Executive Director, Student Financial Services

Job Description Summary

The Executive Director of Student Financial Services is a new position, in charge of providing leadership to the areas that assist students in understanding the options to finance their education, including Financial Assistance, Student Accounts, and Student Employment. Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Enrollment/Dean of Undergraduate Admission, the Executive Director will manage an office of fifteen professional staff and four support staff with direct supervision of the Director of Student Accounts and the Director of Financial Assistance.
Working in a highly collaborative environment, the Executive Director will lead the development and implementation of strategic initiatives related to student financial services, working closely with colleagues in the Enrollment Management division, the Finance division as well as across the university to create partnerships that streamline administrative processes, improve the student experience, and facilitate student success.
The division of Enrollment Management values a flexible work environment through a combination of in-person and virtual work opportunities.

Essential Duties

• Actively lead the integration of the Financial Assistance and Student Accounts teams into a consolidated “one-stop” Student Financial Services unit.
• Develop, implement and maintain policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations, policies and procedures related to financial aid and student accounts.
• Create a service organization that embraces the goal of ensuring that every student knows the opportunities available to finance their education.
• Ensure the delivery of exceptional customer service to all students and customers. Provide timely and professional responses to all inquiries and the processing of all tuition and tuition-related charges, receivables, financial aid posting, loan processing and collection of past due amounts through close collaboration with the Controller’s Office.
• Continuously explore new modes of communications and technology options to enhance internal processes and customer service, including virtual options.
• Organize staff and fiscal resources in support of priorities and workload demands including hiring, training, and assignment of responsibilities.
• Provide a high degree of customized outreach and efficient delivery of financial aid to meet enrollment goals through close collaboration with the offices of Undergraduate Admission and Graduate Admission.
• Continuously foster an environment supportive of integrated services, mentoring, training, developing, and retaining staff to ensure individual and team effectiveness and efficiency in all operations.
• Communicate effectively with students through the university website, social media, online chats and chatbots, email and mail correspondence, campus-wide outreach, etc.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 10 years of progressive enrollment-related experience in higher education institutions, including experience with financial aid and student accounts.
• Demonstrated ability to provide significant leadership in managing relationships with a variety of partners around campus.
• Relevant experience with the development and use of data and analytics, and an in-depth knowledge of current policies, enrollment trends, technology, and strategic higher education practices to make informed decisions.
• Evidence of working effectively as a team member with an emphasis on student-centered educational philosophy.
• Evidence of successful supervisory experience including leading staff recruitment, training and development, and management.
• Experience using Workday and/or PowerFaids preferred, but not required.

Work Environment

• Typical office setting with extensive sitting and computer work.
• Ability to travel around campus for meetings and work related events.

Bentley University requires references checks and may conduct other pre-employment screening.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Bentley University strives to create a campus community that welcomes the exchange of ideas, and fosters a culture that values differences and views them as a strength in our community.

Bentley University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, building strength through diversity. The University is committed to building a community of talented students, faculty and staff who reflect the diversity of global business. We strongly encourage applications from persons from underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, covered veterans and those with diverse experiences and backgrounds.