Position Title: Director of Student Financial Services
Job Title: Director of Student Financial Services
Reports To: Senior Director of Student Financial Services
Department: Student Financial Services
Salary: $95,000 - $110,000
Benefits: The University's comprehensive benefits program
Location: Remote - Hybrid
Days & Hours: Monday through Friday, 37.5 hours per week. Standard work schedule is 9:00 am to 5:30 PM, may be adjusted. Flexible schedule may require evening and weekend hours during peak periods.
Position Summary
The Director of Student Financial Services (SFS) leads the operational, and technical administration of the university's Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and Veterans Affairs educational benefits. Reporting to the Senior Director of Student Financial Services, the Director focuses on digital transformation and optimizing the Student Information System (SIS). The Director ensures seamless, compliant, and student-centric delivery of financial services.
Key Responsibilities
Technical & Systems Optimization (30%)
- SIS Configuration: Oversee the parameterization, configuration, and testing of financial aid, billing, and VA benefit modules within the university's SIS (e.g., Colleague, Oracle and Sales Force).
- Serve as the primary functional lead for the Colleague (Ellucian) system within Student Financial Services.
- Configure, maintain, and optimize system functionality across Financial Aid, Student Accounting Services, and Veteran Educational Benefits offices.
- Develop reporting tools and validation processes to ensure data integrity and support decision-making.
- Automation & Workflows: Identify opportunities to enhance the student experience through technology-enabled solutions such as self-service tools, automation, and predictive analytics.
- Support change management efforts associated with the adoption of new technologies.
- Integrations & Upgrades: Partner with the Information Technology (IT) department to manage system updates, patch testing, and integration with external platforms (e.g., U.S. Department of Education systems, COD, and VA Enrollment Management).
- Data Integrity & Reporting: Ensure data accuracy across student financial records, financial aid packaging algorithms, and billing ledgers, and build ad-hoc and automated reporting dashboards.
- Maintain strong internal controls to safeguard institutional assets and ensure audit readiness.
Compliance & Regulatory Management (40%)
- Maintain comprehensive, up-to-date knowledge of and ensure strict adherence to U.S. Department of Education regulations (Title IV) and state financial aid laws.
- Lead the preparation and coordination of annual compliance audits, program reviews, and the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP).
- Prepare for and coordinate the annual A-133 compliance audit and program reviews, resolving any findings efficiently.
- Design, implement, and document internal controls and policies to minimize institutional risk and eliminate potential compliance findings.
- Oversee the allocation, reconciliation, and disbursement of institutional scholarships, grants, and federal funds.
- Oversee the administration and calculation of Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4), conduct internal audits regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeals, federal verification, and institutional aid to identify discrepancies and reduce institutional liability.
- Oversee the review of complex financial aid appeals, professional judgments, and special circumstance evaluations.
- Translate complex legislative and regulatory updates into actionable university policies and procedures.
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the Financial Aid Office, ensuring the timely processing of financial aid applications, verification documents, and disbursements.
Strategic Leadership & Training (30%)
- Assist the Senior Director in developing and executing a strategic vision which fosters a cross-trained, high-performing, and student-focused team.
- Oversee the daily operations of the Financial Aid and Student Accounting Offices; supervise, train and mentor professional and support staff.
- Develop and report on departmental Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), analyzing financial aid and student accounting trends, retention metrics, and graduation data.
- Serve as the primary liaison between Student Financial Services, Admissions, the Registrar, and Institutional Research departments to streamline compliant data sharing.
- Serve as the department's point of contact for resolving complex, escalated student/parent financial disputes and appeals.
- Serve as the primary liaison between Student Financial Services, Admissions, the Registrar, and Institutional Research departments to streamline compliant data sharing.
- Design and implement training workshops for university staff to guarantee university-wide awareness of changing financial aid rules/regulations.
- Design and execute financial literacy workshops and outreach programs to help students and families make informed decisions about managing their educational debt.
- Act as the primary decision-maker in the Senior Director's absence and represent the office on university-wide committees
Qualifications & Skills
- Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Accounting, Finance, Higher Education Administration, or a closely related field, master's preferred; a minimum of 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education financial aid, with a distinct specialization in regulatory compliance; or a combination of education and related experience.
- Minimum of 3 years in management or supervisory experience, including hiring, training and evaluating staff and student workers.
- Technical Expertise: Advanced proficiency with enterprise student information systems (e.g., Ellucian, Sales Force) and SQL or reporting/data-analytics tools.
- Strong project management capabilities with a proven track record of implementing technological solutions to improve office workflows.
- Compliance Expertise: Deep level understanding of Department of Education Title IV regulations, NASFAA standards, NSLDS, COD.
- Deep, working knowledge of Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Communication: Exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills to advocate for students and present complex regulatory information to faculty and staff.
- Strong analytical, decision-making, and supervisory skills with the ability to maintain absolute confidentiality and navigate deadline-driven environments.
- Service Excellence: Dedicated to delivering high-quality, responsive customer service to the university community.
Supplemental Information
To apply: Please go to http://www.ggu.edu/jobs to submit an application, letter of interest, and a resume.
In applying for a position, candidates sign a consent authorizing a broader inquiry which may include reference checks, a motor vehicle check, and a third-party background check.
Golden Gate University is an equal employment opportunity employer. We support inclusive excellence and are committed to creating a safe and welcoming community for all.
University policy prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion/creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex/gender, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, gender stereotyping, and gender identity, gender expression, military or veteran status, taking a protected leave (e.g., family medical or pregnancy leave), or on any other basis protected by applicable laws.
The University has a strong commitment to the principles of diversity and inclusion, and to maintaining working and learning environments that reinforces these practices. The University welcomes and encourages applications from all demographics.
