Excelon Associates Recruitment · 15 hours ago
Vice President, Funding & Financial Aid
NYC Metro Area
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
10+ years expExcelon Associates Recruitment is seeking a Vice President of Funding & Financial Aid who will serve as the institution's senior authority on student funding strategy and financial aid risk management. The role involves leading the design and execution of a diversified funding strategy while acting as a strategic advisor to senior leadership and ensuring compliance with financial aid operations.
Staffing & Recruiting
Hiring Manager
Susan J. Forman
Responsibilities
Design and lead a comprehensive, enterprise-level student funding strategy aligned with enrollment growth, affordability goals, and long-term financial sustainability
Serve as a strategic partner to Enrollment, Finance, Academic Leadership, and Student Success to ensure funding models support persistence, completion, and responsible growth
Evaluate funding risk at the student level, including payment viability, accounts receivable exposure, debt write-offs, and working capital implications
Advise senior leadership on funding mix, policy decisions, and growth scenarios tied to enrollment expansion
Act as the institution's senior Title IV authority, overseeing all federal, state, institutional, and private aid programs
Personally lead preparation for and execution of federal and state audits, program reviews, and accreditor inquiries
Serve as the primary executive contact with the U.S. Department of Education, state agencies, and accreditors
Establish and enforce internal controls, compliance frameworks, and risk management practices across the financial aid operation
Lead strategy and execution for union-based tuition reimbursement programs, employer-sponsored funding, and workforce partnerships
Build and manage relationships with labor unions, employers, lenders, and third-party funding partners, particularly within the New York healthcare and workforce ecosystem
Expand and optimize alternative funding pathways to reduce student debt risk and institutional AR exposure
Partner closely with Finance to manage financial aid budgets, discount rates, Return to Title IV exposure, and institutional cash flow risk
Develop executive-level reporting and dashboards to track aid utilization, AR risk, borrowing outcomes, and regulatory indicators
Proactively identify and mitigate financial aid and compliance risks associated with scale
Provide executive leadership to the financial aid and funding organization, setting clear expectations for performance, accountability, and compliance
Assess organizational structure and staffing needs as enrollment grows, with authority to recommend additional roles or restructuring as needed
Build a culture of operational excellence, audit readiness, and student-centered service
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education financial aid or student funding
Demonstrated senior-level authority over Title IV programs
Proven experience leading federal and state audits, program reviews, or accreditor evaluations
Deep knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations and compliance standards
Direct experience working with union-based tuition reimbursement, employer-funded education programs, or workforce partnerships
Strong executive writing, analytical, and advisory skills, with the ability to opine, document, and guide institutional strategy
Preferred
Experience partnering closely with Enrollment Management and Institutional Finance during periods of rapid growth
Familiarity with enterprise financial aid and student information systems
Experience operating in complex, highly regulated environments such as New York State
Demonstrated success balancing access, compliance, and financial risk at scale
Company
Excelon Associates Recruitment
Excelon Associates | Executive Search & Recruitment Solutions 🎯 At Excelon Associates, we deliver high-impact executive search and recruitment services across Higher Education, Financial Services, Government, and Healthcare.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageLeadership Team
Susan J. Forman
CEO/President - Education/Academic, Healthcare, International, Government, PE/VC - GSA MAS
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