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St. Thomas University (www.stu.edu) invites applications for the position of Director of Financial Aid.  Reporting to the VP for Student Success and working closely with enrollment and all related offices, the Director of Financial Aid will be the chief financial aid officer with the lead role in university financial aid planning, administration, and management.

CHARACTERISTICS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as an integral member of the enrollment management team.
• Collaborate with the offices involved in the enrollment of students, including Admissions, Registrar’s, Business Office, and Developmental Studies in developing and maintaining an effective, student-friendly enrollment process.
• Coordinate procedures with Business Office personnel to ensure prompt, accurate posting of student aid to student accounts.
• Develop and maintain student aid packaging procedures which support the enrollment goals of the university.
• Develop and maintain student aid policies and procedures, with a special focus on quality student service.
• Coordinate the standardization of policies and procedures among the campus staffs.
• Administer U.S. Department of Education Title IV, state, private and campus-based financial aid programs.
• Familiarity with the new FAFSA.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations.
• Monitor and maintain compliance with external rules and procedures.
• Serve as liaison with external agencies which establish guidelines and provide funds for student aid programs.
• Receive and maintain all documents pertaining to administration of federal, state, private, and institutional student aid programs to include program manuals, regulations, Institutional Eligibility and Program Participation Agreements, annual institutional applications, Department of Education award notifications, authorization letters, reports, and audits.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive, systematic reporting and accountability system for student aid. This includes the Institutional Application for Federal Funding and Program Report and other reports to meet requests from internal and external sources.
• Provide technical assistance in the verification and award of financial aid.
• Coordinate technical program reviews and audits conducted by external agencies.
• Collaborate with the Business Office to ensure the timely and accurate receipt and distribution of student aid funds.
• Certify the payment of Pell Grant and campus-based funds to students.
• Certify Stafford loans for processing by lending institutions.
• Supervise the management of student aid files to maintain confidentiality, compliance with external rules, and proper records management.
• Maximize student utilization of available financial aid.
• Promote student aid to current and prospective students through presentations, brochures, and individual consultations.
• Award financial assistance to eligible students in a timely and equitable manner.
• Recommend and manage budget allocations for student aid taking into consideration current and strategic issues.
• Generate and regularly report statistical data necessary for proper management of financial aid funds.
• Implement and utilize appropriate computer-based software to maximize departmental efficiency. Requires collaboration with the Office of Information Technology.
• Recommend the organizational structure, staffing, and functional responsibilities for the department.
• Interview and participate in the selection of assigned staff; conduct performance appraisals and suggest professional development opportunities in accordance with university policies and procedures.
• Prepare and monitor departmental budget.
• Monitor and track all program expenditures.
• Oversee the awarding of federal, state, and institutional funds, and determine award parameters.
• Ensure that all financial aid data for the athletics is reported to the Compliance Assistant Internet (CAI).
• Establish and implement internal and external reporting systems.
• Keep abreast of regulatory changes in all financial assistance programs.
• Serve on university committees as requested.
• Comply with departmental and university safety rules and regulations.

The Director of Financial Aid works within university policies and objectives, relying on the Vice President for Student Success for clarification and interpretation. Supervision is exercised, involving delegation and supervision of work for one exempt position and multiple non-exempt positions.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS/SPECIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree required (master’s preferred) with a minimum of five years’ progressively responsible Financial Aid experience.
• Up-to-date knowledge of current federal, state, and institutional financial aid policies.
• Ability to develop Financial Aid packaging models in support of enrollment goals.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills with a student-centered orientation.
• Experience with student databases and related computer systems, Datatel’s Colleague® preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong computation and analytical skills required in order to perform research and analysis.
• Proficiency with personal computers and software such as Excel, Word, Feeds, and WhizKid.
• Considerable knowledge of higher education policies and procedures.
• Ability to plan departmental goals and budget and manage funds in support of approved goals.
• The ability to organize and direct major work projects.
• Professional appearance and demeanor with attention to detail, excellent interpersonal and strong supervisory and organizational skills with ability to manage and develop staff.
• Works regularly with confidential information requiring discretion and integrity.

MISSION: St. Thomas is a Catholic University with rich cultural and international diversity committed to the academic and professional success of its students who become ethical leaders in our global community.

St. Thomas University is a private, non-profit university, located on a beautiful, residential, 144-acre campus in Miami Gardens, Florida. The University offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate degrees, programs, specializations, and certificates, including doctoral programs, and the Juris Doctorate, on the main campus and through distance learning. The on-campus residential population is over 900 students (Fall 2023), and the University envisions adding an additional 500 beds within the next few years. St. Thomas has been ranked #1 by U.S. News & World Report in Social Mobility for regional universities in the South, recognizing its ability to propel students from the lowest financial strata to a much higher financial strata in only ten years.

St. Thomas University is being assisted by the search firm of Hyatt-Fennell. Submit application materials to STU@hyatt-fennell.com. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a letter of interest, a current resumé/CV, and contact information for three professional references. The position will remain open until filled. All applications and nominations will be considered highly confidential.

St. Thomas University is an E-Verify® Equal Opportunity Employer.