Executive Director Financial Aid

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The Executive Director of Financial Aid provides strategic leadership direction, and oversight for all aspects of student financial aid administration and compliance. This position is responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs while supporting the institutional enrollment, retention, and student success objectives.

The Executive Director of Financial Aid reports to the Executive Vice President and serves as a senior leader and Full Sail Ambassador within Financial Aid and collaborates closely with senior leadership, finance, admissions, student affairs, compliance, and academic departments to develop and implement student-centered financial strategies that support institutional growth. This position is responsible for maintaining compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations, including title IV requirements while promoting service quality, fiscal responsibility and continuous operational influence.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Institutional Impact

• Provide executive leadership for the overall financial aid strategy, ensuring alignment with institutional goals, enrollment objectives, and student success initiatives.
• Serve as a senior advisor on matters related to student affordability, funding models, and financial access.
• Drive innovation and transformation within financial aid operations to improve the student experience and institutional effectiveness.
• Champion a culture of service excellence, integrity, and accountability across the organization.

Regulatory Oversight & Compliance

• Ensure institutional compliance all applicable federal, state, and accreditation regulations governing financial aid programs, including Title IV requirements.
• Provide executive oversight of policy development, risk management, and audit readiness.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes, assessing impact and guiding institutional response strategies.
• Maintain a strong compliance framework that mitigates institutional risk while supporting student access.

Operational Excellence & Organizational Leadership

• Oversee the performance, structure, and scalability of the financial aid organization to support current and future institutional needs.
• Lead and develop a high-performing leadership team, fostering engagement, accountability, and professional growth.
• Establish performance metrics and ensure continuous improvement in service delivery, accuracy, and timeliness.
• Ensure the effective integration of systems, processes, and technology to support efficient operations.
• Lead corrective action planning and remediation efforts related to audit findings, compliance concerns or regulatory issues.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to align financial aid strategies with enrollment, retention, and student success initiatives.
• Serve as a key institutional representative with external stakeholders, including government agencies, industry associations, and strategic partners.
• Promote collaboration across departments to deliver a seamless, student-centered experience.

Data Strategy & Continuous Improvement

• Leverage data and analytics to inform decision-making, optimize resource allocation, and enhance student outcomes.
• Establish reporting frameworks to monitor effectiveness, compliance, and student impact.
• Identify and implement opportunities for process improvement, innovation, and scalability.

Other Responsibilities:

• Adheres to the policies and procedures of Full Sail University
• Maintains strict confidentiality of company and personnel information
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to the mission and values of the organization
• Adheres to company attendance standards
• Performs other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities:   ☒YES                    ☐  NO

If YES, then the below applies in addition to those listed in Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Recruits, interviews, hires, and trains staff in their department.
• Oversees the schedules and responsibilities of staff in their department.
• Provides constructive and timely staff performance evaluations. 
• Follows established guidelines for employee disciplinary action as determined by Full Sail policies and procedures.

Competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to lead large, complex functions and influence institutional direction.
• Deep knowledge of financial aid programs, compliance frameworks, and industry best practices.
• Strong understanding of evolving regulatory environments and risk mitigation.
• Proven experience leading transformation, scaling operations, and driving continuous improvement.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and executive communication skills.
• Ability to translate data insights into strategic actions.
• Demonstrated expertise in Veterans Educational Benefits and Federal Financial Aid regulations, including needs analysis, packaging principles, and program administration.
• Ability to obtain and maintain access to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) in accordance with federal guidelines.
• Proven ability to work autonomously while effectively managing multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Education Leadership or a related discipline.
• Significant progressive leadership experience in financial aid or a related field within higher education.
• Demonstrated success in leading large teams, managing complex operations, and driving strategic initiatives.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:  

• N/A

Computer/Equipment Skills:

• Proficiency with CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, CampusVue)
• Strong Microsoft Office Suite and presentation skills.
• Comfortability navigating cloud-based systems and learning new software platforms.
• Ability to navigate digital communication platforms.

Environmental Factors/Physical Demands:

Work is performed in an office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to have the ability to maintain active customer and employee communication; access, input and retrieve information from the computer system; enter alphanumeric data into a computerized system often while listening on the telephone. (May be subject to bending, reaching, kneeling, stooping and lifting up to thirty (30) pounds.)

Full Sail is an Equal Opportunity Employer.