Executive Director of Financial Aid

To be considered, all candidates must submit a formal application here: https://sgu.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/7/home/requisition/1641?c=sgu

The Executive Director of Financial Aid serves as the senior leader, visionary strategist, and hands-on operational leader for the Medforth Global Education (MGE) university’s financial aid programs, responsible for administering more than $500 million annually in federal, state, and institutional funding. This role is pivotal in advancing the University’s mission of access, equity, and student success by ensuring that financial resources are allocated in ways that maximize affordability, strengthen enrollment outcomes, and support retention and graduation.

The Executive Director is both a forward-looking leader and an active practitioner. They will shape long-term financial aid strategy in alignment with enrollment objectives, ensure compliance with complex federal and state regulations, and lead a team of professionals dedicated to service excellence. This individual is also directly engaged with students and families, counseling them on financial aid, leading workshops, and delivering presentations — while ensuring the full coordination of all financial aid services across campuses. This individual will also act as a visible campus leader, engaging with senior administration, faculty, and staff to communicate the critical role of financial aid in the student experience and institutional mission.

The Executive Director will guide a talented team of financial aid professionals dedicated to service, compliance, and innovation. Working in close partnership with Admissions, Student Services, and Academic leadership, the Executive Director will develop policies and strategies that help prospective and current students make informed decisions about financing their education. With a focus on transparency, equity, and student support, this leader will ensure that financial aid is not just a transactional process but an integral part of the student experience. This individual will also serve as a visible advocate for the role of financial aid in the student lifecycle, building strong partnerships across campus and externally with federal and state agencies, professional associations, and peer institutions.

The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in federal and state financial aid programs, a strong track record of team leadership, and the ability to anticipate and adapt to a rapidly evolving higher education landscape. The Executive Director is expected to bring innovation, analytical rigor, and a deep understanding of the higher education landscape to inform aid strategies that are both competitive and compliant. Beyond operational oversight, the Executive Director will be a visible ambassador for the University, representing at national and regional financial aid associations, and serving as a trusted advisor to campus leadership on trends, policies, and best practices.

This is an exciting opportunity for a forward-thinking financial aid professional to make a lasting impact on student success, institutional growth, and the University’s mission to expand access to education worldwide.

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

Essential Functions

Strategic Leadership & Enrollment Support

• Develop, implement, and assess a comprehensive financial aid strategy that supports institutional enrollment and retention goals.
• Partner with Enrollment and Financial Aid Operations leaders to design aid packages and policies that are competitive, compliant, and student-centered.
• Leverage data analytics and predictive modeling to inform financial aid strategies and measure the impact of aid on recruitment, yield, and student success.
• Serve as a senior advisor to University leadership on financial aid trends, emerging regulations, and best practices in student financing.

Operational Management

• Direct daily operations of the Office of Financial Aid, ensuring efficient and compliant awarding and disbursement of funds.
• Oversee the work of 2 Associate Directors and a team of 15 staff, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Lead the development of policies and procedures that maintain compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations (including Title IV programs).
• Ensure robust systems of internal controls and audit readiness for all financial aid processes, disclosures, and reports.
• Manage the certification of loans and loan eligibility, oversee returns and adjustments, and maintain accuracy across aid processing.
• Evaluate processes regularly to streamline workflows, integrate new technologies, and improve the student and staff experience.

Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure strict adherence to Title IV, loan regulations, maintaining institutional eligibility and good standing with federal agencies.
• In conjunction with the Director of Enrollment and Financial Aid Compliance, Operations and Training, oversee financial aid reporting, audits (including single audits), and compliance reviews, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and transparency.
• Interpret and communicate changes in federal and state legislation, proactively adjusting institutional policies and operations as needed.

Student-Centered Service & Outreach

• Lead initiatives to improve financial literacy (including debt management), advising, and outreach for students and families, including participation in orientation, admissions events, counseling sessions, and workshops.
• Actively engage with students and families by providing counseling, presentations, and workshops on aid eligibility, borrowing, repayment, budgeting, and financial wellness.
• Oversee appeals and exceptional cases, ensuring fair, consistent, and student-focused resolution processes.
• Advocate for positive student experiences while balancing compliance, fiscal stewardship, and institutional priorities.
• Promote a culture of equity, accessibility, and service within all financial aid operations.

Staff Development & Leadership

• Recruit, mentor, and retain a talented team of financial aid professionals.
• Foster professional development opportunities, cross-training, and succession planning to build a resilient and future-ready organization.
• Create a culture of openness, accountability, and continuous learning through transparent communication and inclusive decision-making.
• Champion staff contributions and ensure alignment of resources to support professional and institutional goals.

Campus & External Engagement

• Build and sustain collaborative relationships across key campus offices, including Admissions, Registrar, Bursar, Deans, and Student Services.
• Represent the University at national and regional professional associations, enhancing institutional visibility and staying informed on best practices.
• Serve on University committees, contributing to discussions on student success, compliance, retention, and institutional planning.
• Act as the University’s subject matter expert on financial aid policy, compliance, and strategy.

Other Duties

• Provide coverage for core functions as needed to ensure uninterrupted service to applicants and 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.

Essential Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state financial aid programs, including Title IV regulations, needs analysis, and compliance.
• Deep expertise in Banner, UC4, COD, and NSLDS; proven track record in compliance and operational oversight.
• Expertise in financial aid systems and technologies (Banner, Jenzabar, Salesforce, PowerFAIDS) and proficiency in data management and reporting.
• Experience managing financial aid audits, budgets, and large-scale disbursement processes.
• Proven ability to link budgetary decisions to enrollment outcomes and institutional goals.
• Demonstrates high emotional intelligence.
• Practices self-awareness and accountability.
• Models constructive conflict resolution.
• Exceptional communication, diplomacy, and relationship management skills with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced, adaptive environment.
• Commitment to student advocacy, equity, and service excellence.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or Doctorate strongly preferred. Experience may substitute for education where appropriate.
• At least 15 years of progressive leadership in financial aid (20 years preferred), with demonstrated success in higher education.
• Strong background in financial aid operations, policy development, and staff leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leveraging predictive modeling and enrollment analytics to inform aid strategies.
• Prior involvement in institutional strategic planning and cross-departmental initiatives.
• Active engagement in national and regional financial aid associations.
• Track record of successful change management in financial aid operations.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

• This job is performed at a workstation in a positive, creative and collaborative environment that may sometimes become quite noisy.
• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets.

Hours and Travel

• Standard work week: Full-Time. Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Dependent on time zone for hours)
• May be required to work evenings or weekends during heavy peak seasons or as needed.
• This job may require occasional travel as appropriate for department initiatives.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $160,000.00 - $175,000.00 per year

Benefits:

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

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Englewood, CO 80112

Salary : $160,000 - $175,000