Director Operations, Financial Aid Processing

Position Summary

The Director Operations, Financial Aid Processing, oversees the leadership culture, outcomes of the team,growth of the team, integration of new support structures as appropriate, and sets the strategic initiatives of the Processing Team to alignwith the university's strategic initiatives. Ensures that the processing outcomes are achieved in full compliance with regulatoryexpectations while continuing to evaluate processes and policies for improved execution within the team. Collaborates interdepartmentally toensure that processes are executed to the fullest efficiencies possible. Also provides guidance and support for new initiatives and growthopportunities within the university. Ensures the university and affiliates are in compliance with all applicable federal/state statutes andregulations. Provides leadership to the Associate Director(s) of Processing.

Essential Functions:

• Developand implement effective and innovative plans to achieve strategic vision.
• Maintain compliance with external regulations and internalpolicies.
• Assess and report progress as it relates to departmental objectives.
• Conduct performance reviews, individualizeddevelopment plans, and performance management improvement plans.
• Provide coaching and oversee the professional development ofAssociate Directors.
• Ensure Associate Directors are effectively leading day to day operational outcomes.
• Serve as a mentorand guide to each team member.
• Develop and implement short and long-term strategies to retain students.
• Ensure that teamretention targets are achieved, relating to the University's strategic goals and metrics.
• Provide leadership to the process ofeffectively operationalizing departmental processes.
• Prepare and maintain departmental metrics and related reports.
• Analyzeand implement strategic initiatives to address areas of concern within the department.
• Implement and monitor changes in policy andprocedure to ensure compliance with all regulatory and accreditation requirements and changes.
• Collaborate with the QualityAssurance team, and other interdepartmental leaders, to ensure institutional compliance.
• Participate in committees and task forcesdesigned to improve policies, procedures, and business practices.
• Ensure Associate Directors are effectively managing day to dayoperations including, but not limited to, team member oversight (role/responsibility completion, documentation, performance management, andattendance).
• Oversee the entire business unit in the absence of the Associate Vice President.
• Attend Business UnitLeadership team meetings.
• Uphold the standard of conduct and all other policies and procedures.
• Identify opportunities andrecommend changes to improve the University.
• Participate in training and continuous education to improve skillset.
• Responsible for team member retention analysis and strategic planning to increase retention (turnover statistics, retentionstrategies, training, etc.).
• Oversee headcount and ensure ratio alignment and adjustments in overall budget headcount to align withratio need and departmental strategies.
• Oversee talent acquisition, headcount analysis, and team structure.
• Oversee allprocesses, outcomes, timely completion, and deliverables from the Processing team including, but not limitedto:
  • Packaging
  • Disbursing
  • R2T4
  • Verification
  • C-code reviews
  • Professionaljudgments
  • Credit balance
• Oversee daily communication with the Department of Education systems, including importingand exporting Title IV aid data.
• Recommend, implement, and document policy and procedural changes and collaborate with otheraffiliate staff to ensure institutional compliance.
• Participate in committees and task forces designed to improve the policies,procedures, and business practices of National University and affiliates.
• Provide oversight and leadership to multipleteams.
• Participate in ongoing department projects, or other special projects, as needed. 
• Reasonable and consistentattendance to fulfill requirements of the position. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

SupervisoryResponsibilities:  

Supervisor duties to include:

• Direct leadership and oversight of up tofive (5) Associate Directors with up to five (5) team leads and up to fifty front line (50) team members.
• Hire, train, and developAssociate Directors.
• Implement and lead individualized development plans for all team members. 
• Direct oversight for allperformance management actions inclusive of direct coaching, performance action delivery, and separation of team members. 
• Supportleaders within the department on preparation, review, and delivery of all required performance action of team members.

Requirements:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required. 
• Master's degreepreferred. 
• Minimum of seven (7) years of federal regulations, Financial Aid, student finance, student operations, or relatedexperience required. 
• Minimum of five (5) years of leadership experience required.
• Experience in higher educationpreferred. 
• Experience working in a technology-driven enterprise preferred. 
• All skills, abilities and education will beconsidered for minimum qualifications. 

Competencies/Technical/Functional Skills:

• Knowledge of availableprivate, state, and federal Financial Aid programs.
• Knowledge of academic and business workings of a higher educationinstitution. 
• Knowledge of University policies and procedures. 
• Knowledge of Financial Aid processes and associated Title IVregulations.
• Knowledge of leadership principles and practices. 
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Skill in positivechange management.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Must be able to consistently display the highest level ofintegrity.
• Ability to resolve conflict and performance manage team members as appropriate. 
• Ability to coach to improvedevelopment and skills.  
• Skill in verbal and written communication. 
• Ability to use and facilitate onlinecommunications. 
• Ability to problem-solve. 
• Ability to understand and interpret the needs of prospectivestudents. 
• Ability to compute and comprehend rates, ratios, and percentages. 
• Ability to effectively present information andrespond to questions from prospective students, University associates, licensing and accrediting agencies and the generalpublic. 
• Ability to collaborate effectively with others. 
• Ability to build and motivate a team. 
• Highly organizedand detailed oriented.
• Must be able to consistently display the highest level of integrity.
• Skill in business acumen andleadership agility.
• Ability to travel to conferences.
• Excellent customer service and communicationskills. 
• Demonstrated ability with enrollment information systems and web-based recruitment. 
• Strong analytical and criticalthinking skills.  
• Proficient with Microsoft Word and other applications in the Microsoft Office Suite.

Location:Remote

Travel: Some Travel Required, as needed

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Candidate receiving offers will be offered asalary/pay rate commensurate with experience that vary based on a candidate's qualifications, skills, and competencies.  Absent exceptionalcircumstances, candidates will be offered a salary within this range for this position. The minimum salary will be offered based on theminimum exemption threshold based on state of residency. Base pay is one component of National University's total rewards package, as we arededicated to supporting the needs of the "whole you" with our holistic approach to employee benefits by offering comprehensive well-beingbenefits for you and your family.  For full details about our benefit plan offerings, please visit benefits.nu.edu. For Part-time benefits, please click here.

Compensation Range:

Annual Salary: $71,360.00 - $96,340.00

National University is committed to maintaining a high-quality,diverse workforce representative of the populations we serve. National University employs more than 5,000 faculty and staff and serves over41,000 students. We are united in our mission to meet the global education demands of the 21st Century and are dedicated to creating asupportive academic and work environment that allows students, faculty and staff to develop their interests and talents while experiencing asense of community and a commitment to diversity. With programs available both online and at our many campus locations, National Universityis a leader in creating innovative solutions to education and meeting the needs of our diverse student population, including adult learnersand working professionals.

National University offers an opportunity to work in an innovative environment that supportsdiversity.

National University (NU) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate against anyemployee or applicant for employee per applicable federal, state and local laws. At NU, a diverse mix of highly talented, innovative andcreative people come together to make the impact of a lifetime for each of our student learners. All qualified applicants will receive equalconsideration for employment, education, and admission at National University. We are focused on equality and believe deeply in diversity ofrace, color, ancestry, age, family care status, veteran status, marital status, creed, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, religion,ethnicity, national origin, and other legally protected group status.