Assistant Director, Student Financial Services Processing

Job Profile Summary

Under general direction, this position provides strategic and operational leadership for financial aid processing functions at the College. This role ensures compliance with all regulations, promotes the use of technology and automation, and delivers efficient, student-focused financial aid services that remove barriers to student enrollment, persistence, and completion.

  

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of six to seven years of progressively responsible student financial services experience, including 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Experience managing financial aid systems and automated processing (e.g., Colleague, PeopleSoft, Banner, or Workday
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Business, or a related field.
• Experience working in a community college or open-access institution serving diverse student populations.
• Experience leading process redesign and automation initiatives.
• Familiarity with data reporting tools (e.g., SQL, Insights, Power BI, Tableau).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership and Strategy

• Direct the day-to-day operations of financial aid processing, including FAFSA/ISIR import, verification, corrections, awarding, and disbursement.
• Develop and implement strategies that promote accuracy, efficiency, and consistency in processing and system management.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate a team of Senior Financial Aid Analysts; foster a collaborative and service-oriented team culture.
• Monitor workload distribution, productivity, and key performance indicators to ensure service standards are met.
• Advise on operational effectiveness and system enhancements.

Financial Aid Processing and Systems Management

• Oversee the full financial aid cycle for all aid programs, ensuring timely processing that aligns with registration and disbursement schedules. Responsible for the daily processing calendar.
• Manage and maintain system rules, parameters, and automation to support packaging and awarding processes (e.g., Banner). Identifies issues and applies advanced knowledge to creatively manage complex situations as well as define risk mitigation and implement solutions.
• Partner with Information Technology and Enrollment Management teams to test, implement, and improve system processes and integration.
• Liaison with third party processing contractors and monitors their work.
• Coordinate disbursement activities and reconcile financial aid accounts in collaboration with the Bursar and Controller’s Offices.
• Lead process improvement initiatives to reduce manual workload and increase efficiency through automation and data-driven decision-making.

Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Ensure compliance with all federal and state regulations governing financial aid programs (Title IV, state grant programs, and institutional scholarships).
• Maintain and update standard operating procedures and internal controls that support audit readiness and data integrity.
• Prepare for and support internal and external audits, federal program reviews, and state compliance monitoring.
• Partner with the Financial Aid Compliance team to stay current on regulatory changes and communicate updates to staff.

Collaboration and Communication

• Collaborate closely with Enrollment Services, Academic Affairs, and Student Success teams to ensure smooth coordination of aid processes that support student retention and completion.
• Serve as a primary liaison to IT, Finance, and other departments regarding Banner setup, reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Provide training and communication for staff on new processes, regulations, and technology.
• Support the development of a student-centered service environment that prioritizes clear communication, accuracy, and equitable access to aid.

Core Competencies:

• Student-Centered Focus: Champions equitable access and removes barriers to financial aid.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Promotes teamwork and professional development across SFS and campus partners.
• Compliance & Accountability: Maintains integrity in all financial aid processing and fund management activities.
• Analytical Problem-Solving: Uses da