Director of Financial Aid

Position Details

Position Information

Budget Title
Director of Financial Aid

Campus Title
Director of Financial Aid

School/Division
Finance and Management, Division of

Department
Financial Aid Office

Staff Sub-Type
Staff & Administration

Salary Level
SL5

Salary Range
$110,000 + depending on experience (DOE)

Salary Determination

Starting salary rates are based on multiples factors which may include the position's major responsibilities, the applicant's background including education, work experience, and key competencies, the university's strategic priorities, internal peer equity and external market analyses, applicable federal, state, and local laws and negotiated labor contracts.

Position Effort
Full-Time

If Part-Time, enter FTE:

Is this a temporary position?
No

If Temporary, enter End Date:

Position Summary

The Director of Financial Aid reports to the Vice President for Finance and Management and provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for all financial aid operations. The Director ensures compliance with federal, New York State, and institutional regulations while advancing equitable access to higher education. Serving as the university's Chief Title IV Financial Aid Administrator, the Director is responsible for the effective administration of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs. This position leads a team of financial aid professionals, oversees operational processes, develops and implements policies and procedures, and collaborates with colleagues across the University to deliver exceptional service to students and their families. The Director supports university enrollment and student success goals through effective financial aid strategy, administration, and stewardship.

Major Responsibilities

Leadership and Administration

• Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the Financial Aid Office.
• Serve as the institution's Chief Title IV Financial Aid Administrator.
• Hire, onboard, and train staff. Provide clear instructions, regular feedback, and coaching. Communicate performance expectations and goals, complete performance programs and evaluations in a timely manner. Nurture the development of staff by identifying opportunities for training and career development.
• Assign duties to staff based on their roles and adjust assignments as needed. Plan, organize and monitor the progress of work and goal completion.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and service-oriented culture focused on student success.
• Articulate a vision that unites team members/staff and define departmental objectives and goals to establish a common purpose. Assess performance metrics, and implement continuous process improvements.
• Confirm staff complete required training to maintain compliance with university policies and state and federal laws.
• Act as a liaison between staff and senior management, relaying information in both directions. Facilitate open communication and collaboration within the office. Address and help resolve staff issues and workplace concerns.
• Support staff participation in professional development, training, conferences, and professional associations to maintain current knowledge of financial aid regulations, best practices, and emerging trends.

Compliance and Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure full compliance with all federal Title IV regulations, New York State financial aid programs, system, and institutional policies.
• Interpret, communicate, and implement changes to federal and state financial aid regulations.
• Develop, maintain, and regularly update the Financial Aid Policies and Procedures Manual.
• Establish and maintain strong internal controls to safeguard financial aid resources and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate audit activities and respond to federal, state, and institutional reporting requirements.

Financial Aid Operations

• Oversee the accurate and timely processing, verification, awarding, and disbursement of financial aid.
• Monitor student eligibility requirements, including Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and ensure timely communication regarding eligibility changes.
• Prepare and submit all required federal, state, and institutional reports and applications.
• Manage the department's annual operating budget and monitor expenditures.

Technology and Process Improvement

• Partner with Information Technology and system administration to optimize Ellucian Banner financial aid processes.
• Lead testing, implementation, and enhancement of Banner functionality and related technologies.
• Develop and utilize data reporting tools to improve operational efficiency, compliance, and decision-making.
• Identify opportunities for automation and continuous improvement to enhance student service and operational effectiveness.

Campus Collaboration

• Serve as a collaborative partner with campus stakeholders to provide an integrated, student-centered financial aid experience.
• Provide training and guidance to faculty, staff, and administrators regarding financial aid regulations, policies, and their impact on student eligibility.
• Represent SUNY Cortland with federal, state, and professional organizations as appropriate.
• Participate in outreach, recruitment, financial aid awareness, and student engagement activities as appropriate.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships

• Reports to the Vice President for Finance and Management
• Supervises the professional financial aid staff
• Collaborates with university stakeholders, as appropriate

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration, including at least two years in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Demonstrated expertise in Title IV federal financial aid regulations.
• Experience administering financial aid using Ellucian Banner or a comparable student information system.
• Demonstrated experience managing departmental budgets and financial resources.
• Demonstrated success supervising, mentoring, and developing professional staff.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and student-centered environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Experience working within the SUNY system or another public higher education institution.
• Experience with New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) systems and reporting.
• Certified Financial Aid Administrator (CFAA) credential or equivalent professional certification.
• Demonstrated experience leading technology implementations, business process improvements, or organizational change initiatives.
• Knowledge of New York State financial aid programs, including TAP and the Excelsior Scholarship.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of federal Title IV and New York State financial aid regulations, programs, and compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of financial aid administration practices, student information systems, and related technologies, preferably Ellucian Banner.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex regulations and policies.
• Ability to utilize data and reporting tools to support decision-making and operational effectiveness.
• Ability to lead, supervise, mentor, and develop professional and support staff
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and integrity.
• Ability to provide strategic leadership that advances compliance, enrollment objectives, and student success.

Job Close Date

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
S26025

Review Start Date

Open Until Filled
Yes

Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting
https://jobs.cortland.edu/postings/11571