Position Summary

The Director of Financial Aid leads the Office of Financial Aid and is responsible for the administration of all federal, state, institutional, and private aid programs. The Director ensures full compliance with Title IV regulations, builds efficient office processes, and delivers timely, accurate aid to students. The Director supervises the financial aid staff and works closely with Admissions, the Registrar's Office, the Business Office, and Student Accounts to support recruitment, enrollment, and retention goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Direct daily operations of the Office of Financial Aid, including packaging, verification, disbursement, and reconciliation.
• Ensure institutional compliance with Title IV, HEA regulations, Department of Education guidance, and state program requirements.
• Manage FAFSA/ISIR import, COD reporting, NSLDS enrollment reporting, and G5 drawdown coordination with the Business Office.
• Oversee Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4), Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and professional judgment processes.
• Develop and maintain written policies and procedures manuals and the institutional Consumer Information disclosures.
• Administer institutional scholarship and discounting strategy in partnership with the Vice President to support yield and retention.
• Prepare for and respond to federal program reviews, the annual single audit, and state audits; resolve findings promptly.
• Configure and maintain the financial aid module of the student information system (Jenzabar) and related third party servicers.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate financial aid staff; set clear performance standards and service expectations.
• Produce accurate reports for the Vice President, cabinet, IPEDS, and state agencies, including FISAP and aid budget projections.
• Lead student and family outreach, including financial aid nights, counseling, and award letter communication.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Vice President.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Minimum of five years of progressive financial aid experience, including at least three years in a supervisory role.
• Thorough working knowledge of Title IV regulations, R2T4, SAP, verification, COD, NSLDS, and G5.
• Demonstrated experience preparing for and resolving federal or state audits.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in higher education administration, business, or a related field.
• Experience with Jenzabar or a comparable student information system.
• Experience at a Historically Black College or University or a small private institution.
• Experience managing an office under Heightened Cash Monitoring or a federal corrective action plan.
• Active participation in NASFAA, SWASFAA, or the Arkansas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Plans
• Short-term and Long-term Disability Coverage
• Flexible Spending Aaccounts and Health Savings Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403B Retirement Savings Plan
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Philander Smith University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It does not discriminate against applicants or employees based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, or medical history, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.