Director of Financial Aid

The Director of Financial Aid reports to the AVP of Enrollment Management and Marketing (AVP) and oversees the Financial Aid departments daily operations to ensure highquality customer service and adherence to state and federal regulatory standards. This leadership position includes managing staff coordinating system updates overseeing financial aid processing ensuring compliance with federal/state regulations and data submissions managing audits and providing policy interpretation and communication leadership. Additionally the Director collaborates with the AVP on financial aid budget oversight (undergraduate and graduate) and technological advancements while maintaining university financial aid policies and participating in various leadership duties. This position ensures that all federal/state/institutional grant programs including loan programs comply with federal/state/intuitional regulations and audit compliance with the Universitys Federal Compliance Single Audit A133.

Responsibilities

Administrative Oversight & Compliance

• Administer control report on and coordinate federal state and institutional financial aid programs.
• Develop implement and revise policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal state agency and university rules and regulations.
• Maintain and update office policy procedures and standards.
• Create review and submit reports for compliance and financial aid program assessment.
• Manages and oversees the quality and integrity of student financial aid and scholarship services.
• Oversee system integrations with the federal and state financial aid processing systems.

Strategic Collaboration and Planning

• Collaborate with EM staff and other offices in strategic and operational planning to achieve institutional enrollment goals.
• Advise the AVP and VP of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management (VPSAEM) on trends and developments in financial aid.
• Perform policy and data analysis decision support and predictive modeling related to financial aid leveraging and enrollment management.
• Develop and maintain fiscal controls and proper recordkeeping
• Plan and execute strategic financial aid and enrollment projects as the AVP and VPSAEMrequire.
• Establish a strategic plan for the continued progression and improvement of the financial aid department.
• Serve as a liaison to other university departments including Admission the Bursars Office the Registrar Student Affairs and Human Resources in support of enrollment projects.
• Represent the AVP as needed. Other duties as assigned in support of the distinctive mission of the University.
• Participate in various campus committees for university initiatives.

Financial Aid Program Management and Outreach

• Process financial aid awards utilizing federal needs analysis calculations and resolving complex funding issues.
• Oversee the coordination of campus student employment (workstudy)
• Manage and troubleshoot the Federal Loan Program phases including origination disbursement and reconciliation.
• Collaborate across campus to increase financial literacy and help maintain students eligibility for financial assistance through education programs.
• Visit high local/regional schools and participate in outreach programs to inform prospective students and families about financial aid. This may include presentations on and off campus.
• Monitor financial aid satisfactory academic progress and program pursuit processes and eligibility adherence.

Supervision and Training

• Supervise professional and clerical staff determining work priorities delegating tasks and evaluating staff work efforts.
• Develop training and collaborate with staff to enhance their comprehension of financial aid programs and associated rules and regulations.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to developing direct reports.

Student Support and Communication

• Manage student satisfaction through quality customer service in financial aid administration.
• Counsel students and parents on financial eligibility using professional judgment.
• Present financial aid educational training to local high schools and various organizations and venues locally and nationally.
• Create and maintain effective communication plans with key college offices and external agencies.
• Collaborate and manage effective communication deployment including social media website Emails and print material.

General Guidelines

• Establishes and improves delivery of financial aid programs (federal state university and private) policies procedures practices office services and workflows.
• Provides and models outstanding customer service to internal and external constituents and stakeholders in all aspects of financial aid.
• Develops and recommends initiatives and implements changes to improve quality and services.
• Identifies and determines causes of problems; develops and presents recommendations for improvement of established processes and practices.
• Maximizes productivity through appropriate tools planned training and performance initiatives.
• Researches and develops resources that create timely and efficient workflow.
• Prepares progress reports informs supervisor of project status and deviation from goals and ensures completeness accuracy and timeliness of all operational functions.
• Prepares and submits reports as requested and required by law.
• Develops and implements guidelines to support the functions of the unit.

Required Qualifications

• This position requires effectively establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment.
• Employee cannot be in default of Title IV loans.

Knowledge

• Demonstrated knowledge of financial aid policies procedures eligibility requirements applicable federal and state regulations and/or experience working in a highly regulated financial industry.
• PC proficiency is required including experience with database management. Knowledge of Microsoft Office spreadsheets and Google Mail applications is preferred.
• Individuals with knowledge of the CSS IM calculation are especially encouraged to apply.
• Knowledge and experience with student information systems (Colleague preferred) and data processing.
• Knowledge of data management and optimization principles.
• Understanding of tuition leveraging strategies and priorities.
• Knowledge of change and performance management.

Skills

• Exceptional organizational skills strong interpersonal skills attention to detail and the ability to work independently and effectively with changing priorities in a highstress fastpaced environment are required.
• Must have excellent and effective communication skills and the ability to resolve a wide range of issues from inquiring students parents and other staff.
• Strong computer skills and other related equipment are required.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance principles and practices.
• Knowledge of administrative procedures and practices.
• Skill in people leadership and supervision.
• Skill in independent decisionmaking.
• Skill in positive productive and flexible customer service.
• Skill in budget/resource management.
• Strong skills in using Microsoft Excel Word PowerPoint Colleague and other systems and software.

Abilities

• Ability to develop and maintain effective and positive working relationships.
• Ability to apply analytical and critical thinking skills draw conclusions and prepare accurate reports or results.
• Must be able to work effectively with changing priorities in a highstress fastpaced environment and a demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to interpret complex institutional state and federal regulations; exercise independent judgment in making decisions.
• Must be able to work effectively with faculty staff students and parents from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to manage confidential information.
• Understanding and supporting traditional and professional adult students and their families with a commitment to the fundamental values of service to others community and diversity.

Education and/or Experience

• Masters degree preferred; bachelors degree required.
• Minimum of six 6 years of financial aid management experience demonstrating increasing responsibility.
• At least three 3 years of primary responsibility for FISAP and other regulatory compliance reporting.
• Minimum five 5 years of multitiered staff supervision in a service environment.
• Demonstrated experience working in financial aid or a highly regulated industry/environment.
• Demonstrated experience with independently coordinating longterm projects from implementation to completion.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described below represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Per the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended the California Fair Employment & Housing Act and all other applicable laws DUOC provides reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities. A qualified individual is a person who meets the skill experience education or other requirements of the position and who can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Considerable time is spent at a desk using a computer terminal.
• You may be required to travel to other buildings on the campus.
• You may be required to attend conferences and training sessions within the Bay Area or in or outofstate locations.
• You may occasionally be required to travel to outside customers vendors or suppliers.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described below represent those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. It is important to note that this position will require the majority of duties on campus. Remote work contracts are reviewed and approved on a casebycase basis.

• Typical office and computer lab environment.
• Mostly indoor office environment with windows.
• Offices with equipment noise.
• Offices with frequent interruptions.
• Limited remote work via Zoom GChat Phone email and text

Additional Position Information

• Open Until Filled
• Must be willing to consent to a background check

Dominican University of California is an independent international learnercentered university offering both undergraduate and graduate programs. Dominican has a 1:10 teachertostudent ratio an average class size of 16 with a smalltown feeling in a park like campus. We blend interdisciplinary core courses realworld studies and small classes with close and supportive academic advising and mentoring.

Dominican University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to excellence through diversity and takes pride in its multicultural environment. We are committed in thought word and deed to recruiting and retaining a workforce that values the diversity of its student body. The University actively promotes an institutional culture that practices equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from members of all underrepresented groups in higher education.

Dominican University of California participates in EVerify an online system used to verify the employment eligibility of all new hires in accordance with federal law.