. Oversight includes: Support growth and annual evaluation of effectiveness of work-study programs Support of Student Employment & Special Programs position. Ensure direction and growth of Student Employment initiatives align. Monitors Work-study funds spent and makes recommendations for spending behaviors and disbursement philosophies. Oversight and Management of Student Cohorts Oversight & management of scholarship student cohorts including but not limited to CU/CMU Engineering Partnership Programs, Study Abroad and Consortiums. Oversight and management of Financial Aid Debt Management including building and executing strategic debt management and financial literacy counseling to campus community, reviewing and revising reporting requirements, and managing CMU’s cohort default rate. Oversight and Management of Financial Aid Processes Oversight and management of student eligibility based on reviewing, approving / denying all financial aid and scholarship appeals. Oversight of Financial Aid representation to the Academic Appeals Committee, CMU Athletics Appeals Committee, and Student Payroll Appeal Committee Develops and maintains the portion of the Financial Aid Office Policy and Procedures pertaining to tasks and responsibilities of team. Serves as main backup to Scholarship Cohort Coordinator, Scholarship Programs Coordinator and Student Employment & Cohort Coordinator positions. Data, Analytics, and Process Improvement Continuously evaluates the effectiveness of scholarship processing functions. Makes recommendations for, determines best solution, and implements process improvements. Creates statistical reports for analysis of effectiveness of use of scholarship programs and scholarship processes. Utilizes data and statistical reporting for decision making and improvements. Creates, updates, and presents reports to upper management regarding the effectiveness and status of processing and scholarship utilization functions. Improve automation of scholarship processes, as feasible Supervisory & Management Responsibilities The Assistant Director is responsible for the supervision of the Scholarship Cohort Coordinator, Scholarship Programs Coordinator and Student Employment & Cohort Coordinator staff. The Assistant Director carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with established policies and procedures and applicable law. Responsibilities include interviewing, evaluation, recommending hiring, training employees, planning, assigning tasks and directing workflow, appraising performance, addressing complaints, and resolving problems. Supervision of student-workers, as appropriate. Conducts task analysis and process reviews to ensure efficient and strategic operations within team. Provides input, participates, and makes recommendations in strategic departmental decision making and planning. Supports the team through change management by providing positive support to staff and colleagues. Customer Service and Culture Responsible for providing a high level of customer service while handling matters of significance within the Financial Aid office. Using independent judgement and maintaining a professional demeanor in handling routine questions, complaints and resolution of issues. Support of IRIS, CMU’s one-stop, including counseling, advising, and supporting staff and students. Counsels’ students, families, faculty, and staff regarding financial aid. Provide a quality experience with all customer service interactions. Works in coordination with Athletics, CMU Foundation, Admissions, and other campus departments for annual planning. Communicates dates and additional relevant information with appropriate campus departments. Understands, keeps current, monitors changes, and interprets guidance of Federal Financial Aid rules and regulations. Gives presentations or workshops about financial aid to high schools, campus community, and other interested groups. Demonstrate ability to work independently and autonomously within job responsibilities, while also collaborating with several diverse teams. Demonstrate ability to analyze a process and policy (institutional and others), make recommendations, and lead the implementation of process and policy improvements. The practice of empathy, community building, civility, recognition, and exceptional customer service are key components of this position. Minimum Qualifications Required: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university 2 years’ experience in a field related to financial aid, scholarship administration, or financial services, administering funding, fund reconciliation, or management. Demonstrated experience or responsibilities that require attention to detail for multiple projects. Demonstrated ability to perform the duties above. Preferred Qualifications: A master’s degree from an accredited institution. 2 years direct experience managing scholarships in financial aid office Experience with Banner, ARMS, Award Management or other integrated information system. Salary: $60,000.00 – 62,000.00. Commensurate with education and experience. Excellent health and retirement benefits package: Click here for more information! Department: Colorado Mesa University Employment Type: Administrative

Application Instructions

To ensure full consideration, complete applications must be received by 10/1/2023. How to Apply: Applicants will be asked to complete an online application by creating a profile and then providing personal and demographic information. In addition, please be prepared to upload a: • Cover letter • Resume • Include the name, phone number, email address and relationship of at least three professional references who can attest to your ability to perform the job you are applying for. Professional references should include at least one current or former supervisor. Professional reference may also include current or former employers, colleagues or other professionals who have first-hand knowledge and can recommend you for employment. • Copy of transcripts for all degrees completed (if your transcripts include a social security number or birthdate, please redact that information before uploading the document. Official transcripts will be required upon hire) Direct Inquiries Contact: Lindsey Campbell, lcampbell@coloradomesa.edu