Assistant Director, Financial Aid Operations

Position Summary:

As a Catholic, Marianist research University, we are a diverse community committed to educating the whole person and linking learning and scholarship with leadership and service. The division of Strategic Enrollment Management is focused on service excellence to recruit, enroll and graduate highly qualified students and improve access, affordability, diversity, inclusion, and success. We invite qualified candidates to apply for our Assistant Director, Financial Aid Operations opening!

The Assistant Director, Financial Aid Operations plays a critical role in these efforts and is responsible for executing, troubleshooting, and proactively managing various daily financial aid processes. Reporting to the Senior Associate Director, this position has a broad knowledge of financial aid and is able to support a variety of areas within financial aid operations. Their primary duty is the management of all daily private loan processing functions. This requires the individual to work with multiple internal and external constituents to ensure efficiency in the management of this financial aid program. This individual is expected to work autonomously to ensure that all responsibilities are executed in a timely fashion and is able to troubleshoot areas of inefficiency that cause service issues by collaborating with colleagues, as necessary.

The Assistant Director is responsible for the processes that provide students with financial aid eligibility including the review of FAFSA's and awarding of aid via system rules. Additionally, this staff member manages incoming documentation received via mail, fax and email, coding documents for electronic imaging, and aligning resources to ensure high volumes during peak periods are appropriately managed. The Assistant Director also manages the import and export of various files exchanged with third parties, including those related to Federal, State, and private financial aid. This includes working closely with technical staff in UDIT to ensure automated functions are running effectively and troubleshooting issues accordingly. Additionally, the Assistant Director reviews various records and reports to ensure accuracy of data and support the proactive service needs of the office. This role regularly assists the Senior Associate Director, Compliance and Special Projects with financial aid compliance-related projects. In this role, there is a high level of interaction with internal and external constituents and advanced problem-solving skills are required.

As a Catholic, Marianist University, we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to the success of students and staff. The Assistant Director will work individually and as a member of a team to make tangible contributions to UD's efforts to become an anti-racist university. All employees are empowered to attend workshops, seminars, and other educational experiences to deepen their understanding of our mission. The Assistant Director is expected to meet semi-annually with their supervisor to identify the ways in which they are both individually and collaboratively working to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion within the University of Dayton community.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree OR five years of experience working in financial aid with progressive growth in responsibilities
Strong written communication skills and attention to detail
Problem-solving skills
A minimum of 3 years experience in Financial Aid
Ability to successfully improve and streamline processes
Successful use of data to make decisions

Preferred Qualifications:

While not everyone may possess all of the preferred qualifications, the ideal candidate will bring many of the following:

Master's Degree in Higher Education or Business is preferred
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues
Enrollment Management or Higher Education experience at a private University
Experience with Ellucian Banner
Ability to handle various assignments at once and work in a fast-paced environment
Demonstrated approach to work with adaptability and a desire to learn
Understanding of Banner data fields for reporting needs
Experience with the Salesforce CRM environment
Strong customer-oriented approach and the demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with diverse constituencies
Demonstrated ability to perform at a high level of efficiency
Ability to solve complex problems and work independently
Strong oral communication skills
Ability to work with diverse staff, students, and families in a manner consistent with Catholic and Marianist values and principles

Special Instructions to Applicants:

To apply please submit a cover letter addressing each minimum qualification and any applicable preferred qualifications that you meet.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The University does not provide work visa sponsorship for this position.

Closing Statement:

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity, achieve equitable outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. As an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer, we will not discriminate against minorities, women, protected veterans, individuals with disabilities, or on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity.