Director of Financial Aid

The University of San Francisco seeks inquiries, applications and nominations for the position of Director of Financial Aid.  Reporting to the Assistant Vice Provost for Student Financial Services, the Director of Financial Aid (DFA) is the chief financial aid officer of the University for graduate, undergraduate, and online programs.

About the University

The University of San Francisco, located in the heart of San Francisco, is a premier Jesuit university that inspires students to create a more humane, just, and sustainable world. One of the most diverse universities in the nation and a leader in international education, USF enrolls about 11,000 students in its five schools and colleges: the School of Law, the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Management, the School of Education and the School of Nursing and Health Professions. Students come from 46 states and 87 countries to make a difference in their chosen fields with support of outstanding faculty who prepare students to thrive not only in the workplace, but in life.

The main USF campus sits on 55 acres near Golden Gate Park. In addition, the University offers classes at four Northern California branch campuses (Sacramento, San Jose, Santa Rosa and Pleasanton), at a Southern California branch campus, and in downtown San Francisco.

About the Position

The Director of Financial Aid is a department leader in Student Financial Services within the division of Strategic Enrollment Management which reports to the Provost.  The Director of Financial Aid reports to the Assistant Vice Provost for Financial Services. The Director will oversee a staff of 7 and a financial aid budget of over $90 million. The DFA will play a critical role in contributing to the development of overall pricing and aid strategy and collaborating with admissions, both graduate and undergraduate, on recruitment initiatives.

The ideal candidate will be a self-starter, highly experienced and successful. Strong hands-on experience in all facets of delivery and reporting student financial aid services is essential. The individual must have a clear vision as to the critical role student financial aid plays in the recruitment and retention of students. Collaborations to increase efficiencies, improvements in processes and procedures, and policies that impact customer service are highly regarded expectations. The candidate should desire to work in a collegial, vision-minded atmosphere with ample amounts of both challenges and laughter.

The Director of Financial Aid will focus on and be responsible for:

  • Administrative oversight for accurate and effective disbursement of federal, state, University and non-institutional funds; and ensure compliance with applicable regulations and policies. Plan, implement, monitor and evaluate systems and use of available Financial Aid funds and university resources for maximum utilization and support of the University's mission.
  • Direct development and implementation of support systems and procedures for processing, awarding and disbursing Financial Aid and scholarships so that transactions are accurate, fair, equitable, accessible, timely and responsive to students' needs.
  • Recruit, hire, train, supervise, develop and evaluate employees who administer and process Financial Aid. Acquire sufficient resources (hardware, software, equipment and supplies) for staff to perform their jobs effectively and efficiently. Review needs so that the department is optimally staffed and organized to perform quality work, and ensure all employees are provided quality training opportunities. Work with staff to focus on providing excellent customer service and maintain cordial working relationships with students, parents, the campus community and external customers.
  • Provide formal and informal representation in campus, community, and other professional settings, and to the leadership of all such constituencies, advocating for the interests of students, the University, and the Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid.
  • Establish and maintain effective oral, written, print and electronic media communications for current and prospective students, parents, University personnel and the general public so that current requirements as well as continuing changes in Financial Aid are communicated in a clear and understandable manner.
  • Evaluate data and trends to prepare detailed reports required by federal, state, University and agency funding sources, ensuring they are timely, accurate, complete and realistic.
  • Interpret, inform and advise University administration about changes in Financial Aid so that the impact on budget, services, University resources and enrollment is identified.
  • Initiate and respond to requests for mediation, interpretation, advice or opinion regarding all aspects of Financial Aid.
  • Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the smooth functioning of the department and maintain the reputation of the organization as a viable business partner.
  • Exceptional organizational and time management skills with demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, prioritize, and effectively execute multiple initiatives, programs, and events in a high-pressure, decision-making role, meeting established deadlines and assuming responsibility for potentially controversial issues.
  • Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, discretion, ingenuity, and innovation to resolve complex and often highly visible issues, with campus-wide impact.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must possess a Minimum of a Bachelor's degree (Master's degree preferred) from a four-year accredited college or university, and a minimum of five years full-time experience in financial aid at a post-secondary institution with experience that aligns to the representative duties listed above. In addition to five (5) or more years of progressively responsible Financial Aid administration or management experience in a college or university setting, an essential qualification is strong experience using highly computerized systems.

Additional qualifications include:

  • Expert knowledge of federal, state or University Financial Aid regulations, policies and procedures. Ability to manage a significant amount of Financial Aid funds from multiple sources, demonstrating compliance with applicable regulations and policies.
  • Demonstrated experience exercising fiscal responsibility for federal, state and University resources.
  • Demonstrated participation in successful development and utilization of technologies and procedures that provide Financial Aid services.
  • Experience administering Financial Aid to a diverse student population.
  • Demonstrated leadership, organizational, management and supervisory skills in a Financial Aid Office
  • Strong interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff, government entities, ancillary services and the general public.
  • Must have enthusiasm for and ability to successfully and expertly manage the complex world of financial aid including a strong skill-set of working with computers and software programs (e.g. Banner, Word, Excel, and Academic Works).
  • Experience working with NCAA Compliance regarding Financial Aid
  • Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure, policies and procedures.
  • Participation in developing financial aid policies and procedures that complement the University's mission and vision
  • Demonstrated ability to interpret and implement complex system-wide and campus policies; ability to work in a results-orientated, fast-paced environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
  • Demonstrated ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds

How to Apply

Interested individuals should send a letter of application that indicates how their skills and experiences align with the stated qualifications for the position and a resume. Confidentiality will be maintained and references will not be contacted without prior approval of the candidate.

The packet should be sent electronically to USF@wspelman.com. The subject line in the email should be DFAUSF. Confidential inquiries may be made by contacting Michael Geffen at Mike@wspelman.com at 951-201-8800 or Bill Spelman at Bill@wpelman.com at 585-787-9742.

For full consideration, all materials should be received by October 27, 2017. Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.

The University of San Francisco values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, medical condition (cancer-related and genetic-related), ancestry, national origin, race, religion, religious creed, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by law.