Director - Financial Aid Operations

Position Announcement

Help shape the future of student success by leading the administration of federal financial aid programs that make higher education accessible. As the Director - Financial Aid Operations, you will provide strategic leadership for Title IV programs, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations while driving operational excellence and continuous improvement. In this role, you will collaborate with university leaders, state and national partners, and regulatory agencies to strengthen financial aid operations, enhance the student experience, and support institutional goals. You'll also lead and develop a dedicated team of professionals, influence university-wide initiatives, and play a key role in improving student retention, completion, and graduation through effective financial aid administration. This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on students while advancing best practices in higher education.

Summary Of Responsibilities

• Title IV Compliance and Regulatory Oversight: Oversee federal student aid budgets, reconciliation of federal program funding and reporting, and ensure that UVU meets all federal regulations pertaining to the administration of Title IV aid. Review all federal and state laws utilizing regional and national resources, revise UVU policies and procedures as necessary to ensure compliance. Assess the university’s certificate programs to determine if they qualify for inclusion in the federal participation agreement, working closely with UVU Academic Affairs. Provide oversight of university policies related to the administration of Title IV aid. Frequently works with legal counsel and internal and external auditors to ensure ongoing compliance and continuous improvement.
• Student Success and Institutional Goal Advancement: Develop strategies to accomplish the institutional goals of increasing student FAFSA completion rates, improving customer experience, and increasing efficiency of operations. This will be done by evaluating Federal programs for their effectiveness in supporting student retention, timely completion, graduation rates, and campus staffing support. Oversee the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office FAFSA outreach initiatives, working closely with the UVU Office of Admissions, USHE, TRIO, GearUP, Concurrent Enrollment, and other stakeholders. Prepare regular reports on Title IV aid, trends, and key performance indicators to executive leadership. Lead financial literacy initiatives to help current students and families understand the financial aid process, repayment obligations, and financial planning.
• Employee Management: This role is responsible for fostering employees’ professional development through mentorship, performance feedback, hiring/firing, regular one-on-ones and support while ensuring alignment with UVU goals and culture. Identify individual and team development needs and implement tailored growth plans. Conduct regular performance reviews and give constructive, actionable feedback. Resolve interpersonal conflicts and promote team cohesion. Promote and support employee recognition and reward programs. Manages the customer experience and operation teams’ operating budget for travel, personal development, team building, marketing initiatives, and outreach events.
• Partnerships and Financial Aid Initiatives: Oversee the creation of effective campus-wide training of federal student aid for offices such as TRIO, GearUP, Advising, Admissions, and the Student Success Center. Collaborate with USHE and the K- community to provide prospective students and their parents with essential information and support needed to afford college. Cultivate relationships with campus partners to advise on federal policy. Network with the UVU Money Success Center to promote the completion of Federal Exit Loan Counseling for UVU graduates and students who drop below half-time enrollment. \
• Conduct other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications / Licenses / Certifications

Graduation from an accredited institution with a bachelor's degree plus four years of job-related experience or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience related to the Summary of Duties totaling eight years.

Preferred Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited institution with a bachelor's degree plus four years of job-related experience or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience related to the Summary of Duties totaling eight years.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Knowledge

• Knowledge of federal regulations pertaining to financial aid and scholarships.
• Knowledge of financial aid policies, procedures, and eligibility requirements.
• Knowledge of Banner Financial Aid.
  
  

Skills

• Excellent organizational and computer skills with competency in using a variety of electronic tools.
• Effective listening and responding skills with customers (e.g. students, staff, management etc.)
• Superior organizational, multitasking, and problem resolution skills.
• Skills in leading a group of employees to accomplish common departmental and university goals.
  
  

Abilities

• Ability to effectively prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.
• Self-starter and ability to effectively prioritize tasks to meet deadlines required.
• Ability to effectively provide expert knowledge, training, and expertise to students, faculty, and staff.
• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with employees, students, and parents in a professional manner.
• Ability to gain and maintain access to federal student aid databases.