Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships, UNLV Financial Aid and Scholarships and Financial Literacy and Wellness [R0137465]

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas invites applications for Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships, UNLV Financial Aid and Scholarships and Financial Literacy and Wellness [R0137465]

ROLE of the POSITION

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is excited to invite appliations for the role of Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships. The Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships (DFAS) is the lead for daily operations and annual coordination for the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (OFAS).  The DFAS is a subject matter expert in the management of federal financial aid programs who develops and directs operations for the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships, provides strategic analysis and procedural support to effectively manage office wide communication, outreach and awarding of prospective and continuing students at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels and with the Associate Directors, leads a team of ~30 full-time employees.

The DFAS oversees strategic operational, client services and communication processes in support of UNLV Top Tier values that encompass a comprehensive commitment to student service and fulfillment of institutional enrollment goals.  The DFAS must carefully deploy departmental resources that deliver optimal service and support throughout the campus community, including, but not limited to: current and future students and their families, UNLV faculty and staff, and the regional community of Southern Nevada as needed.  In addition to overseeing the actual procedural deployment of financial aid resources, the DFAS will partner with leadership to development outreach activities that describe and demystify the financial aid process, federal requirements.

The DFAS consults with the Executive Director for Financial Aid & Scholarships (EDFAS) and the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management (AVPEM) on a regular basis, but consultation will be necessary with staff from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and peer colleagues within the Academic Affairs leadership team, the Provost's Office, the Office of Information Technology (OIT/DST) and finally, faculty and staff from across the university.  Further, this position collaborates with colleagues within the UNLV School of Medicine, UNLV School of Dental Medicine, the UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law, the Graduate College, the Office of Human Resources, the UNLV Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, and the Athletics Department to ensure timely, accurate, and federally compliant financial aid procedures are provided across the organization.

This DFAS is current and clear on best-practice initiatives that emerge across the national landscape for financial aid-related services and strives to exceed every expectation to provide the highest-caliber of service to UNLV students.  This position is always searching for better, more efficient ways to deliver financial aid information to students and should always press that any situational improvement be considered.

This leadership position understands the importance of empowering and developing team members to create a high functioning team that is built to handle the volume consistent with the demographics and situational complexities that occur at UNLV with a student service-first mentality that is compassionate, thorough, and timely.  The DFAS is experienced in shaping an office culture of trust, responsive communication, and inspires internal advancement and retention of institutional knowledge while reinforcing the highest expectations for student service and individual professionalism.  The DFAS actively develops a team-centered, student-first commitment to service that prioritizes timely and accurate responses through the use of strategic, technological innovation and a modernization of the traditional financial aid experience that is developed through active collaboration with the other ESS leadership team members to maximize the impact on university enrollment behaviors.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

This position requires a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university as recognized by the United States Department of Education and/or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and 7-9 years professional experience, 5-7 years supervisory experience, and 3-5 years management experience.

Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in administration of higher education federal student aid and financial assistance. Experience engineering and operating effective and cohesive customer service-minded operations teams.

Minimum 5 years experience in comprehensive financial aid administration and staff supervision, with emphasis on Title IV compliance in program fund awarding, verification, disbursement, accounting and reconciliation, and including development and implementation of compliance-driven policy, procedures, awarding, reporting and auditing.

Minimum 3 years management experience

Degree must be from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

Employee must not be in overpayment or default status for any Federal Student Aid program or award. 

Credentials must be obtained prior to the start date.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

A Master's Degree is preferred. Preferred experience that includes leadership of financial aid operations for a large institution with designations such as R-1, MSI and/or HSI, a diverse student body, and institutional complexity, such as extensive graduate programs and professional schools of medicine, dental or law. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Demonstrated experience with managing a complex financial aid organization in higher education that includes NCAA Division I athletics. Preferred experience with professional schools, graduate programs, and state-sponsored scholarship programs.

Evidenced strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills. Familiarity working with admissions and recruitment services to deliver financial aid-related information to prospective students in a timely fashion that helps to increase the probability of future enrollment.

Demonstrated history of superlative attention to detail to lead a successful team of financial aid professionals to promote an environment that prioritizes a commitment to strategic enrollment management. 

Demonstrated committed to accuracy and timeliness to maximize service to students, cleared audit results, and eliminated federal compliance concerns.

Demonstrated expertise in federal, state and institutional financial aid regulations and familiarity with national best-practices within a higher education setting.

Demonstrated analytical ability to develop and interpret statistical data for problem-solving and forecasting.  Database management and technology skills and ERP class student information system (preferably PeopleSoft) are essential.

Demonstrated knowledge of governmental regulations/issues, proficiency within accounting and internal control procedures.

Demonstrated the ability to successfully plan, organize, and direct the work of staff; perform accurate mathematical calculations, work independently and meet work and project deadlines, train others in the use of financial aid management and program requirements, organize and complete work in a timely manner, perform work requiring accuracy and attention to detail, work harmoniously and effectively with students, parents, university personnel, and the general public, and embrace, lead organizational change and improvements necessary to adapt and prosper in a rapidly changing, cost conscious, highly accountable environment.

Demonstrated history of implementing technological solutions and innovative approaches to improve financial aid operational outcomes

COMMITMENT to DIVERSITY

The successful candidate will demonstrate support for diversity, equity and inclusiveness as well as participate in maintaining a respectful, positive work environment.

SALARY RANGE

Salary competitive with those at similarly situated institutions.

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT UNLV

• Generous compensation packages, up to 48 days of paid time off, sick leave, and holidays
• Excellent health insurance including medical, dental and vision
• No state income tax
• Comprehensive retirement plans and voluntary benefits programs
• Tuition discounts at Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) schools
• Tuition discounts for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents

PERKS

• Flexible work schedule (depending on your department)
• Employee recognition and appreciation programs
• Personal and professional development opportunities
• UNLV athletics ticket discounts
• Statewide employee purchase program discounts
• RebelCard discounts on and off campus
• Wellness programming for all UNLV faculty and staff at no cost
• Opportunity for career advancements to leadership roles

HOW TO APPLY

Submit a letter of interest, a detailed resume listing qualifications and experience, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references who may be contacted. References will not be contacted until the search chair notifies you in advance.

Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience, with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications because this is the information on which the initial review of materials will be based.

Although this position will remain open until filled, review of candidates' materials will begin on immediately.

Materials should be addressed to, Search Committee Chair, and must be submitted through Workday, as we do not accept emailed materials. For assistance with the application process, please contact UNLV Human Resources at (702) 895-3504 or [email protected] .

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR INTERNAL NSHE CANDIDATES

UNLV employees or employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) MUST use the "Find Jobs" process within Workday to find and apply for jobs at UNLV and other NSHE Institutions. Once you log into Workday, type "Find Jobs" in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site. Locate this specific job posting by typing the job requisition number, "R0137465" in the search box.

If you complete an application outside of the internal application process, your application will be returned and you will have to reapply as an internal applicant which may delay your application.

PROFILE of the UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1957, UNLV is a doctoral-degree-granting institution of approximately 30,000 students and more than 3,600 faculty and staff. To date, UNLV has conferred more than 152,000 degrees, producing more than 130,000 alumni around the world. UNLV is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as an R1 research university with very high research activity. The university is committed to recruiting and retaining top students and faculty, educating the region's diversifying population and workforce, driving economic activity through increased research and community partnerships, and creating an academic health center for Southern Nevada that includes the launch of a new UNLV School of Medicine. UNLV is located on a 332-acre main campus and two satellite campuses in Southern Nevada.

Here at UNLV, we have come together and created one of the most affirmative and dynamic academic environments in the country. UNLV sits in the top spot in U.S. News & World Report's annual listing of the nation's most diverse universities for undergraduates. The university has ranked in the top ten since the rankings debuted more than a decade ago. We continue to show our commitment to serving our wonderfully diverse population and building the future for Las Vegas and Nevada.

For more information, visit us on line at: http://www.unlv.edu

EEO/AA STATEMENT

The University of Nevada - Las Vegas (UNLV) is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person's age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes). Discrimination on the basis of a protected class, including unlawful harassment, which is a form of discrimination, is illegal under federal and state law. Where unlawful discrimination is found to have occurred, UNLV will act to stop the unlawful discrimination, to prevent its recurrence, to remedy its effects, and to discipline those responsible.

TITLE IX STATEMENT

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that it operates. Non-discrimination on the basis of sex is mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.) and the corresponding implementation regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106). The University's commitment to nondiscrimination in its education programs and activities extends to applicants for admission and employment. Inquiries concerning the application of these provisions may be referred to: Michelle Sposito, J.D., Title IX Coordinator, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Box 451062, Las Vegas, NV 89154-1062, Frank and Estella Beam Hall (BEH) Room 553, Telephone: (702) 895-4055; Email: [email protected] , or to The Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Education, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-1100; Telephone: 1-800-421-3481 FAX: 202-453-6012; TDD: 1-800-877-8339; Email: [email protected] ; or to both. 

Information pertaining to the University's grievance procedures and grievance process, including how to report or file a complaint of sex discrimination, how to report or file a formal complaint of sexual harassment, and how the University will respond can be found online at the Office of Equal Employment & Title IX webpage.

SAFETY AND SECURITY STATEMENT

UNLV is committed to assisting all members of the UNLV community in providing for their own safety and security. The Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report compliance document is available online.

JOB CATEOGRY

Administrative Faculty

Required Attachment(s)

Submit a letter of interest, a detailed resume listing qualifications and experience, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references.

UNLV is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action educator and employer committed to achieving excellence through diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, age, creed, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or any other factor protected by anti-discrimination laws. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas employs only United States citizens and non-citizens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. Women, under-represented groups, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.