Director, ESM Financial Aid

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

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The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Responsibilities:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Leadership:

• Leads the FAO in building a cohesive unit across the division of Eastman and the University as a whole.
• Serves as a resource for Staff members in the FAO, Admissions, Registrars, Finance, Advancement and other Eastman and University departments. Participate as a member of the Eastman Administrative Leaders Group. Meet regularly withEastman’s Senior Associate Dean and Director of Admissions  to discuss financial aid strategies, appeals, and at risk students, as well as the Associate Vice Provost of Enrollment/University Director of Financial Aid and the Financial Aid Leadership Team.
• Oversees and supports department and staff in achieving goals
• Facilitates continuous improvement, proactive communication, collaboration and quality customer service with stakeholders to meet Organizations’ goals and resolve issues and concerns.
• Supervises staff including hiring, conducting performance reviews lead weekly meetings and training to ensure the development of the staff member.
• Represents the University at professional, regional and national meetings and conferences and through correspondence with and presentation to outside individuals and groups
• Maintains knowledge in the field of financial aid and incorporating this knowledge into practice.

Operations:

• Oversees operations and communications, ensuring the development and execution of efficient processing of all office functions. Develops training activities focused on building a strong organization that motivates and develops staff members to help retain staff, recognize contributions and build trust and commitment.
• Assists administration in evaluating and establishing financial aid strategies designed to meet Eastman School of Music’s enrollment goals.
• Ensures all federal, institutional and state reporting is accomplished accurately and timely (FISAP, NYSED, Data Warehouse, IPEDS etc..)
• Implements the University and federal government requirements for the dissemination of information about financial aid (consumer information) to ensure that requirements are met.
• Establishes policies, procedures and guidelines regarding the effective and equitable distribution of financial aid among eligible applicants. 
• Implements and enforces all federal, state and institutional financial aid requirements to ensure all are administered properly and follow applicable rules, regulations and laws.
• Documents all office policies and procedures to ensure regulatory compliance as well as establishing good resources for staff and a successful succession plan for future employees.
• Manages the annual application and financial aid notification process as well as the updating of all FAO forms, publications and web content to ensure accurate and informative recruitment of each class and the highest retention rates possible.
• Collaborates with Admissions and Faculty to assist in the recruitment of top musically talented and academically gifted students by reviewing every admitted students financial records and assisting with the determination of an appropriate award offer.
• Leads effort to utilize new and existing technology to continuously evaluate and implement practices that automate office functionality and ensure secure and accurate awarding processes.

Program Oversight:

• Responsible for the fiscal management and accountability of all federal, state and institutional funds. Oversees the spending of graduate institutional funding which is managed by the Graduate Studies Office.
• Responsible for budgeting, fiscal management, reporting, accountability and distribution of institutional, federal and state programs of financial assistance. Ensures timely disbursement and reconciliation of all funds; federal, state and institutional
• Collaborates with the Registrar and Academic Affairs office to ensure effective coordination of policies and procedures related to the administration of academic standing and change of status.
• Serves as part of the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) committee and as well as managing the SAP appeal process and changes in aid associated with the outcomes.
• Oversees all financial aid appeals, change of status, LOA’s, withdrawals and reinstated students.
• Verifies the accuracy and reliability of data processing procedures for storage, retrieval and reporting of data required for fund management. 
• Represents institution during regularly conducted audits.
• Monitors and maintains the University's compliance with constantly changing federal and state regulations on student aid programs. 
• Reviews with regularity, new financing options and aid programs and new approaches to distributing institutional funds.  Follows current research on the impact of aid on student's enrollment decisions, academic work and life after college

Counseling:

• Participates in meeting the guidance and informational needs of student and families through individual counseling, written correspondence, question and answers for audition days and orientation programs.
• Provides guidance to faculty regarding questions and concerns they have about the students that they are trying to recruit while remaining in compliance with all FERPA laws.
• Consults with prospective and returning students and families as well as graduate students regarding financial aid options, application processing and other issues related to education finances.
• Engages in pro-active efforts to assist students in the completion of their applications and the financing of their education.
• Responds to inquiries with accurate information and high quality of customer service. 
• Serve as a resource and as a role model of exceptional customer service behavior.  Fulfills the function of arbiter in exceptional cases.

Application Processing:

• Maintains knowledge of diverse federal, state and institutional financial aid programs, federal and institutional need analysis methodologies, all grant/scholarship, loan and work programs administered by the Eastman School of music along with a broad awareness of unique programs at The College.
• Reviews and evaluate financial aid academic records when a question arises as to the amount of continued support that should be provided.
• Manages all appeals for prospective and returning students while adhering to fiscally responsible goals.
• Reviews Slate interface data points and processing to ensure quality and professional admitted student interactions and award notices.

Outreach:

• Oversees all necessary system activities within the portal software systems (College Board’s NetPartner and Net Price Calculator) to ensure accurate and effective utilization of the portal system.
• Maintains all changes to the Net Price Calculator
• Identifies opportunities for improved utilization of student and parent portal systems including effective strategies to communicate its effectiveness to all students (Undergrad and Graduate)
• Ensures that student and parent portals (FAOnline) allow students 24 hour access to the essential components of their financial aid information.

General Responsibilities:

• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree and 5 years of relevant experience required
• Master's degree preferred
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Progressive financial aid experience preferred
• At least 7+ years of related experience preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong analytical, organizational, and leadership skills required
• Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities required
• Commitment to customer service and student advocacy required
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal need analysis and federal and state financial aid regulations and their impact on institutional policy decisions required.
• Demonstrated skills in supervision preferred.
• Experience managing federal, state and institutional financial aid programs is critical preferred.
• PowerFAIDS experience or proven ability to learn preferred.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• NASFAA credentials preferred.

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.