Director of Academic Enrollment and Financial Aid Compliance, Operations and Training

To be considered, all candidates must submit a formal application here: https://sgu.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/7/home/requisition/1629?c=sgu

The Director of Academic Enrollment and Financial Aid Compliance, Operations and Training provides senior-level leadership for the operational, compliance, audit, and training functions within the Office of Enrollment and Financial Aid Operations and Training. This position ensures that all federal, private, and institutional financial aid programs, as well as student enrollment reporting processes, are administered with integrity, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

The Director directly manages the Senior Associate Director, Financial Aid Operations and Training, Associate Registrar of Academic Enrollment and Compliance and the Associate Director of Financial Aid Operations and Training. Together, these teams support financial aid operations, compliance, audits, training, and enrollment management. The role is accountable for audit readiness across multiple areas, including Financial Aid audits, Enrollment Reporting audits, and Veterans Affairs (VA) audits, as well as compliance with Department of Education reporting requirements.

A key component of this position is oversight of the Academic Enrollment and Compliance team, which processes student Leaves of Absence (LOA), Withdrawals, Administrative Withdrawals, Interim LOAs, and Enrollment Verifications, while also managing the Student Status Confirmation Report (SSCR) that must be submitted approximately every 60 days to maintain federal loan compliance. The Director will be expected to learn the SSCR process, serve as a back-up, and lead future transitions to the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) for enrollment and compliance reporting.

This position also ensures compliance with exit interview notifications, tracking of student communications, and timely delivery of federally required financial aid information, reducing compliance risk and audit findings.

This position reports to the Chief Enrollment Services and Student Operations Officer.

Essential Functions

Leadership & Oversight

• Provide direct supervision, mentorship, and evaluation of the Senior Associate Director, Financial Aid Operations and Training, Associate Registrar of Academic Enrollment and Compliance and the Associate Director of Financial Aid Operations and Training.
• Oversee both financial aid operations and enrollment compliance teams, ensuring seamless integration of processes.
• Lead departmental planning, strategy, and innovation to strengthen compliance, audit readiness, and student experience.

Audit & Compliance

• Lead all Financial Aid, Enrollment Reporting, and VA audits, ensuring timely retrieval and accurate review of files prior to submission.
• Oversee compliance with Title IV, Department of Education, and VA requirements.
• Ensure all exit interview notifications are tracked and delivered to students on time to avoid audit issues.
• Partner with compliance staff to monitor and respond to changes in federal and institutional regulations.

Enrollment & Compliance Oversight

• Provide leadership and oversight to the Academic Enrollment and Compliance team.
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of LOAs, Withdrawals, Administrative Withdrawals, Interim LOAs, and Enrollment Verifications.
• Oversee and ensure timely submission of Student Status Confirmation Reports (SSCR), approximately every 60 days, in compliance with Department of Education requirements.
• Learn and master the SSCR process to serve as a back-up administrator when needed.
• Lead the institution’s transition to the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) to improve reporting, efficiency, and compliance.
• Provide oversight for the certification and management of VA education benefits in partnership with Financial Aid leadership.

Systems & Operations

• Provide strategic oversight of Banner Financial Aid and Enrollment systems, ensuring timely patches, upgrades, and functionality.
• Oversee automation of operational workflows to improve efficiency and compliance.
• Ensure operational policies and procedures reflect current DOE and institutional requirements.
• Provide oversight to all routine tasks and operations for MGE institutions.

Training & Communication

• Oversee training and professional development for staff in financial aid operations and enrollment compliance.
• Guide creation of student-facing communication strategies, ensuring clarity, timeliness, and compliance with federal requirements.
• Ensure communication timelines (including exit interviews, loan counseling, financial aid notifications) are consistently delivered.
• Support financial literacy and compliance education through presentations, workshops, and student communications.

Collaboration & Student Experience

• Partner with Admissions to ensure enrollment and financial aid processes support prospective and incoming students.
• Collaborate with Registrar, Bursar, and Clinical Education Operations to ensure financial aid and enrollment processes align with institutional needs.
• Maintain a student-first focus, balancing compliance with service excellence.

Other Duties

• Provide coverage for core functions as needed to ensure uninterrupted service to students.
• Perform other duties and special projects assigned by leadership.

This description is not intended to be all-inclusive. This position may perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the department/institution.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of Title IV regulations, enrollment reporting, VA benefits, and compliance audits.
• Expertise in Banner Financial Aid and Enrollment systems; experience with COD, NSLDS, SSCR, and National Student Clearinghouse.
• Strong leadership and staff management skills, with experience supervising senior-level staff.
• Proven ability to oversee multiple types of audits and reporting functions.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; able to work effectively across departments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and data reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred. Experience may substitute for education where appropriate.
• Minimum 8–10 years of progressive experience in financial aid or enrollment management, with at least 4 years in a leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience managing audits, enrollment reporting, and compliance processes (SSCR/NSC).
• Strong background in Banner systems management and operational improvements.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams to deliver integrated student services.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Professional office environment with frequent use of computers, phones, and office equipment.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Primarily sedentary, requiring attention to detail and accuracy.

Hours & Travel

• Standard work week: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Flexibility for evenings and weekends during audit cycles and peak reporting periods.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $112,000.00 - $128,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Billings, MT 59106

Salary : $112,000 - $128,000