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Director of Financial Aid - 000281
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Position Number: 5802624
Location: Cullowhee, NC
Position Type: Financial Aid

Director of Financial Aid - 000281

Western Carolina University

Department: Student Financial Aid

About WCU: Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including: 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries. 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries. 2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary: The primary location of this position is the Cullowhee, NC campus.

Western Carolina University, a constituent member of the University of North Carolina system, seeks an experienced financial aid professional to serve as the Director of Financial Aid. The office administers over $95,000,000 of aid annually and has a student enrollment exceeding 11,000 students. The Office of Financial Aid is housed in the Division of Student Affairs and reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Enrollment.

The Director of Financial Aid provides leadership and effective management of 11 full-time staff members as well as part-time and student workers. The Director serves as a key member of the Undergraduate Enrollment team (Undergraduate Enrollment includes the Offices of Financial Aid, New Student Orientation, Undergraduate Admission, and University Scholarships) and works closely with the numerous campus partners and units (e.g., university registrar, director of admissions, bursar, dean of students, etc.).

The Director is responsible for the establishment and implementation of institutional policies and procedures to comply with Federal Title IV regulation and to oversee the administration of federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs. The Director of Financial Aid is a department head and supervises financial aid personnel with a strong commitment to client service and a collaborative approach to problem solving.

The position is responsible for all aspects of processing undergraduate and graduate aid and must collaborate with other campus units to provide appropriate services to both currently enrolled students and prospective students. The Director serves as needed on other university committees or initiatives (e.g., Enrollment Strategies Committee, Strategic Planning, Academic Appeals Board). Ensuring regulatory compliance is a key function of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:

Minimum Qualifications: Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employment sponsorship or any immigration-related assistance. Masters degree and a minimum of ten years of progressive experience and increasing responsibilities specifically in higher education financial aid.

Preferred Qualifications: Extensive knowledge of public and private aid programs, regulations, and compliance standards as evidenced by direct experience managing or auditing these programs. Current expertise in financial aid policies, philosophies, and procedures, demonstrated by recent professional development, certifications, or active involvement in financial aid associations (e.g., NASFAA). Proven organizational, supervisory, and management skills with documented experience leading teams in a financial aid office or similar environment, including managing budgets, timelines, and reporting requirements. Strong attention to workflow, communication flow, timeliness, accuracy, and detail orientation, shown through consistent documentation, reporting accuracy, and successful audit results. Effective communication skills for diverse audiences (staff, students, parents, counselors, administrators, other stakeholders), as demonstrated by prior roles that involved regular presentations, report writing, and cross-functional collaboration. Significant experience with automated financial aid systems, including the U.S. Department of Educations electronic systems and database systems such as Banner, including tasks like data management, tracking, reporting, and assessment. Demonstrated familiarity with university system navigation and collaboration, specifically in roles within university consortia, shared governance structures, or inter-departmental committees. Evidence of collaboration and partnership skills, as demonstrated by previous work across departments, committees, or in collaborative student success initiatives.

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants: To be considered, you must apply online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.Please include a cover letter, resume, and a listing of at least three professional references with their complete contact information.For questions or additional information, please contact Kelly Tornow at ktornow@email.wcu.edu

AA/EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; religion; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Additionally, the University promotes the realization of equal employment opportunity for minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its affirmative action program. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/29369