Open Searches

Viterbo University invites applications for the Director of Financial Aid. Under the general direction of the Vice President for Enrollment Management, this position provides leadership and oversight of all financial aid operations and processes for the University including federal, state, institutional, veterans benefit programs, private/outside aid, while ensuring excellent customer service toward increasing student access, persistence, and graduation. The Director of Financial Aid is responsible for the distribution and delivery of student financial assistance, leadership of the Financial Aid department, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional financial aid guidelines, and implementing financial aid policies, procedures, and goals of Viterbo University. This position is a full-time, 12-month, administrative position, eligible for all employee benefits.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Promote an efficient and high-quality student-centered approach to financial aid administration.
• Provide leadership and manage a staff fostering cooperation and alignment of operations with customer satisfaction. Hire, train, and empower financial aid staff; coordinate and oversee daily assignments and work flow. Oversee and assist in the training, professional development, and ongoing management of staff, including timely feedback and annual performance reviews.
• Develop and maintain effective and supportive student-centered financial aid communications. Ensure communications reflect compliance with federal and state regulations, including but not limited to, accuracy of policies and processes and the integrity of consumer information.
• Coordinate and manage all financial aid programs: interpret, develop, implement, and revise policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, regulations and college policies related to financial aid and scholarships.
• With the Vice President for Enrollment Management, develop strategies, priorities, and goals for the financial aid office and use of institutional aid funds in support of strategic enrollment objectives and the academic mission of the university.
• Develop and maintain a policies and procedures (“P&P”) manual for the Financial Aid office.
• Develop and coordinate programming related to financial aid and financing options, including orientation sessions, entrance and exit counseling. Provide a full range of financial aid counseling and affordability advice to prospective and current students and parents.
• Administer Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements and Title IV refunds for withdrawn students. Use professional judgment and problem-solving skills in the administration of financial aid programs as appropriate to the student’s circumstances.
• Develop financial aid content for online and other materials (e.g. brochures, information sheets, etc.) for currently enrolled and prospective students and their families.
• Coordinate with Student Billing to resolve matters regarding student bills and financial aid.
• Coordinate with Advancement and other departments to award scholarships in accordance with university policies and scholarship protocols.
• Prepare and submit reports related to state and federal programs (including FISAP); prepare all responses to federal, state, and independent auditing agencies; act as liaison with all outside agencies related to financial aid. Complete all required survey instruments.
• Prepare for annual compliance audit of financial aid; work closely with auditing staff to provide access to records and other information as needed.
• Manage the coordination, set-up, and process improvement for all of the department’s financial aid modules and systems for students and staff. Continuously improve the efficiency and ease of the financial aid process for students and staff.
• Represent the Financial Aid office on internal and external committees.
• Carry out other responsibilities as delegated or assigned by the Vice President for Enrollment Management.

General Requirements/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in financial aid management and at least 3 years of supervisory experience including substantial experience in financial aid counseling, packaging award offers, budgeting and financial aid accounting, reporting processes and financial aid computer systems, and extensive knowledge of federal and state financial aid programs and regulations.
• Strong customer/student relationship management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to provide vision, training, supervision, and leadership to a team.
• Ability to demonstrate cultural consciousness and support for underrepresented students.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Problem solving ability.
• Experience in maximizing utility of systems and digital/paperless environments.
• Experience with institutional tuition discounting preferred.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and customer-service skills.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States. Viterbo University is unable to sponsor or take over the sponsorship of the Employment Visa.

Viterbo University is a Catholic, Franciscan, liberal arts institution with an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students. Viterbo is located in scenic La Crosse, Wisconsin, which has been rated as one of the top places to live in the US. The region features an attractive cost of living, beautiful bluffs and coulees, three major rivers including the Mississippi River, world-class health care and education systems, and easy access to major cities in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois.

Viterbo University is being assisted by the partners of Hyatt-Fennell. Submit nominations and applications to viterbo@hyatt-fennell.com. Applications include a focused cover letter, a resume/CV, and contact information for 3 professional references. The position will remain open until filled.  Applications and nominations will be considered highly confidential.

Viterbo University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages nominations and candidacy of historically underrepresented groups.