City Colleges of Chicago

Executive Director, Student Financial Services

City Colleges of Chicago$92K — $95K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Higher Education Administration, or related field; Master's preferred.
  • Ten years' experience in business, financial aid, compliance, and outreach, with five in a supervisory role.
  • Expert knowledge of state and federal regulations related to financial aid and veteran benefits.
  • Proficient in software for financial aid processing, including COD, NSLDS, and VA resources.
  • Experience with audits and developing improvement plans based on findings.
  • Strong supervisory, administrative, communication, and leadership skills.
  • Ability to employ diverse approaches in a multicultural environment.

Responsibilities

  • Supervise financial aid staff, overseeing hiring, training, and performance management.
  • Develop and implement financial aid and scholarship policies compliant with regulations.
  • Collaborate with various departments to align financial aid operations with institutional goals.
  • Evaluate academic programs for financial aid eligibility and advise faculty on compliance.
  • Create financial aid workshops and build community relationships to boost enrollment.
  • Oversee processing of scholarships and manage the scholarship committee.
  • Develop programs to promote financial literacy and educational support services.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and welfare benefits package.
  • 403(b) & 457(b) investment plans and pension program.
  • Generous vacation, holiday, personal, and sick leave days.
  • Tuition reimbursement available for employees.
Full Job Description
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES

HAROLD WASHINGTON COLLEGE

CITY COLLEGES OF CHICAGO

City Colleges of Chicago'svision is to be recognized as the city's most accessible higher education engine of socioeconomic mobility and racial equity - empowering all Chicagoans to take part in building a stronger and more just city.The community college system's more than 3,500 faculty and staff servemore than 70,000 students annually at seven colleges and five satellite sites.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Reporting to the Vice President of Finance and Operations, the Executive Director-Student Financial Services is responsible for the college-wide administration of federal and state financial aid, ensuring responsive and accurate policies and procedures that comply with regulatory agencies. This position ensures an exceptional customer service environment for students and prospective students.

The Executive Director-Student Financial Services works with District and college administration to strategically plan for the effective outreach, management, and compliance efforts and initiatives in order to achieve financial literacy and ensure student success. The position also works collaboratively to provide leadership, vision, and strategic direction for all financial aid operations at the college. Performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES
  • Supervises financial aid staff, both union and non-union, including hiring, training, performance monitoring, disciplinary action, and development.
  • Develops, facilitates, implements, and monitors financial aid, internal and external scholarships, and veteran benefits policies and procedures in a manner that is compliant with federal and state regulations and City Colleges of Chicago policies.
  • Collaborates with student services offices, faculty, and College and District administration to ensure the financial aid office's complete alignment with institutional goals. Participates in annual planning and budgeting for the financial aid office.
  • Collaborates with District to ensure academic programs are appropriately evaluated and submitted for approval for federal student aid and veteran's benefits. Advises academic departments on program eligibility for Title IV financial aid programs.
  • Develops and oversees financial aid presentations and workshops for current and prospective students, community-based organizations, and other CCC partners. Works strategically to build and strengthen relationships between the college and the community in order to encourage enrollment and increase retention.
  • Oversees the processing of institutional and external scholarships including the coordination of the college scholarship committee, and review of applicant eligibility.
  • Develops educational programs representing financial literacy and support services to provide internal and external stakeholders the financial capability to achieve educational goals, financial stability and long-term financial health.
  • Cultivates mutually supportive relationships with various leaders in high schools, community-based organizations, and four-year institutions.
  • Develops, refines, and executes strategies and processes pertaining to community outreach for financial literacy/education. Implements and improves community outreach and professional education efforts by serving as the central point of contact and executing outreach initiatives.


REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
Reports ToVice President of Finance & OperationsDirect Supervision
Assistant Director of Financial Aid

College Financial Aid Advisor I & II

Student Workers

QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's Degree in Business, Finance, Higher Education Administration or a related field from an accredited college or university. Master's degree preferred.
  • Ten years of progressively responsible experience in business, financial aid, financial compliance, and community outreach, including a minimum of five years of supervisory experience.
  • Expert knowledge of state and federal regulations that govern cash management, financial aid, and military and veteran educational benefits as well as resources available to ensure compliance with governmental and institutional standards.
  • Proficient knowledge of software used to process financial aid and veteran benefits, including Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), Student Aid Internet Gateway (SAIG), VA Once, Go Army Portal, FAA Access to Chicago Public Schools Online, and the E-App.
  • Demonstrated experience with internal and external audits, including responding to findings and developing an improvement plan and appropriate controls to prevent repeat findings.
  • Demonstrated excellent supervisory, administrative, communication, interpersonal and leadership skills.
  • Experience employing varying styles, approaches, skills, and techniques that reflect an understanding and acceptance of the role of culture in a diverse, multicultural learning environment and workplace.


Salary Range: $92,866- 95,000

Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as other factors such as internal equity.

Benefits information is found at Health and Benefits - City Colleges of Chicago

WE OFFER: Excellent health and welfare benefit package and long-term savings and investment programs including 403(b) & 457(b) Investment Plans and a pension plan with the State University Retirement System (SURS) Plan. Generous vacation, holiday, personal and sick days, and tuition reimbursement. For a more detailed overview of benefits, please visit the benefits page of our website.

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Chicago residency is required for all full-time employees within 6 months of hire.

Thank you for your interest in CCC!

Approved by Compensation Design & StrategyDate: March 18, 2021

The intent of this job description is to provide a general description of the duties and responsibilities of this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive set of the duties and responsibilities, nor all of the necessary qualifications to perform the work.

Updated title from Assoc Dean to Exec Dir and changed degree requirements March 2021. Orig. approved Jun 2019.

TBD

About City Colleges of Chicago

City Colleges of Chicago is a network of seven community colleges in Chicago, Illinois. The colleges offer a wide range of programs, including associate degrees, certificates, and continuing education courses. The colleges serve over 70,000 students each year and are committed to providing affordable, high-quality education to the residents of Chicago. City Colleges of Chicago was founded in 1965 and has since grown to become one of the largest community college systems in the United States.
Learn more about City Colleges of Chicago
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