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Academic Director Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Maharishi School

Lower School Director

Fairfield, IA · On-site

$80 - $100/hr

Lower School Director Full Time MSAEFAC Fairfield, IA, US 30+ days ago Requisition ID: 1414 Job ... Along with Academic Council, follow Curriculum Review Cycle * Provide opportunities and ...

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Academic Director information

See Iowa salary details

$32.4K

$80.9K

$133.4K

How much do academic director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for academic director in Iowa is $80,858.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,200.00 and $96,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an academic director?

An Academic Director is a senior administrator responsible for overseeing the academic programs and curricula within an educational institution or department. Their duties typically include developing and evaluating academic policies, supervising faculty, ensuring academic standards are met, and supporting student success. They often collaborate with other administrators, manage budgets, and may be involved in hiring or training academic staff. The goal of an Academic Director is to enhance the quality of education and maintain the institution's academic reputation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an academic director, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Academic Director, you need extensive experience in educational leadership, curriculum development, and a relevant advanced degree such as a Master's or Doctorate in education or a related field. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), data analysis tools, and accreditation standards is typically required. Strong leadership, strategic planning, and interpersonal communication skills help drive academic initiatives and foster collaboration among faculty and staff. These competencies are crucial for ensuring academic excellence, institutional compliance, and a positive learning environment.

What are some typical challenges faced by an academic director when balancing administrative duties with academic leadership?

Academic Directors often juggle a broad range of responsibilities, from curriculum development and faculty management to budgeting and policy implementation. One common challenge is finding enough time to support both strategic planning and day-to-day operations, which can sometimes compete for attention. Additionally, Academic Directors must foster strong relationships across departments and ensure compliance with accreditation standards while maintaining a positive learning environment. Success in this role relies on excellent organizational skills, clear communication, and the ability to delegate effectively.

What is the difference between Academic Director vs Academic Coordinator?

AspectAcademic DirectorAcademic Coordinator
Required CredentialsMaster's or Doctorate in Education or related field, leadership experienceBachelor's or Master's degree, organizational skills
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, overseeing multiple programs, leadership rolesAdministrative support, program coordination, day-to-day operations
Employer & Industry UsageEducational institutions, universities, private schoolsSchools, training centers, educational programs

The main difference between an Academic Director and an Academic Coordinator lies in their scope and responsibilities. The Academic Director typically oversees multiple programs, sets strategic goals, and provides leadership, requiring advanced credentials and experience. In contrast, the Academic Coordinator handles daily operations, supports program activities, and manages administrative tasks. Both roles are essential in educational settings but differ in level of responsibility and focus.

What are the most commonly searched types of Academic jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Academic jobs in Iowa are:

What are popular job titles related to Academic Director jobs in Iowa?

For Academic Director jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Academic Director jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Academic Director jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Academic Director jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Academic Director job openings:

Academic Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Academic Director job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,858 per year, or $38.9 per hour.

Financial Aid Director

Maharishi International University

Fairfield, IA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

About the Role

The Financial Aid Director provides strategic and operational leadership for the University's financial aid programs and services. The role is responsible for ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations governing student financial assistance while supporting student access, retention, and success.

Reporting to the Vice President of Student Affairs, the Financial Aid Director oversees the administration of financial aid programs, student loan processing, satisfactory academic progress monitoring, Title IV compliance, financial aid counseling, reporting, audits, and departmental operations. The position serves as the University's primary subject matter expert on financial aid regulations and works collaboratively with Enrollment, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Finance, and other institutional stakeholders to support the student experience.

The Financial Aid Director supervises Financial Aid staff and ensures that the University's financial aid practices promote regulatory compliance, operational excellence, student service, and institutional effectiveness.

Minimum Qualifications 

  • Bachelor's degree in Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Student Affairs, or a related field.
  • Five years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration within a higher education environment.
  • Demonstrated experience administering Title IV financial aid programs, regulations, compliance requirements, and reporting obligations.
  • Experience interpreting and applying federal and state financial aid regulations.
  • Experience with student information systems, financial aid management systems, and related technology platforms.
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain confidentiality.
  • Demonstrated ability to supervise, train, and develop staff.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, Student Affairs, Finance, or a related field.
  • Seven or more years of financial aid administration experience.
  • Previous experience leading a financial aid office or department.
  • Experience serving as a School Certifying Official (SCO).
  • Experience with financial aid audits, program reviews, accreditation activities, and federal reporting.
  • Experience developing policies, procedures, and operational controls.
  • Knowledge of enrollment management and student retention strategies.
  • Experience with federal audits, program reviews, FISAP preparation, and campus-based aid administration.
  • Experience presenting financial aid information to students, families, faculty, staff, and external audiences.

Key Responsibilities 

FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATION & COMPLIANCE

  • Direct and oversee the administration of all federal, state, institutional, and external financial aid programs.
  • Ensure institutional compliance with all applicable financial aid regulations, policies, and reporting requirements.
  • Develop, implement, and maintain financial aid policies, procedures, and internal controls.
  • Monitor financial aid packaging and awarding processes to ensure consistency, compliance, and accuracy.
  • Oversee administration of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational benefits programs.
  • Ensure timely certification of student enrollments and reporting of enrollment changes through applicable VA systems.
  • Maintain compliance with VA regulations, audits, reporting requirements, and institutional approvals.
  • Serve as the University's School Certifying Official (SCO) or supervise SCO activities.
  • Oversee Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) processes and compliance.
  • Oversee Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) calculations and related regulatory requirements.
  • Administer student loan processes and ensure accurate reporting to federal agencies and related systems.
  • Maintain regulatory readiness for audits, program reviews, and accreditation activities.

FINANCIAL OPERATIONS & REPORTING

  • Oversee reconciliation processes for all financial aid funds and programs.
  • Collaborate with Finance, Student Accounts, HR, and other departments to ensure accurate and timely financial aid transactions.
  • Prepare and submit required federal, state, institutional, and external reports, including FISAP and other compliance-related filings.