The Opportunity

Lesley University is seeking an Associate Director of Financial Aid Operations. Under the leadership of the Director of Financial Aid, the Associate Director of Financial Aid Operations is responsible for the backend operations and reporting of the financial aid file review and awarding process, from the FAFSA application through awarding, and subsequent compliance events such as SAP, R2T4s and transfer monitoring, including all communication flows.

The Associate Director manages, trains, and mentors a team of two members. They are responsible for the annual Colleague system set up for all financial aid, related modules, and ongoing updates. They will work closely with IT to ensure proper testing and execution. As part of the system set up, the Associate Director of Operations will ensure accurate awarding for all cohorts and oversee the processing of loan applications utilizing ELM Select. The Associate Director is responsible for maintaining all FA Operations policies and procedures. Additionally, they will oversee the reporting of SAP, the processing return of Title IV funds, the Pell Grant program, Direct Loan processing, Alternative Loan processing, disbursements, and reconciliation of all funds.

The Associate Director is responsible for maintaining an in-depth knowledge of compliance regulations of the awarding, disbursement, and reconciliation of federal aid processing. They must be familiar with university and office policies as they relate to the overall recruitment and retention efforts of Lesley University.

Qualities & Capabilities:

A successful candidate will have:

• Bachelor's degree (required)

• 5+ years of experience in higher education, focused on financial aid

• Prior experience and understanding of financial aid systems; Experience with Colleague (preferred)

• Proven success with leading, mentoring, and motivating a team

• Strong customer service skills with the ability to handle sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy

• Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

• Candidates must not be in default on any federal student loan or federal parent loan

Why Lesley

Located in the heart of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Lesley University is highly regarded for its graduate and undergraduate programs in the human arts of education, the arts, and applied social sciences. Lesley fosters a highly creative environment in which innovative ideas thrive, theory is integrated with practice and its 6,400 students and 90,000 alumni are empowered to improve and enrich communities.

We offer a competitive benefits package that includes health, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance. In addition, we offer significant paid time off, a generous retirement plan, and tuition programs that enable employees and their dependents to expand their knowledge and skills.

Lesley is committed to the ongoing pursuit of strategic diversity initiatives that help to position diversity, equity, and inclusion as fundamental to institutional and academic excellence at Lesley. In doing so, Lesley strives for a campus culture and community that fosters a true sense of belonging for all, provides opportunity for everyone to participate equally and fully in the Lesley experience, and helps to develop each individual's capacity to confidently and competently engage within and across difference. Given an evolving national context and the rapid change in the demographic profile of our country, the University has made a significant commitment to addressing and enhancing its campus climate and diversity capabilities as an institution.

Expressing Interest

A letter of interest, CV/resume, and a statement addressing past and/or potential contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion through teaching, professional activity, and/or service must be included for full consideration.

At Lesley University we strive for a supportive and equitable environment where people -- regardless of race, physical ability, age, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other protected personal identities -- can participate equally and fully as their true selves in all aspects of university life. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the fabric of our institution.

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