Director of Student Financial Services

PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT REVIEW APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH MASSCAREERS. PLEASE APPLY VIA THE LINK BELOW:

Northern Essex Community College:

THE COLLEGE: Northern Essex Community College (NECC) serves about 5000 credit students each semester on two campuses located in the beautiful historic Merrimack Valley region of northeast Massachusetts. Our suburban Haverhill campus sits on 106 acres near Kenoza Lake and features a Technology Center and an award-winning Student One-Stop Center. Our urban campus in Lawrence occupies a number of buildings in the heart of downtown. Most recently we have constructed a new 44000 square foot health technologies facility the Dr. Ibrahim El-Hefni Allied Health & Technology Center. Both campuses are a short drive to Boston and to the beaches and state parks along the coast.

The College has been building an organizational culture that values initiative and innovation and seeks to identify and develop the strengths in students faculty staff and programs in order to grow and improve. NECC is also committed to using evidence to guide planning and decision-making. These values are reflected in the use of Appreciative Inquiry for strategic planning and accreditation; in our investment in strengths-based institution-wide professional development; and in our ten-year involvement as a Leader College in Achieving the Dream a national network of community colleges dedicated to using data to close student achievement gaps.

We are also committed to the recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. With over 40% Hispanic students NECC was the first federally recognized Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) in New England.

We seek leaders who are committed to the community college mission actively engaged in promoting diversity and prepared to use their unique strengths and innovation with the goal of student success.

Job Description:

POSITION: Full-Time Director of Student Financial Services (Director): Financial Aid; Haverhill Campus; 37.5 hours per week; Non-Unit Professional Position.

SUMMARY: Reporting to the Executive Director of Enrollment Management the Director of Student Financial Services provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all student financial operations including financial aid administration student accounts billing and collections. This role ensures the delivery of accurate compliant and student-centered financial services that support enrollment retention and student success. The Director develops and implements policies systems and processes that promote regulatory compliance fiscal integrity and operational efficiency while fostering a culture of service excellence. Working collaboratively with campus partners the Director serves as the institutions chief expert on federal state and institutional financial aid regulations and student financial policies guiding data-informed decision-making and contributing to long-term financial planning. The position requires strong leadership deep regulatory knowledge and a commitment to equitable access to higher education.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide vision and direction for all Student Financial Services operations including financial aid billing and collections.
• Develop long-term strategies that support institutional enrollment retention and student success goals.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance service delivery efficiency and compliance.
• Oversee the administration of federal state and institutional financial aid programs.
• Ensure compliance with Title IV regulations state rules and institutional policies.
• Monitor awarding processes verification satisfactory academic progress (SAP) and return of Title IV funds (R2T4).
• Maintain eligibility for federal and state aid programs through accurate reporting and audits.
• Direct all student billing payment processing refunds and account reconciliation.
• Oversee tuition and fee assessment payment plans and third-party billing.
• Manage collection strategies that balance fiscal responsibility with student support.
• Ensure accurate and timely 1098-T reporting.
• Foster a student-centered service model that promotes financial literacy transparency and accessibility.
• Resolve escalated student concerns related to aid billing or student account issues.
• Maintain institutional compliance with federal state and accreditation requirements.
• Prepare and submit required reports (e.g. FISAP IPEDS state reports).
• Coordinate internal and external audits and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure strong internal controls and data integrity across systems.
• Oversee the use and optimization of student information systems.
• Implement automation and workflow improvements to enhance accuracy and efficiency as needed.
• Collaborate with IT on system upgrades integrations and data security.
• Recruit train mentor and supervise SFS staff across financial aid and billing.
• Establish performance expectations and provide coaching and professional development.
• Build a collaborative service-oriented team culture.
• Partner with Enrollment Operations Registrar Finance and academic units to support seamless student financial processes.
• Serve as the institutions subject-matter expert on financial aid and student finance policy.
• Participate in committees related to enrollment management retention and student success.
• Consider requests for tuition refund exceptions where a student is ineligible under our refund policy but believes that exceptional circumstances should result in a refund of tuition and fees.
• Manage departmental budgets and ensure responsible stewardship of institutional aid funds.
• Provide financial modeling and data analysis to support institutional planning as needed.
• Advise leadership on trends in aid affordability and student financial behavior.
• Develop update and communicate policies related to financial aid billing and student accounts.
• Ensure clear accessible communication to students families and campus partners.
• Represent the institution at professional conferences and regulatory training events.
• Provide support to the respective office as needed to attain student financial service goals and objectives.
• Safeguard and protect student information in accordance with federal requirements and university policy.
• Primary location will be Haverhill campus however one day per week on the Lawrence campus is required or more as needed.
• Ongoing professional development through organizations such as NASFAA NACUBO or regional financial aid and/or student account related associations is expected.
• Other duties responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Tell us about a friend who might be interested in this job.All privacy rights will be protected.

PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT REVIEW APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH MASSCAREERS. PLEASE APPLY VIA THE LINK BELOW:

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in Business Administration Finance Accounting or a related field.
• 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in student financial services financial aid administration student accounts or related higher education finance roles.
• 3-5 years of supervisory or management experience leading teams in a complex service-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated experience with Title IV federal aid regulations state aid programs institutional aid strategies and compliance requirements.
• Proven track record managing student accounts billing collections and tuition/fee structures.
• Experience with student information systems platforms (e.g. Banner and NelNet) and financial systems integration.
• Evidence of successful cross-departmental collaboration with Enrollment Management Registrar Finance and IT units.
• Experience developing and implementing policies procedures and process improvements to enhance efficiency and service quality.
• Strong background in data analysis reporting and audit preparation.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity access and student-centered service.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bilingual (Spanish/English)
• Experience working with and supporting a culturally diverse population

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: Applicants who do not meet the qualifications as noted above are encouraged to put in writing precisely how their background and experience has prepared them with the equivalent combination of education training and experience required for the responsibilities of this position.

BACKGROUND CHECK: Candidates will be required to pass a CORI and SORI check as a condition of employment.

Additional Information:

SALARY: Anticipated starting salary range is $105000.00 - $110000.00 annually with complete fringe benefit package including competitive health insurance dental insurance basic life insurance long-term disability insurance paid sick vacation and personal leave educational benefits for employee/spouse/dependents and excellent retirement benefits. Official transcripts will be required at the time of hire.

ANTICIPATED START DATE: ASAP

Application Instructions:

TO APPLY: To be considered for this position click on the Apply Now button you will be prompted to set up a new account or login to an existing account. You will be able to upload the following required documents for consideration:

• Cover Letter describing your qualifications and/or how you may be best suited for the role
• Resume/CV

Review of applications will begin 5 business days from the posting date and will continue until the position is filled.

**Please note that finalist candidates will be asked to provide contact information for three (3) professional references including current supervisor (or at least two previous supervisors)

DEADLINE: Open until filled

Northern Essex Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race color national origin sex disability religion age veteran or military status genetic information gender identity or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable statues and college policies. The College prohibits sexual harassment including sexual violence. Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination harassment retaliation or sexual violence shall be referred to the Colleges Affirmative Action Officer/Title IX Coordinator Elizabete Trelegan (Assistant Director of Human Resources B-219/ ) the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission or the United States Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights. Northern Essex Community College will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Prospective employees are encouraged to review the Colleges Annual Security Report (ASR) in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act which can be found on the disclosure page of the Colleges website at: for a Job
Apply for a Job for JAWS Users
Create a Profile
Create a Profile for JAWS Users
System Requirements