Director of Financial Aid

At LSSC your success is our mission.
We value People. Our employees are empowered to take actions that positively impact our students and each other. We value Diversity. By embracing and celebrating our differences, we offer an inclusive and supportive work culture. We value Forward Thinking. By encouraging innovation and a collaboration, we foster a creative learning environment for students and staff. If you are looking for a place with ample opportunity to grow in your career, consider LSSC.

We are seeking a detailed-oriented, thorough, and organized director to join our growing institution. In this position, you will play a key role in departmental planning and oversee your team’s progress. The Director provides the leadership and management of the Financial Aid Office, its staff, and the student financial aid program and ensures that Financial Aid services are delivered in a timely manner, following regulatory compliance, and with good stewardship of institutional, private, federal, and state financial aid funds. This position will be expected to travel to the Leesburg campus on a weekly basis. Responsible for demonstrating LSSC’s values of learning, people, student success, forward thinking, commitment to excellence, accessibility, diversity, partnerships, and sound management practices.
 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Supervise all college wide federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs.  Interpret, implement, and insure compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, rules, and guidelines relating to financial aid.
2. Develops and implements internal policies and procedures to insure compliance.
3. Manage the daily operations of Financial Aid, including customer services management, a focus on establishment and updating of policies and procedures to align with College directives and all federal, and state guidelines, and attention to continuous improvements efforts. 
4. Oversee 4 direct reports and two indirect reports including annual evaluations and retain higher-level oversight of operations staff who report to the Associate Director. 
5. Keep staff informed on new regulations, legislation, code, policies and procedures, including identification and dissemination of appropriate training opportunities, planning and participation in regular meetings. 
6. Researches federal policy and makes decisions about unusual circumstances (appeals) presented by students. 
7. Support packaging of financial aid awards and departmental responses to financial aid appeals; provide oversight of award process to ensure compliance as well as exception free audits and program reviews related to the programs administered by the Financial Aid Office. 
8. Develop and administers the department operations budget. 
9. Leads the continuous improvement of services offered by the Financial Aid Office through coordinating evaluation and making recommendations for program revision. 
10. Counsel students, families, faculty, and staff in financial aid and related financial literacy. 
11. Present on Financial Aid within the community and at College events when needed. Serves on various college and other organizational committees. Co-processes various financial functions. 
12. Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

 EDUCATION: Required: Minimum Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
                  
EXPERIENCE: Required: Minimum 5-8 years of experience of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration. Previous experience as an Associate or Assistant Director.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Advanced knowledge of state, federal and institutional regulations and guidelines relating to financial aid programs.  
• Advanced knowledge of the total financial aid process from procurement through delivery of funds.  
• Knowledge of and experience with SCT Banner financial aid software and demonstrated skills in electronic spreadsheet and database software. 
• Demonstrated financial/fiscal management skills including forecasting and projections.  
• Excellent analytical, information management, and problem-solving skills.  
• Outstanding human relations, written, oral and presentation skills. 
• Proven leadership in the areas of supervision, teaching, training, and motivating staff. 
• Ability to give strong direction to financial aid leveraging strategies to enhance recruitment and retention.  
• Strong student/customer service orientation.