Executive Director, Scholarships and Financial Aid

The Executive Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid provides oversight in the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid that disburses over $100 million in annual financial aid by developing policy guidance and directing financial aid strategies, policies, and procedures to serve the university's goals, maximize enrollment results, minimize risk, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and university regulations, policies, and statutes—lead implementation of new software solutions.

• Develops and directs financial aid strategies, policies, and procedures to serve the university's goals, maximize enrollment results, minimize risk, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and university regulations, policies, and statutes; leads proactively, anticipating and responding appropriately to external challenges and regulatory changes
• Provides oversight in the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid and supervises staff; provides leadership for managing risk and developing an effective plan and vision in administering all programs
• Demonstrates objectivity, integrity, and ethical behavior and continuously acquires new skills and knowledge
• Develops policy guidance to clarify legislative provisions
• Develops and maintains standards for all financial aid and scholarship policies and procedures
• Develops proposals for new university opportunities with external agencies and organizations
• Oversees and recommends the development of technical solutions and re-engineered systems
• Collaborates to develop a strong communication and marketing plan, including publications, announcements, and messages of all information related to financial aid and scholarships
• Provides leadership in the continuous improvement of the financial aid management system, coordinating with Information Technology regarding the automation of services, upgrades, and the implementation of various features in the financial aid management system's financial aid module

• Performs all other duties as assigned

Direct Reports:

• Full-time Employees

Delegation of Work:

• Regularly assigns work to subordinate(s)

Supervision Given:

• Has primary responsibility for conducting performance evaluations and making recommendations for hiring and dismissing employees.

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree

Required Experience:

• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in a Financial Aid office, including experience with directing staff and student records.

License/Certification:

• NASFAA Certifications

• Master's Degree

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of Financial Aid regulations, and the related trends, issues, and accepted practices in a higher education environment.

Skills:

• Demonstrable budgeting, financial, and data reporting skills;
• Excellent leadership and management skills;
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Abilities:

• Ability to understand and assess office compliance with federal and state regulations; ability to work collaboratively,
• Ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community.

Primary Work Location:

• Works in an office environment.

Physical Demands:

• Work is performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any unpleasant elements; individual has discretion in relation to walking, standing etc., and has minimal exposure to physical risks.

Commitment to Excellence - UHD

• Demonstrates a commitment to competently perform his/her job duties and responsibilities within established time frames.
• Continuously strives to improve work performance.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her commitments to the university.
• Contributes to the success of the university by consistently providing quality results in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.

Integrity

• Demonstrates high ethical standards of conduct in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her actions.
• Respects and complies with department and university policies, procedures, and work rules.

Respect and Cooperation

• Treats others with courtesy, respect, and dignity in the workplace.
• Promotes cooperation through open and honest communications and consideration of others ideas, thoughts, and opinions.

Accountability

• Accountable for oversight of organizational unit's projects and initiatives; monitors utilization of allocated resources and status of projected time frames.
• Ensures organizational unit's operation are in compliance with university and department policies and procedures; responsible for development and revision of policies and procedures for assigned area(s).
• Resolves complex issues after careful consideration of all relevant information.
• Collaborates with other university administrators to keep the university apprised of significant developments and issues.

Change Management

• Manages the development and implementation of change initiatives to advance the university's goals and objectives.
• Assesses the availability of resources and ascertains additional resources required to effect change within projected timelines.
• Promotes the benefits of new methods, technology, and/or work environments resulting from changes.
• Addresses concerns to minimize impact of potential consequences of changes.
• Provides encouragement and support to employees through the change process.
• Supports changes in the university's organizational structure.

Leadership

• Leads the organizational unit's endeavors to achieve its goals and objectives in support of the university's vision and mission.
• Oversees the organizational unit's operations in accordance with the university's shared values of excellence, student success, inclusiveness, respect, and integrity.
• Fosters a dynamic work environment that encourages teamwork and cooperation.

Financial Administration

• Assesses and modifies organizational unit's budget annually to provide sufficient resources for organizational unit's operations aligned with goals and objectives, in consideration of the university's budget constraints.
• Directs administration of the organizational unit's budget to ensure effective utilization of financial resources and compliance with federal, State, and university policies and procedures.
• Approves disbursement of funds consistent with the organizational unit's budget.
• Monitors status of organizational unit's budget, and directs the resolution of deficiencies and/or discrepancies.

Organizational Engagement

• Positively represents organizational unit to internal and external constituents in support of the organizational unit's efforts and in recognition of its accomplishments.
• Coordinates with other university administrators to collaborate endeavors across organizational units.
• Builds rapport with external constituents to advance the organizational unit's goals and objectives and engage the community with the university's efforts to address the needs and advance the development of the region.
• Competently responds to audits and requests from governmental entities and UH-System on behalf of the organizational unit.

Strategic Planning

• Develops organizational unit's short- and long-term goals and objectives that align with the university's strategic plan.
• Establishes assessment measures to evaluate the organizational unit's progress toward accomplishing its goals and objectives.
• Determines priorities and allocates resources to achieve the organizational unit's goals and objectives.
• Anticipates potential difficulties and concerns, and develops feasible contingency plans.
• Collaborates with other university administrators to coordinate efforts across organizational units.

Talent Management

• Communicates the organizational unit's priorities and initiatives to employees and the importance of their contributions to the organizational unit's goals and objectives.
• Motivates employees by encouraging a commitment to excellence and recognizing employee accomplishments.
• Clearly defines employee responsibilities and expectations; provides guidance and constructive feedback.
• Encourages employee participation in professional development and training, and supports mentoring and on-the-job training to provide the tools for employees to be successful.
• Promotes teamwork and a work environment that fosters cooperation.
• Manages the resolution of performance issues expeditiously and with discretion.

Student Success Indirect Support

• Contributes to student success by assisting students with anything that supports their student experience, whether directly or indirectly.
• Helps students navigate their way through the different offices, programs, and services at the university and/or connects students with the appropriate party(ies).
• Connects students with services or resources that can help them with career exploration, goal selection, and ongoing academic assistance.
• Helps students build peer support networks.
• Encourages student participation in out-of-class activities.
• Provides encouragement and guidance to foster student success.
• Treats students with respect
• Maintains the learning environment to ensure quality and/or sound pedagogy.