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Hartwick College · 1 month ago

Executive Director of Financial Aid & Student Accounts

Oneonta, NY

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

$90K/yr - $104K/yr

7+ years exp

Hartwick College is an independent, residential liberal arts college enrolling approximately 1,100 full-time undergraduates. The Executive Director of Financial Aid and Student Accounts is responsible for leading a unified office that integrates financial aid and student accounts operations, focusing on optimizing financial aid distribution and enhancing the student experience.

Education

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and strategic direction for a unified Financial Aid and Student Accounts office, promoting a culture that values the student experience and prioritizes outstanding customer service

Develop and implement comprehensive policies and procedures that align with Hartwick’s enrollment and financial goals, focusing on financial aid awarding, revenue optimization, and student account management

Manage all aspects of data and reporting within the Ellucian Colleague (and eventually Jenzabar) system, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with institutional priorities

Serve as the primary administrator responsible for all federal, state, and institutional financial aid compliance matters

As a representative of the College, expected to comport oneself in a professional manner, both on and off campus

Work collaboratively with colleagues in Enrollment Management, Finance, Athletics, Admissions, Student Affairs, and all other departments to support recruitment and retention of Hartwick students

Play a key role in the annual tuition pricing and financial aid optimization plan, providing insight and support to optimize both financial aid and revenue strategies

Maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders, ensuring seamless communication and coordination between Financial Aid and Student Accounts functions

Work directly and independently with the Vice President for Finance and Operations to develop the institutional aid budget and monitoring of the tuition discount rate and on all other projects and requests as needed

Participate in key campus-wide events including but not limited to Admissions events, Commencement, True Blue Weekend, Honors Convocation, Student Showcase and Wick Week

Oversee the processing and issuance of financial aid awards, including scholarships, grants, loans, and other forms of aid, ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations

Supervise and guide the development of budgets and financial aid packaging strategies that align with Hartwick’s goals for enrollment, discount rate management, and net tuition revenue

Prepare and submit all required reports and documentation, including but not limited to FISAP, IPEDS, NYSED, NCAA Division III reports, and a variety of reporting tasks associated with the annual Uniform Guidance audit

Oversee the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and Return of Title IV funds financial aid processes

Lead efforts to enhance the student experience by providing clear, supportive, and personalized guidance on financial aid and billing processes

Develop proactive communication strategies to keep students and families informed and engaged throughout their financial journey at Hartwick. Work collaboratively with the Director of Business Systems and Operations to maximize Technolutions Slate as an engagement tool

Ensure that all student accounts operations are aligned with a service-oriented philosophy that prioritizes responsiveness, accuracy, and transparency

Supervise and support the professional development of the Financial Aid and Student Accounts team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement

Provide ongoing training and development opportunities for staff to ensure up-to-date knowledge of best practices, compliance requirements, and emerging trends in financial aid and student accounts management

Attend professional conferences and workshops, including the FSA Annual Conference and the NCAA Rules Seminar

Leverage financial aid leveraging models and best practices to maximize the impact of institutional aid on recruitment and retention

Evaluate financial aid strategies regularly to optimize net tuition revenue and meet enrollment goals

Provide strategic recommendations regarding the balance between need-based aid, merit aid, and other forms of financial assistance

Make recommendations related to impact of financial aid on student recruitment and retention, including administration of the appeal process for incoming and continuing students. Review all appeal requests and family situations that require professional judgement

Qualification

Financial Aid ManagementStudent Accounts OperationsData Management SkillsRegulatory Compliance KnowledgeEllucian Colleague ProficiencyRevenue Optimization StrategiesCustomer Service CommitmentLeadership ExperienceSupervisory SkillsProfessional DevelopmentDiversity CommitmentCommunication SkillsOrganizational Skills

Required

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university

7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid, student accounts, or related areas, including supervisory experience

Demonstrated leadership experience in managing integrated financial aid and student accounts operations

In-depth knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations, as well as student billing and accounts management best practices

Strong analytical and data management skills, with proficiency in Ellucian Colleague, Jenzabar or similar platforms

Proven ability to develop and implement policies and procedures that drive operational efficiency and student satisfaction

Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a diverse population of students, families, and colleagues

Commitment to providing outstanding customer service and enhancing the overall student experience

Ability to handle complex financial scenarios with professionalism and sound judgment

Experience in financial aid leveraging strategies, revenue optimization, and enrollment management practices

Ability to work independently with little supervision

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to a diverse faculty, staff, student, and family population, including formal presentations

Ability to handle difficult situations and conversations and step in to assist staff in these circumstances

A demonstrated commitment to promoting a diverse and inclusive community

Administrative, organizational, supervisory, and budget-management skills