Director – Student Financial Services

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Benefits of Being a Lindenwood Employee:

• Upon hire, employer-paid tuition benefits for bachelor’s (employee, spouse, and dependent) and master’s degree programs (employee and spouse only).
• Tuition discounts for doctoral programs (employee only).
• Comprehensive benefits plan: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement options.
• Paid holidays: MLK Jr. day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving break (Wednesday – Friday), and winter break (Dec. 23 – Jan. 1).
• Free lunch Fridays: LU employees are eligible for a free meal on Fridays at the Evans Commons Dining Hall or Spellman Dining Hall; Chick-fil-A and Qdoba included.   
• Professional development opportunities through the Lindenwood Learning Academy.

Job Title: Director, Student Financial Services

Division: Enrollment and Marketing

Evaluation Group: Staff Administrator             

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports To: Assistant Vice President, Student Financial Services

Positions Supervised: Financial Aid Team Managers

The director of student financial aid is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the financial aid office, ensuring efficiency, productivity, and compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations. This role requires proactive monitoring of staff performance, supporting compliance efforts, and fostering continuous improvement in daily financial aid operations. The director of student financial aid also manages the department’s communication efforts, including student announcements, nudging initiatives, and website updates to ensure students receive clear and timely financial aid information. The position will also provide continuous training related to federal and state regulatory updates along with written procedures. Additionally, this position is responsible for leading and supporting financial aid advisors and financial aid team managers, ensuring they provide exceptional customer service while guiding students through the financial aid process. 

The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and level of responsibility that will be required of positions given this title. This job description shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Job Responsibilities and Execution

• Develops and executes departmental vision that addresses student financial concerns, as well as emphasizes and promotes retention and graduation rates
• Implements new policies and procedures related to external and internal regulations and rule changes, ensuring staff are trained accordingly
• Adheres to the net tuition revenue budget by ensuring strategic utilization of institutional funds
• Establishes and maintains the student information system in order to automate and streamline SFS processes and communications
• Reviews and updates the Electronic Application for Approval to Participate in Federal Student Financial Aid Programs (E-APP) and Eligibility and Certification Approval Report (ECAR) as necessary for institutional participation in Title IV funds
• Establishes criteria for clearing students financially for check-in processes
• Monitors student accounts receivables to ensure timely collection from current students
• Updates and monitors the financial aid web page for changes and/or updates
• Works with members of the University community on items of compliance, federal and state regulations, and NCAA Division I regulations
• Coordinates student communications with the Bursar’s Office, Admissions, Student Accounts, and other student services offices
• Ensures timely and accurate aid awarding, disbursement, and reconciliation

Leadership and Strategic Thinking

• Establishes long- and short-term strategic goals based on assessment data and ensures standards for the department and its field are met or exceeded
• Adapts and modifies leadership based on new information and/or data; works to set and unite people on the new direction
• Utilizes effective strategies to build collaboration for maximum execution
• Aligns division/department purpose and actions with relevant University initiatives and higher education trends
• Works with campus leadership to ensure financial strategies are in place to promote enrollment and maximize tuition revenue
• Assists in identifying areas of improvement and acts as a change agent
• Conducts regular financial analysis to assist with forecasting and predictive modeling

Employee Management and Development

• Supports the mission of the University and serves as an ambassador of the Q2 culture of service excellence
• Models, supports, and holds others accountable to the University’s values and Enrollment and Marketing Team Culture
• Recruits, interviews, recommends, welcomes, observes, and monitors performance of department staff
• Sets clear performance expectations and holds employees accountable
• Conducts annual employee evaluations based on evidence, observation, and feedback
• Provides autonomy and resources to support and enable staff to meet job expectations

Job may require other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications – An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered. Additional requirements may be designated by position.

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of 5 years’ leadership experience in the area of student finance
• Experience with Student Financial Services Model preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – May be representative, but not all inclusive, of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform this job competently

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures
• Excellent analytical skills to allow for accurate reporting and analysis of data on financial aid leveraging and institutional methodology awarding
• Ability to generate and interpret ad hoc data reports for use by internal and external groups related to financial services, financial aid programs, discount rates, etc.
• Working knowledge of enrollment management best practices
• Ability to interpret and implement federal, state, and institutional awarding rules
• Familiarity with NCAA Division I athletics financial aid compliance regulations
• Ability to coordinate with other departments
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with staff and students
• Highly organized and able to direct multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong professional integrity and ability to maintain strict confidentiality
• Ability to use good judgment and think critically
• Proficient in general office software, particularly Microsoft Office Suite and financial aid proprietary applications (Anthology, Workday, Common Origination and Disbursement  [COD], and National Student Loan Data System [NSLDS])

Work Environment – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of this job’s functions.  Please click here to view Lindenwood University’s flexible work designation descriptions.

• Fully On-Ground 
• Non-Standard Flex
• General office setting

Physical Abilities – The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform this job’s essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to work effectively at a computer for extended time daily
• Regular attendance is a required and essential function
• Ability to lift/carry items commonly found in an office setting including, but not limited to, documents, laptops, keyboards, etc.
• Ability to use repetitive wrist, hand, and finger movements to type regularly
• Ability to sit/stand for extended periods of time

Equal Opportunity Employer

Lindenwood University is an Equal Opportunity employer. The University complies with appropriate federal, state, and local laws and provides equal employment opportunities and access to educational programs without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other protected status to all qualified applicants and employees.  Lindenwood University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and dedicated to providing a positive discrimination-free educational work environment.