Associate Director, Office of Financial Aid

Job Description:

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Associate Director of Financial Aid serves as a key leader within the Financial Aid Office, with primary responsibility for advancing a student-centered financial aid experience, while supporting the effective administration of federal and state aid programs. This position balances leadership of front-facing service delivery with operational support, focusing on communication strategy, outreach, and financial literacy initiatives to ensure students and families receive clear, timely, and supportive guidance while maintaining high-quality service and regulatory compliance throughout the financial aid process.

The Associate Director leads the coordination and continuous improvement of the student financial aid experience, ensuring students receive timely, accurate, and supportive service through in-person, phone, email, outreach, and virtual engagement channels. The position partners closely with Enrollment Management departments to develop training resources, support frontline staff, and promote consistent delivery of financial aid information, service standards, and referral practices throughout the student lifecycle.

In partnership with the Director, the Associate Director supports the administration of federal, state, and institutional aid programs, with particular responsibility for assigned program areas, compliance activities, outreach initiatives, and service operations.

This is an in-person position responsible for leading and managing the Financial Aid Office's student-facing service environment, while also ensuring coordinated virtual engagement and digital communication. The role requires the ability to move fluidly between service leadership and operational support to maintain continuity, compliance, and an exceptional student experience.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

1. Provide strategic leadership for the student-facing operations of the Financial Aid Office, ensuring a coordinated, equitable, and student-centered service experience across walk-in, phone, email, and virtual channels.
2. Develop, implement, and continuously improve service standards, communication protocols, and knowledge of resources that promote consistent and accurate financial aid information across Enrollment Management.
3. Lead the development and execution of financial aid communication and outreach strategies aligned with recruitment, onboarding, registration, retention, and student success initiatives.
4. Review and approve financial aid communications, website content, and outreach materials to ensure regulatory compliance, clarity, accuracy, and institutional alignment.
5. Represent the Financial Aid Office and Enrollment Management division at orientations, open houses, FAFSA completion events, workshops, and other college and community engagement activities.
6. Design, implement, and assess financial literacy and financial wellness initiatives that support student success and informed decision-making.
7. Administer assigned federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, reporting requirements, reconciliation processes, and audit standards.
8. Interpret federal Title IV and state financial aid regulations and translate regulatory guidance into policies, procedures, training materials, and student-facing practices.
9. Design and deliver training, reference materials, and ongoing support for Financial Aid staff and frontline Enrollment Management personnel who assist students with basic financial aid inquiries, FAFSA completion, and appropriate referral of complex issues.
10. Collaborate with Enrollment Management and Student Services departments to strengthen integrated student service delivery through cross-functional training, process improvement, and knowledge sharing.
11. Serve as a subject matter expert on federal financial aid administration for clock-hour programs, including eligibility determination, satisfactory academic progress, payment period calculations, Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4), and regulatory compliance.
12. Serve as the escalation point for complex student financial aid cases requiring advanced analysis, policy interpretation, and problem resolution.
13. Analyze service data, student feedback, and operational metrics to recommend and implement improvements that enhance access, efficiency, communication effectiveness, and student outcomes.
14. Support audit preparation, compliance reviews, reporting activities, processing operations, divisional planning, and other duties as assigned to ensure continuity of service and regulatory compliance.
15. Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Financial Aid.

Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor's degree and a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid, enrollment management, or student services; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
2. Demonstrated experience leading initiatives and training, mentoring, or coordinating professional, frontline, or cross-functional staff in a financial aid, enrollment management, or student services environment.
3. Experience managing or improving front-line student service delivery in a higher education setting.
4. Demonstrated ability to develop and execute communication strategies, training initiatives, or student education programming.
5. Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively.
6. Demonstrated commitment to equity-minded practice and the ability to work effectively with a diverse student population.
7. Unrestricted authorization to work in the United States.

ADDITIONAL PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Experience working in a financial aid office or administering federal Title IV and/or state-funded financial aid programs.
2. Knowledge of federal Title IV regulations and experience with state grant programs (Massachusetts experience preferred but not required).
3. Demonstrated experience administering federal Title IV financial aid for clock-hour programs, including expertise in clock-hour regulations, payment period calculations, Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4), satisfactory academic progress (SAP), student eligibility determination, and regulatory compliance.
4. Experience overseeing programs such as Federal Work Study, default prevention, or financial literacy initiatives.

Equivalency Statement

Applicants who do not meet the qualifications as noted above are encouraged to upload a separate statement to define precisely how their background and experience have prepared them with the equivalent combination of education, training, and experience required for the responsibilities of this position.

Additional Information:

COMPENSATION: Full-time, Non-Unit Professional Position. Annual Salary range of $92,000-$95,000, dependent on qualifications. Includes participation in a comprehensive employee benefits program and the option for membership in the Massachusetts State Employees' Retirement System.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open until filled.

Please visit our website at www.capecod.edu for information on Cape Cod Community College.

This appointment is subject to the FY2027 budget appropriations.

Appointment subject to SORI (Sex Offender Registry Information), publicly accessible Massachusetts CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) and national background checks.

The College cannot consider candidates who do not have unrestricted authorization to work in the United States .



Application Instructions:

**ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED.**

Begin the online application process by going to the APPLY NOW link. During the process you will be given an opportunity to upload required documents: a cover letter addressing how you meet the minimum requirements of the position and resume (failure to submit requested documents may result in disqualification). Please note that finalist candidates will be asked to provide three current professional letters of reference and transcripts.

See the FAQ for using our online system. Please contact us if you need assistance applying through this website.

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