Director of Financial Aid

Albright College is seeking applications for Director of Financial Aid.  The Director of Financial Aid is both leader and manager of Albright’s financial aid department, a position which requires broad oversight, as well as hands-on management style.  The Director of Financial Aid will have a strong commitment to client service and a collaborative approach to problem solving.  This position is responsible for all aspects of processing undergraduate and graduate aid, the coordination of services between campus units, ensuring compliance with federal and state and other regulations, and the awarding of more than $20 million of financial aid funds; thus, the successful leader will have a thorough knowledge of current best practices in financial aid and will possess a mindset focused on student success and enrollment growth.  The director provides leadership for fund management, NCAA Division III athletic compliance, strategic policy analysis/planning, scholarship administration, and the processing operation and shares accountability for enrollment and retention and works closely with the Vice President for Enrollment Management in terms of budgets, strategies for delivery of student aid, and the analysis and implementation of appropriate financial aid models.  The Director will understand the marketing aspects of financial aid, leveraging and tuition dependency associated with private colleges and be able and willing to collaborate with other divisions in the college for communication and marketing of Albright’s financial aid.  The Director develops policies and procedures in accordance with federal and state regulations, assures data integrity, manages the department budget, and disseminates data for federal, state and institutional reports.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Develop, recommend, implement, maintain and distribute policies, procedures, standards and guidelines for financial aid, scholarship, and federal work study programs ensuring compliance with Federal and State laws and local regulations; maintain current knowledge of new or changing financial aid related regulations;
2. Lead, manage, and professionally develop office personnel, including cross-training and updating on guidelines and operations of all financial aid programs; oversee the daily operations of the financial aid office. 
3. Provide the data required by Federal and State agencies including preparation for audits of financial aid records; complete the required report for Pell recipients; complete the annual Application to Participate in Federal Student Financial Aid Programs and provide financial aid data for IPEDS.
4. Assist in the preparation of the NCAA Division 3 reports for financial aid received by Albright’s student athletes; ensure compliance with NCAA Division 3 financial aid compliance.
5. Administer college scholarship programs and renewal process, including managing funds, preparing and submitting reports as required by the funding agencies, and administering the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Work Study, Scholarships, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant BOG, PHEAA, and other aid programs.
6. Prepare and monitor the annual Financial Aid Department budget in accordance with established college policies and procedures.
7. Communicate with college administrators, other personnel and outside agencies to coordinate; activities and programs, resolve problems and exchange information; collaborate with other officers and directors to play a critical role in a tuition driven institution by being enrollment- and success-minded for all students across the college.
8. Collaborate effectively with colleagues in student services, and creates effective student services information on financial aid; instill, maintain, and require both a strong sense of customer service throughout the financial aid office, and work to set strong example for all of student services.
9. Determine eligibility of students for scheduled payments; authorize disbursement of Federal, State and private aid; analyze and forecast expenditures for Federal, State and institutional grant aid, loan and work programs.
10. Participate in annual audits of aid programs required by the U.S. Department of Education and helps resolve any audit findings; coordinate with the Controller’s Office to ensure regulatory compliance.
11. Provide information to prospective and current students on the availability of student assistance; work closely with colleagues in the Communication Division to disseminate this information broadly and effectively.
12. Knowledge of and comfort using latest technology and related best-practices in the financial aid industry in order to impact student engagement and enrollment growth; maintain detailed understanding of financial aid leveraging best practices and models.
13. Work closely with the Admission Office regarding student applications, inquiries, scholarships, etc. 
14. Work closely with the Controller’s office to ensure sound fiscal management of the financial aid program, including forecasting, developing and modeling the annual aid budget and discount rate that aligns with the college’s needs and strategic plan.
15. Serve as chief person responsible for PowerFAIDS and aid surveys.
16. Present, as necessary, financial aid workshops for students, their families, guidance counselors and other interested constituencies on student aid eligibility and options.
17. Monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) reviews for all Title IV Federal Student Aid applicants and recipients and other aid programs requiring SAP; calculate refunds and repayments for students who withdraw from classes; ensure compliance.
18. Exercise professional judgment, where appropriate, for families experiencing a significant change in financial circumstances.
19. Responsible for assessing the accuracy of application information for portion of the student population who are selected for Verification by the U.S. Department of Education.
20. Develop, recommend, and maintain loan processing guidelines for all graduate and undergraduate programs of study at Albright College; hear, communicate empathetically, and resolve individual student problems with loan eligibility, deferment information, disbursement, and other concerns.
21. Monitor student loan defaults and assist with due diligence requirements for delinquent borrowers.
22. Oversee required Entrance and Exit Interviews for all borrowers; maintain, evaluate, and disseminate information on alternative financing options through other organizations.
23. Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications/Prerequisites:

1. COMMUNICATION
   1. Effective and empathetic communication skills, both written and oral, with excellent public speaking skills and the ability to influence;
   2. Intellectual depth necessary to understand and translate academic, technical, and other information for a variety of College constituencies, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, and co-workers;
   3. Confidence and knowledge required to advance and defend ideas and programs in an environment that respects conviction but demands analytical rigor;
   4. Solid and professional public speaking skills;
   5. Communication must be professional, consistent with College values, mission and culture;
   6. Must be able to read, speak, write, and fully communicate professionally in English. Ability to communicate in Spanish a plus, but is not required.

2. OTHER SKILLS
   1. Sophisticated understanding of financial aid regulations, PowerFAIDS, financial aid counseling, and enrollment management practices;
   2. Thorough knowledge of federal regulations for administering federal financial aid, including administering the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Work Study, Scholarships, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant BOG, PHEAA, and other aid programs and practices for both traditional and post-traditional students;
   3. Sophisticated understanding of financial aid data, measures, and analytics;
   4. Extensive knowledge of current financial aid trends and marketplace realities;
   5. Desire to play a meaningful role in the life and development of Albright College and its extended community and to share in Albright’s commitment to educating students of academic promise for life and career in the 21^st century;
   6. Honesty, integrity, enthusiasm, and perspective; a strong work ethic, supported by commitment and follow-through;
   7. Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and security of student records;
   8. Ability to plan and successfully implement financial aid strategies, including communication strategies, appropriate to the needs and values of the College;
   9. The professional credibility, maturity, and leadership skills required to effectively motivate, engage and leverage the financial aid staff (direct reports), as well as peers and other staff in admissions, enrollment information, and student services (including student accounts and registrar’s office);
   10. Goal-oriented strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem solving skills.
   11. Strong interpersonal skills and capacity for extensive networking; strong organizational skills and ability to develop strong teams;
   12. A keen eye for operational efficiency and optimal use of resources; the ability to plan, monitor, and tightly manage a budget and the competency with information and data management systems necessary to accomplish these goals;
   13. Creativity, humility, and a sense of humor.

3. EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE
   1. Minimum five years of related higher education experience in a college financial aid office
   2. Minimum of three years experience in leadership positions

4. EDUCATION
   1. Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred

Review of applications for this position will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should complete an application by clicking “Apply Now”.  Cover letter, a minimum of two professional references and any other supporting application materials can be uploaded in one document along with the resume.  Optional documents may be submitted can include: proof of education/certification, licenses, and letters of recommendation.  Albright offers a competitive benefits package, which includes tuition remission.  Albright offers a competitive benefits package, which includes tuition remission. 

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