Director of Financial Aid
Full time, 12-months
M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., some evening and weekend work as needed
The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The director of financial aid is responsible for the overall operation and management
of the financial aid office. This responsibility includes developing an overall financial
aid program for Bluffton University; managing the development of financial aid packages
for all undergraduate and graduate students who qualify; disbursing gift and loan
aid to all students; overseeing day-to-day operation of the office; supervising salaried,
hourly and student staff; developing and maintaining the office budget; and bringing
continuous improvement to Bluffton University’s ability to serve students’ financial
aid needs. The director of financial aid will work closely with the VP for enrollment
management and the director of admissions to develop overall, long term strategies
for attracting students to Bluffton.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
These essential responsibilities are those the individual must be able to perform
unaided or with the assistance of reasonable accommodation.
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Financial Aid Management:
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Manage a financial aid program that will result in aid awards and disbursement that meet institutional goals, and strategic planning goals (e.g., discount rates, recruiting, conversion and retention).
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Set and implement policies and procedures for awarding financial aid that are in compliance with federal and state laws and institutional policies.
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Meet all deadlines for compliance reporting to federal, state and other agencies. Manage the A-133 annual audit process. Assure the accuracy of all reported data.
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Initiate and disburse gift aid and loans to all eligible students.
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Exercise appropriate professional judgment within the boundaries of the letter and intent of the law, and within the ethical boundaries of Bluffton’s mission.
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Coordinate records with the registrar’s office and the business office for accuracy.
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Help recruit students through a trustworthy explanation of financial aid availability.
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Develop and maintain the financial aid office budget, in coordination with the vice president for enrollment management.
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Lead the financial aid staff, plus student workers, to coordinate all financial aid functions and develop the contributions of the staff.
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Serve as the financial aid resource person for the campus community, and for prospective students and their families.
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Keep up to date on the issues and trends in financial aid at the local, state and federal levels.
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Take initiative to continuously improve Bluffton’s financial aid content and processes, as well as strategies to better serve the students.
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Understand and manage campus data-based financial software. Function effectively in a Jenzabar/PowerFAIDS environment.
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Supervision:
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Supervise regular and student employees to include interviewing, hiring, training, planning, assigning and directing work, coaching, appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, addressing complaints and resolving problems.
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Must have a mindset of mentoring employees under supervision. Should be able to lead in a way that sets a good example, promotes teamwork, and encourages a positive, efficient work environment.
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Occasional responsibilities:
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Develop financial aid literature, in collaboration with admissions.
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Work closely with academic departments and the athletic department, in answering financial aid questions.
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Maintain connection with professional contacts and organizations in the area of financial aid. Represent Bluffton University at Mennonite Financial Aid Officers meetings and other appropriate professional meetings (e.g. OASFAA).
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Serve on various campus committees such as: the tuition and financial aid implementation team, the summer orientation planning committee and the Presidential Scholarship planning committee.
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Oversee updates and maintenance of the financial aid section of the university website.
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Work closely with Bluffton’s external enrollment & revenue management system provider.
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Occasional evening and/or weekend duties as needed.
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Other tasks as assigned by vice president for enrollment management.
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PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND GROWTH AREAS:
- Discovery: Demonstrates both job and professional knowledge, and continuously learns.
- Community: Actively collaborates, applies teamwork principles and communicates effectively.
- Respect: Values differences, works at resolving conflict, shows respect and builds trust.
- Service: Achieves needed results; quality and quantity. Takes responsibility, is dependable,
and can manages multiple tasks effectively.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability
required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties of this job.
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Minimum:
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Education and/or Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, higher education administration or related field required. -
Special Skills:
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Strong written and verbal communication, must have ability to work with a variety of different people, and must be able to manage complex data
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Strong administrative, supervisory, interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills are required, as is a strong commitment to working with students and their parents
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Strong understanding of federal and state laws that govern the financial aid industry
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Ability to work in a rapidly changing regulatory environment
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Diversity & Faith Commitment:
Bluffton University expects all employees to show respect in the workplace and not to base business decisions on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other status protected by law. As a religious institution, Bluffton University welcomes its faculty and staff and encourages respectful consideration of the Christian faith which is consistent with the Mennonite/Anabaptist beliefs of the university’s founding and supporting church.
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Preferred:
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Master’s degree in a related field.
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Previous, progressive work experience in financial aid. 2-3 years of supervisory experience in financial aid work.
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PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- The physical demands and/or work environment encountered by the employee while performing the essential responsibilities of this job must be met with or without reasonable accommodations. Reasonable accommodations will be considered and implemented when possible to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities of this position. Secondary responsibilities may be removed when needed as an accommodation strategy.
APPLICATION MATERIALS:
Applications are considered complete when the following materials are received at
the office indicated below:
- Letter of interest
- Resume
- Completed Bluffton employment application
Send application materials to:
hr@bluffton.edu