Director, Financial Aid

The Director of Financial Aid reports to the VP Enrollment Management and  Marketing (VP) and oversees the Financial Aid department's daily operations to ensure high-quality customer service and adherence to state and federal regulatory standards. This leadership position includes managing staff, coordinating system updates, overseeing financial aid processing, ensuring compliance with federal/state regulations and data submissions, managing audits, and providing policy interpretation and communication leadership. Additionally, the Director collaborates with the VP on financial aid budget oversight (undergraduate and graduate) and technological advancements while maintaining university financial aid policies and participating in various leadership duties. This position ensures that all federal/state/institutional grant programs, including loan programs, comply with federal/state/intuitional regulations and audit compliance with the University's Federal Compliance Single Audit A-133.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must satisfactorily perform each essential duty. The items below represent the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required or preferred.  

● This position requires effectively establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships within a diverse, multicultural environment. 

● Employee cannot be in default of Title IV loans.  

1. Knowledge  

● Demonstrated knowledge of financial aid policies, procedures, eligibility requirements, applicable federal and state regulations, and/or experience working in a highly regulated financial industry. 

● PC proficiency is required, including experience with database management. Knowledge of Microsoft Office, spreadsheets, and Google Mail applications is preferred. 

● Individuals with knowledge of the CSS IM calculation are especially encouraged to apply. 

● Knowledge and experience with student information systems (Colleague preferred) and data processing. 

● Knowledge of data management and optimization principles. 

● Understanding of tuition leveraging strategies and execution priorities.  

● Knowledge of change and performance management.  

2. Skills  

● Exceptional organizational skills, strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and effectively with changing priorities in a high-stress, fast-paced environment are required. 

● Must have excellent and effective communication skills and the ability to resolve a wide range of issues from inquiring students, parents, and other staff.  

● Strong computer skills and other related equipment are required.

● Knowledge of regulatory compliance principles and practices. 

● Knowledge of administrative procedures and practices. 

● Skill in people leadership and supervision. 

● Skill in independent decision-making. 

● Skill in positive, productive, and flexible customer service. 

● Skill in budget/resource management. 

● Strong skills in using Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Colleague, and other systems and software. 

3. Abilities  

● Ability to develop and maintain effective and positive working relationships.

● Ability to apply analytical and critical thinking skills, draw conclusions, and prepare accurate reports or results. 

● Must be able to work effectively with changing priorities in a high-stress, fast-paced environment, and a demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks.

● Ability to interpret complex institutional, state, and federal regulations; exercise independent judgment in making decisions. 

● Must be able to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, and parents from diverse backgrounds. 

● Ability to manage confidential information. 

● Understanding and supporting traditional and professional adult students and their families with a commitment to the fundamental values of service to others, community, and diversity. 

Required Qualifications:

● Master's degree preferred; bachelor’s degree required.  

● Minimum of six (6) years of financial aid management experience demonstrating increasing responsibility.  

● At least three (3) years of primary responsibility for FISAP and other regulatory compliance reporting preferred  

● Minimum five (5) years of multi-tiered staff supervision in a service environment. 

● Demonstrated experience working in financial aid or a highly regulated industry/environment. 

● Demonstrated experience with independently coordinating long-term projects from implementation to completion. 

Additional Position Information:

• Open until filled

• Must be willing to consent to a background check

About the University

Dominican University of California is committed to academic excellence, social justice, and community engagement. The University values diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages applications from candidates who share these commitments.

Dominican University of California is an independent, international, learner-centered university, offering both undergraduate and graduate programs. Dominican has a 1:10 teacher-to-student ratio, an average class size of 16, with a small-town feeling in a park- like campus. We blend interdisciplinary core courses, real-world studies, and small classes with close and supportive academic advising and mentoring.

Dominican University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to excellence through diversity, and takes pride in its multicultural environment. We are committed in thought, word, and deed to recruiting and retaining a workforce that values the diversity of its student body. The University actively promotes an institutional culture that practices equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from members of all under-represented groups in higher education.

Dominican University of California participates in E-Verify, an online system used to verify the employment eligibility of all new hires in accordance with federal law.