Executive Director of Financial Aid - Portland, United States - InsideHigherEd

Description

Executive Director of Financial Aid

Reed College–one of the country's leading liberal arts and sciences colleges–in partnership with the national search firm, Scott Healy & Associates, invites applications and nominations for the new position of Executive Director of Financial Aid.

Reporting directly to the Vice President and Dean of Admission & Financial Aid and acting as a member of the admission and financial aid leadership team, the Executive Director of Financial Aid will provide strategic leadership, vision, oversight, and coordination of the College's office of financial aid during an exciting period of ongoing growth. The Executive Director will supervise four financial aid staff members, support retention efforts, and oversee student work.

The Executive Director of Financial Aid is responsible for the administration of Reed College's financial aid program, including federal, state and institutional funds. The Executive Director of Financial Aid monitors budgets, provides financial-aid related advisement, and establishes procedures and policies in compliance with current federal, state and institutional guidelines.

Reed meets 100 percent of the demonstrated need of all admitted first-year and transfer students, international or domestic, for all four years. Reed seeks to make a college education affordable and accessible to all students, regardless of family financial circumstances. Financial aid is awarded on the basis of need, as determined by the CSS Profile and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In addition, Reed College does not offer NCAA sports, and therefore does not award athletic scholarships.

The Office of Financial Aid provides innovative service, thoughtful financial counseling and education, and strong stewardship of both family and College resources, as the team is responsible for the disbursement of $50 million in financial aid, including $39.5 million of institutional grants. The Office of Financial Aid also includes management of the student employment processes for hiring departments, supervisors, and student employees. Over 1,000 Reed undergraduates work on campus, earning wages of over $1.5 million.

Reed College is a highly-selective and diverse college devoted to the intrinsic value of intellectual pursuit and is governed by the highest standards of scholarly practice, critical thought, and creativity. Reed College enjoys a national reputation as a leader in liberal arts education. With 1,521 undergraduate students, a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and an average class size of 15, all classes are taught by professors (there are no adjuncts), and the college consistently attracts bright, highly motivated students who are creative and independent. The academic program begins with a yearlong interdisciplinary humanities course and ends with the senior thesis, an independent research project that all students complete. Reed College highly values cultural diversity and intellectual pluralism as critical components of academic excellence.

The college's historic campus is located in the city of Portland, Oregon, which provides a natural balance between metropolitan culture and the extraordinary natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Portland is home to inspiring food and music scenes, cultivated gardens and forested parks, internationally recognized museums and galleries, and Powell's, the largest independent bookstore in the world. At the same time, it is only 90 minutes away from the windswept beaches of the Pacific and the snowcapped mountains of the Cascade Range (where Reed owns a ski cabin on Mount Hood).

Reed College is committed to building a culturally inclusive community and a work environment that respects and inspires every person. Your unique skills, work history, cultural contributions, and lived experiences are essential to building this community. Members of historically marginalized groups including women, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), those with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, those who have served in the military, and members of other underrepresented communities are invited to apply.

Primary responsibilities for the Executive Director of Financial Aid include:

Financial aid strategy development and fiscal management:

• Serve as a member of the enrollment management leadership team in the creation, implementation, and execution of a strategic financial aid plan using data-informed decisions to maximize financial resources for the recruitment and retention of students.
• Partner with the Vice President of Enrollment Management in strategic planning to develop financial aid packaging models to best meet enrollment, retention, and net tuition revenue goals.
• Manage the allocation and oversight of operating budgets for the Office of Financial Aid.

Program management and compliance:

• Remain current on all federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Review and research compliance questions and concerns throughout the college, providing regulatory guidance as required.
• Guarantee institutional adherence to governmental regulations by meticulously preparing all monitoring and audit reports accurately and promptly. Additionally, spearhead the proposal and execution of solutions to address any findings identified during audits, ensuring comprehensive compliance across the board.
• Provide oversight and management over all audit functions, both internal and external, related to the administration of all financial aid programs.
• Manage and submit all reports required and various external surveys.
• Review and update annual packaging formulas used to award financial aid, maintaining the Institutional Packaging Policy.
• Develop policy and procedure improvements to accomplish campus initiatives.
• Organize financial aid data for presentation to various audiences, including senior leadership, regulatory agencies, staff, and students

Leadership and supervision:

• Provide leadership, supervision, coaching, mentoring and training to one Associate Director, one Assistant Director, and two Financial Aid Counselors. Establish annual office goals and evaluate goal development and review of staff.
• Manage professional staff, encompassing recruitment, onboarding, and training processes.
• Keep staff informed and involved. Demonstrate and promote high standards for quality, productivity, and service.

Collaboration:

• Collaborate with the Advancement Office to coordinate the management of Endowed and Annual Scholarships in accordance with the specifications outlined by donors.
• Collaborate with academic departments and campus administrative units to foster effective collaboration.
• Collaborate with the Admission office and other units to support student recruitment, retention, and graduation.

Technology:

• Oversee the use of the Ellucian Banner Financial Aid system and the data integration with Technolutions Slate.
• Oversee the use of various College Board products, including CSS Profile, Net Price Calculator, and Institutional Document Service (IDOC).
• Work with institutional technology and other campus partners to ensure the successful and secure maintenance of student information systems.
• Explore possibility of selecting and implementing a new financial aid management system.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 10 years of directly related work experience required.
• Minimum of 5 years in leadership roles with progressively increased responsibilities required.
• Experience with the Ellucian Banner ERP System preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to effectively communicate with students and College personnel.
• Ability to organize effectively.
• Demonstrated expert level computing skills and technological proficiency with database and data manipulation products.
• Exceptional oral and written communications skills.
• Creative problem solving.
• Strategic development, though and planning.
• Understanding of and experience working with diverse population.

Application and Nomination Process:

All correspondence relating to the position of Executive Director of Financial Aid at Reed College should be directed in confidence to Reed College's executive search consultant:

Christopher Healy, President

Scott Healy & Associates

A complete application should include the following:

1. Cover Letter outlining your interest and qualifications for the position;
2. Updated CV;
3. Three (3) professional references with contact information, title, institutional affiliation, email address and direct phone numbers. (No references will be contacted without written permission from the candidate.)

Applications received by July 12, 2024 will receive priority consideration. The search will remain open until the position is filled.