JOB SUMMARY:

As a senior member of the Enrollment leadership team, the Senior Director for Student Financial Services is responsible for the oversight and administration of all institutional billing as well as external Financial Aid funding for The Cooper Union’s undergraduate and graduate students. The Senior Director manages the daily operations of the Student Financial Services team and is responsible for providing timely and accurate reporting to the Offices of Institutional Research, Finance, and the Executive Leadership team. The Senior Director ensures compliance with all federal and state regulations; the proper handling of all students’ financial records; and the management of timely disbursement, reconciliation, and cash flows of all aid.  The Senior Director is responsible for updating and ensuring institutional policies, as well as developing a comprehensive financial aid model in line with the goals and mission of The Cooper Union. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Oversee the strategic planning and operations of the Student Financial Services Department as an additional tool for recruiting and retaining students at The Cooper Union.
• Lead the development and implementation of policies and procedures for student billing, payments, refunds, and collections.
• Identify and implement processes that will streamline the Student Financial Services workflow and provide superior customer service to students and families.
• Ensure operations comply with institutional policies and federal regulations related to student accounts and billing.
• Ensure clean audits for both Financial Aid and students’ accounts.
• Coordinate system setups and updates for efficient disbursement, billing, and financial record-keeping.
• Oversee management of students’ accounts, ensuring timely and accurate billing and collection processes.
• Serve as the senior liaison with other institutional departments, external agencies, and service providers related to student financial services.
• Oversight of the Federal Verification process and procedures, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), Return of Title IV funds, and NYS TAP, ETA, and WTC Certification process.
• Overall management of institutional merit, opportunity, and need-based aid programs.
• Oversee the disbursement/transmittal of all funds to COD, Student Accounts, ELMOne, HESC, and VAOnce.
• Participate in regular training and professional associations to keep informed regarding new information from the federal and state governments (i.e., the Department of Education and New York State) to properly manage and implement the required changes in a collaborative and student-focused manner.
• Strong knowledge of Federal and New York State Financial Aid policies, team management, and best practices.
• Willingness to learn new skills; ability to become an expert with Ellucian Colleague (student information system), slate (CRM) and Business Objects (reporting tool) as well as any related, updated software.
• Perform all other duties as required

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Create a strategic plan for developing financial aid resources as an additional tool for recruiting and retaining students at The Cooper Union.
• Identify and implement processes that will streamline the student financial services workflow and provide superior customer service to students and their families.
• Develop a comprehensive communication strategy for incoming, current, and returning student populations, including a financial literacy program for current and graduating students.
• Ensure accurate current information is available through brochures, literature, workshops, websites, Self-Service, and social media for students and parents.
• Develop a robust email and social media campaign to keep students aware of upcoming deadlines, including presenting at schools, and running FAFSA workshops, and fairs.
• Submit various required Federal, State, and Institutional Reports including FISAP, Common Data Set, NYSED, IPEDS, and others as required.

SKILLS/REQUIREMENTS:

• Seven plus years of experience in a leadership role in student financial services
• Excellent communication, organization, and presentation skills.
• Ability to multi-task and be detail oriented.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and associated software products.
• Occasional evening and weekend work as required.
• Ability to work on campus 3-4 days each week.

EDUCATION:

Bachelors Degree required, Advanced Degree preferred

Salary $130,000.00 to $140,000.00