Assistant Vice President, Financial Aid

Job Summary

The Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Financial Aid serves as the university leader for all student financial services related to financial aid, scholarships, and financial literacy. This office promotes and facilitates the student's educational pursuit through strong service related to financial aid for the university's students and their families. The AVP provides leadership and oversight for all areas of financial aid administration and compliance by working collaboratively to achieve departmental and institutional goals. This position reports to the Vice President of Enrollment Management (VPEM).

This is a Hybrid position working in person most days a week.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for the overall oversight of the quality and integrity of student financial aid including but not limited to the Office of Financial Aid and developing the institution's financial literacy program
• In partnership with the VPEM, establish a strategic plan for student financial success regarding the effective and efficient distribution of financial aid among eligible applicants and enrolled students, focusing on meeting the institution's enrollment and budgetary goals
• Review data to determine program effectiveness, inform strategic planning and tactical updates to annual planning, and to create, distribute and present reports
• Monitor, interpret, and provide timely updates regarding federal and state student financial aid regulations.
• Analyze the impact of those regulations on prospective and enrolled students, institutional policies/procedures and budgets, and advise the administration of regulatory mandates/obligations and their impact
• Ensure institutional compliance with federal and state regulations, budgeting, fiscal management, reporting, accountability, and distribution of a variety of institutional, federal, and state programs of financial assistance
• Develop, implement, and support a financial literacy program that empowers students and families to confidently make well-informed choices about a wide range of financial decisions
• Research a variety of complex data/information, including but limited to student database information, federal and state policies, and University and market trends to prepare reports for regulatory bodies and provide recommendations to University administration
• Work collaboratively with Admissions, Bursar's Office, University Registrar, Enrollment Analytics, Institutional Research, Assessment, Information Technology and Academic Information and Systems to discuss and establish priorities, expectations, departmental goals to enhance capability to serve institutional and student needs, consistent with University goals
• Initiate efforts to evaluate and develop new initiatives to improve the University's affordability including recommendations of tuition and fees

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree or the equivalent combination of education and work experience. (Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.)
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible leadership in student financial aid/financial services within higher education.
• Experience managing a team of professional staff.
• Experience anticipating, identifying, and resolving financial aid compliance issues.
• Demonstrated successful experience managing a student financial aid function and developing, evaluating, and improving financial aid awarding from a data-driven perspective.
• Knowledge of best practices in the efficient use of resources.
• Demonstrated knowledge of all aspects of federal student financial aid processes and federal and state regulations, including Title IV and veteran benefits.
• Proven technical skills in data management, data processing concepts, and computerized systems related to student financial aid as well as proficiency with statistical software.
• Ability to analyze and interpret federal and state regulations, professional and technical journals, financial reports and legal documents.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with prospective and current students and other stakeholders.
• Strong and dynamic interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent relationship management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree.
• Experience with or active involvement in NAFSA, NACUBO, College Board, or related professional organizations.

Physical Demands

• Typically sitting at a desk/table
• Typically standing, walking

Location

• University City - Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information
This position is classified as Exempt, grade P. Compensation for this grade ranges from $129,850 - $194,770 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel's compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel's Benefits Brochure.

Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.