Director of Financial Aid

Build Something From the Ground Up

The Niazee College of Osteopathic Medicine (NCOM) is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking Director of Financial Aid to help build the financial aid function for a new osteopathic medical school.

This is not a traditional financial aid position where you will simply inherit established systems and processes. We are looking for someone who is excited by the opportunity to build, create, implement, and lead.

NCOM is a mission-driven nonprofit institution preparing to welcome its inaugural class. The Director of Financial Aid will play an important role in developing the policies, systems, processes, compliance infrastructure, and student services needed to support the College as it grows. NCOM has received Pre-Accreditation status from the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).

What You'll Have the Opportunity to Build

Working closely with the Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Enrollment and leaders across the College, you will help establish NCOM's financial aid operation from the ground up.

You will:

• Establish and lead the College's financial aid office, including policies, procedures, workflows, internal controls, documentation, and service standards.
• Develop a comprehensive financial aid readiness and operational plan.
• Help coordinate applicable Title IV eligibility, certification, participation, and OPEID-related activities.
• Build policies and processes necessary to support future financial aid administration, including eligibility, verification, award packaging, disbursement, reconciliation, Return of Title IV Funds, satisfactory academic progress, and required reporting.
• Evaluate and help implement financial aid technology and integrations with other institutional systems.
• Establish strong financial aid recordkeeping, reporting, compliance, and audit-readiness practices.
• Work collaboratively with Admissions, Enrollment Management, Student Affairs, Finance, the Registrar, Information Technology, and institutional leadership.
• Develop a student-centered approach to financial counseling, financial literacy, responsible borrowing, debt management, and financial planning for medical students.
• Help develop student-facing financial aid information, FAQs, orientation materials, and communications.
• Monitor regulatory requirements and help ensure NCOM remains prepared as its financial aid responsibilities develop.
• Build a sustainable financial aid operation capable of growing alongside the College.

Who We're Looking For

The right person for this role will be more than an experienced financial aid professional. We are looking for a builder.

You should be comfortable working in a growing institution where not everything has already been established. You should be able to identify what needs to be done, develop a plan, establish processes, document them clearly, anticipate potential compliance gaps, and work across departments to move initiatives forward.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; master's degree preferred.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration, higher education operations, student services, or a closely related field. Candidates with at least three years of directly relevant experience may be considered with strong Title IV expertise and demonstrated ability to build institutional operations.
• Strong knowledge of federal student aid regulations and higher education financial aid administration.
• Experience developing policies, procedures, internal controls, workflows, and documentation.
• Experience with financial aid technology, student information systems, data management, and reporting.
• Strong project management, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and student-counseling skills.
• Ability to work effectively with senior leadership and across multiple institutional departments.

We'd Especially Like to Meet You If You Have:

• Helped establish a financial aid office or build financial aid infrastructure at a new or growing institution.
• Been directly involved with Title IV eligibility, certification, or participation.
• Experience with OPEID-related processes.
• Experience implementing or integrating financial aid and student information systems.
• Worked at a medical school, college of osteopathic medicine, graduate health professions institution, or professional school.
• Experience preparing for audits, regulatory reviews, institutional approvals, or accreditation activities.
• Experience with graduate or professional student borrowing, debt counseling, and financial literacy.
• Experience working with financial aid consultants, vendors, regulators, or professional associations such as NASFAA.

Why NCOM?

This is an opportunity to join NCOM at a formative point in its development and have a direct hand in creating the financial aid operation that will ultimately serve its students.

For the right person, this is much more than stepping into an established financial aid office. You'll have the opportunity to build the framework, influence the systems, establish best practices, and help shape how NCOM supports its students from the beginning.

NCOM is a nonprofit, mission-driven institution dedicated to preparing compassionate, culturally responsive osteopathic physicians committed to whole-person care and the health needs of diverse communities.

Compensation & Benefits

NCOM offers a comprehensive benefits program, subject to applicable plan terms and eligibility requirements. Compensation will be based on qualifications, relevant experience, and the responsibilities of the position.

Ready to Build With Us?

Please submit your résumé and cover letter describing your financial aid leadership experience, Title IV knowledge, and experience building or improving financial aid operations.

Candidates with experience in new-institution readiness, Title IV institutional eligibility and participation, graduate medical education, compliance systems, or building a financial aid office are particularly encouraged to apply.

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person