Director of Financial Aid Services

Widener University has established a COVID-19 vaccination policy that requires all faculty and staff who will be on our campuses to be fully vaccinated and compliant as a condition of employment. Our goal is that all members of the Pride may safely experience Widener’s hands on, inclusive, and personalized learning environment in person.
In addition to the above COVID-19 statement, all employees, who do not already have an approved exemption, are also required to receive a booster dose no more than 7 days after you become eligible.
Widener University is currently seeking an experienced and dynamic leader for the role of Director of Financial Aid Services in the Division of Enrollment to provide leadership and oversight of all aspects of Student Financial Aid Services at all campus locations. Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Enrollment, the Director works collaboratively with the division of Enrollment, including the Bursar, Registrar, One-Stop Service Center, Loan Office and Admissions areas, as well as with the Development office and Retention office to help recruit and retain students, and promote a greater understanding of financial aid policies.
The Director of Financial Aid also oversees the services provided to current and prospective students and their families by the financial aid staff and One Stop Service Center staff, including needs analysis, aid offers for undergraduate and graduate, professional student populations, counseling, and exemplary customer service. In addition, the individual is responsible for ensuring the highest level of integrity and compliance for all federal, state and university programs.
Why work at Widener? At Widener University, we strive to deliver a comprehensive benefits package developed to attract and retain talent. We offer employees the opportunity to participate in a variety of benefit program including health & welfare, retirement accounts, tuition programs at Widener University, life insurance, paid time off, and flexible work arrangements for many roles.
Widener University is committed to fostering an environment in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. The Division of Enrollment holds a deep commitment to an inclusive culture that supports the work of faculty and staff members across the institution, and works closely with the Chief Diversity Officer to facilitate that commitment. Faculty and staff are active participants in our work to enhance diversity, equity, & inclusion, including representation on the Faculty Council Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and the Diversity Leadership and Inclusion Council.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to):
Essential duties:
The successful candidate will be an experienced financial aid professional familiar with current trends and challenges in financial aid, who understands the principles of need-based aid and non-need based aid , and who thrives in a fast paced environment
• Directs financial aid office operations at 3 campus locations and develops strategies to manage multiple work streams, ensuring that they are conducted within existing policy, procedural and compliance guidelines; that best practices are followed, and technology and automation are leveraged at every opportunity,
• Communicates regulatory and policy changes to administration, faculty, staff, and students as appropriate.
• Prepares and submits statistical data and required federal, state and university reports on an ongoing basis, assists in fiscal planning, and is responsible for university wide compliance with all financial aid regulations and related consumer information requirements.
• Represents Widener University and the Student Financial Aid Services office at institutional, state, and national committees, forums, and meetings.
• Uses analytics and evidence-based methods to inform policy and process improvement initiatives.
• Communicates and collaborates with University leadership to enhance aid and student employment policy, approaches, and practices.
• Oversees aid policies, including need analysis methods and packaging procedures; internal and external compliance and risk management, including audit requirements; NCAA Division III regulations; and all Title IV federal rules across campus.
• Ensures all aspects of awarding undergraduate and graduate aid are completed accurately and timely
• Stays ahead of and is familiar with current trends and challenges in financial aid
• Works with Undergraduate, Graduate, and Law Admissions on messaging and recruitment strategies to communicate affordability and procedures to apply for aid
• Ensures appropriate professional support including training, professional development, and performance evaluation of staff.
• Manages the office’s operational budget, as well as a $65+ million undergraduate aid budget, law aid budgets, and all university endowed funding.
• Provides support for the two law schools insuring effective communication and collaboration with the Chester Campus
• Works with team to ensure high levels of customer service and the accurate, compliant and timely processing of financial aid
• Understands the principles of need-based aid
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment