Director of Financial Aid

The Director of Financial Aid is responsible for the development maintenance and execution of the Financial Aid Department. This role provides strategic direction and leadership in financial aid matters with a strong emphasis on compliance with federal and state regulations. The Director ensures the accurate recording of all Title IV funding activity for students including accurate and timely reporting to federal and state agencies. This position also handles the preparation reporting and reconciliation of all institutional financial aid funds. While encompassing all aspects of student financial aid the primary focus of this role is to provide strategic oversight of back-end financial aid processes that support new and continuing student enrollment with minimal direct student contact.

Number of open positions: 1

Application Materials: Please submit a PDF version of your resume/CV and list of your current references. We need at least two professional references that have served in a supervisory role. Cover letter is optional and not required. If you would like to upload additional documents please feel free to upload additional documents under the Documents Section. This section is located after Links and before Questions in the application. Note to applicant: The email address you use to apply with will be your username for your account and all email notifications. Questions please email

Compensation: Grade 17: $103895 - $129869 (exempt)

Primary work location - Remote on Call: This position is classified as Remote on Call. Sporadic travel to the San Dimas CA office as business needs demand. Applicants will need to live within a 150-mile radius to the San Dimas Office. Classification of this position is subject to change based on business needs job performance etc. If an employee changes their physical location/residence to another state it could impact future employment.

Remote Expectation: Our nationwide workforce operates on Pacific Time and we expect all full-time employees including those in other time zones to be available from 9 AM to 2 PM Pacific. Manager discretion is used in determining a specific employees schedule. Employees are responsible for fulfilling their LAPU duties with minimal distractions. Although remote work provides flexibility employees must arrange for consistent dependent care during work hours.

Required Experience / Education

• Christian Commitment: Vital Christian faith and lifestyle
• Supportive of the evangelical mission and purpose of Los Angeles Pacific University
• Bachelors degree
• Minimum of 5 years in financial aid administration within a higher education setting
• Minimum of 3 years in a managerial or leadership role
• Demonstrated expertise and comprehensive knowledge of federal (Title IV) state institutional financial aid regulations policies and procedures
• Experience and oversight with financial aid management software systems (e.g. PowerFAIDS)
• Proven experience managing budgets and performing financial reconciliations
• Experience with federal and state financial aid audits and program reviews

Desired Experience / Education

• Masters degree
• Certified Financial Aid Administrator (CFAA) or other relevant professional certifications
• 8years of progressive experience in financial aid administration within a higher education setting
• Extensive experience and oversight with financial aid management software systems (e.g. PowerFAIDS)

Essential Functions

Strategic Leadership & Compliance

• Develop and lead the strategic vision for all financial aid programs in alignment with LAPUs mission and enrollment goals.
• Ensure compliance with all federal state and institutional regulations including Title IV program administration reporting and reconciliation.
• Serve as the institutional liaison on financial aid and compliance matters with Azusa Pacific University (APU) state and federal agencies and other external bodies.

Operational Management

• Oversee the execution of financial aid operations including awarding disbursement reconciliation and communication of aid packages.
• Ensure accurate processing and recording of all federal state and institutional aid transactions.
• Manage and maintain operational relationships with third-party vendors and systems related to financial aid processing and compliance.

Team Leadership & Development

• Recruit train mentor and manage financial aid staff to ensure operational excellence compliance awareness and professional growth.
• Establish and maintain workflows and procedures that support quality assurance and efficiency within the department.
• Provide regular training and policy updates for team members and cross-functional departments (e.g. Support Central Student Accounts Military & Veteran Education Benefits).

Policy Oversight & Student Support

• Review Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeals and serve as a key member of the SAP Committee.
• Evaluate financial aid petitions and make recommendations that align with institutional policies and regulatory guidelines.
• Identify and evaluate opportunities to expand financial aid resources and improve access for students.
• Collaborate with enrollment student finance and academic teams to ensure a seamless and supportive student experience.

External Representation & Professional Engagement

• Represent LAPU at external conferences professional development events and regulatory meetings as the financial aid subject matter expert.
• Engage with peers associations and regulators to remain current on trends policy changes and industry best practices.
• Promote LAPUs leadership in financial aid innovation and compliance in higher education networks.

Other Duties

• Provide training and compliance resources to internal departments regarding financial aid policies and Title IV regulations.
• Participate in Commencement (Saturday event once annually).
• Perform other projects and duties as assigned in support of institutional goals.

Missional Expectations

The Director of Financial Aid is responsible for carrying out LAPUs Christian faith and mission by hiring Godly employees who embody the Christian faith in their daily living and by providing spiritual support and care to employees in their span of care through praying with employees regarding their dreams and challenges sharing devotional messages and providing their team members with spiritual counseling. The Director of Financial Aid is assessed annually on their performance in accomplishing these vital tasks.

All employees play a critical role in the establishment and maintenance of a robust Christian community that seeks to serve with grace the needs of all employees and students. As a LAPU employee you are called to engage with your colleagues and all those that the university serves by modeling Christ-like character in all of your interactions. You will celebrate and honor other employees and students as being made in the image of God; be thankful expressing gratitude to God and one another; build others up with your words; and work as an instrument of Gods love seeking to heal a lost and broken world.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of Los Angeles Pacific University educational philosophy and management administrative practices policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of state Federal and accreditation regulations as it relates to the administration of Title IV funds.
• Exceptional organizational supervisory and decision-making skills including the ability to effectively delegate tasks and manage budgets to achieve departmental goals.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret complex federal and state regulations professional journals financial reports and legal documents.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a proven ability to build rapport and work effectively with diverse faculty staff and student populations.
• Excellent problem-resolution skills.
• Demonstrated experience with budget management and processes.
• Proven ability to supervise train and manage staff including organizing prioritizing and scheduling work assignments.
• Strong collaborative skills and the ability to work effectively across internal organizational units especially concerning student admissions enrollment and financial aid services in an online education delivery model.
• Ability to listen actively to customers (e.g. students staff) and respond positively to their needs.
• Ability to work collaboratively across internal organizational units specifically related to student admissions
• enrollment and financial aid services in an online education delivery model
• Ability to lead by example and motivate high-performing teams.
• Strong command of the English language with excellent written and oral communication skills
• Highly organized and detail-oriented with the ability to plan manage and lead multiple projects concurrently in a timely manner.
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment in a positive way
• Proficiency in using personal computers and relevant software applications within an online education setting.
• Skill in the use of personal computers and appropriate software applications within online education
• Self-starter with the ability to thrive in a team-based fast-paced atmosphere.
• A proactive approach to taking ownership of responsibilities and working effectively with minimal supervision.
• Ability to interpret adapt and apply complex guidelines and procedures within a university setting.
• Ability to be proactive take ownership of assigned responsibilities and work with little supervision
• A positive cooperative Christ-like attitude supportive of the University and its mission

Mental Demands

• Ability to gather data compile information and prepare reports
• Ability to investigate analyze information and draw conclusions
• Ability to engage in critical thinking exercise independent judgment set priorities and solve problems
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage confidential information

Physical Demands

This position typically includes the following physical demands. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to stand walk and sit for extended periods of time
• Sufficient hand arm and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment
• Visual acuity to read words and numbers
• Speaking and hearing ability sufficient to communicate in person or over the telephone
• Ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force and occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds

Technologies

• Google Suite: Gmail Google Docs Google Sheets Google Slides Google Meets
• Microsoft Office Suite: Microsoft Word Microsoft Excel Microsoft PowerPoint
• Communication and collaboration: Slack Zoom (or similar virtual meeting platform)
• Jenzabar
• Financial Aid Software - PowerFAIDS

Non-discrimination Statement

The University seeks to provide equal employment opportunities and is dedicated to the principle that access to employment opportunities be accorded to all employees and applicants on the basis of individual qualification and without regard to race (including traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and protective hairstyles including braids locks and twists) color sex (including childbirth breast feeding and related medical conditions) national origin ancestry citizenship status uniform service member status and veteran status marital status pregnancy age (40 and over) protected medical condition (including cancer and genetic conditions) genetic information disability (mental and physical)medical leave or other types of protected leave (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act) domestic violence victim status political affiliation or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal state and local laws.

The University is a Christian University of higher education. It is governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees. The University reserves the right to maintain its heritage and destiny as a Christian witness in higher education and asserts its right to employ and retain only those persons who subscribe to and support Our Identity and Statement of Faith.

This job description is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employees ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions responsibilities skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment and Los Angeles Pacific University reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform as the University may deem appropriate.

We offer a competitive benefits package for eligible employees including: 30 days PTO or unlimited PTO for directors and above med/dental/vision plans life/LTD/ADD insurance retirement and tuition assistance.

If you have a passion for service education and innovation were interested in talking to you!

Be part of this powerful campus of an already-prestigious university that offers flexibility and innovation delivery of education to learners everywhere.

If you want to join a dynamic God-first culture that strives to provide quality academic programs to countless students we welcome you to apply

This is the most exciting time to be working at Los Angeles Pacific University! With our team of dedicated professionals and faculty we are creating a new hope for the future by investing in lives through learning pathways that are Christ-centered flexible and accessible.

Required Experience:

Director