Director, Financial Aid and Awards

Csod; Oshawa; On-site; CAD 114,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

Durham College seeks a Director, Financial Aid and Awards to lead the FAA Office and align其 initiatives with student access, affordability, and success. The role ensures administration of OSAP, federal/provincial aid, scholarships, bursaries and work-study while safeguarding funds and compliance.

Reporting to senior leadership, the Director will manage a team, drive service excellence, manage budgets, and collaborate across divisions to enhance student outcomes and equity in access to resources.

Qualifications

• 4-year undergraduate degree in Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, Accounting, Higher Education Administration, or related field; master’s degree is an asset.
• 5+ years supervisory/managerial experience in a unionized environment.
• 7+ years delivering Financial Aid and Awards services in a post-secondary environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and oversight for FAA Office aligned with Student Affairs and enrolment goals.
• Lead and develop FAA staff; ensure service excellence and policy compliance.
• Oversee OSAP, government funding, scholarships, bursaries, and donor-funded awards.
• Ensure financial aid programs comply with legislation, audits, and institutional policies.
• Partner with internal and external teams to support student access, affordability, and success.
• Monitor performance using KPIs and implement continuous improvement in service delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Education

Bachelors in Business/Finance/Higher Education Administration or related field

Job description

Director, Financial Aid and Awards
COMPETITION NO. AD26-28
Band 12: $113,514 - $141,982

AboutDurham College: Durham College (DC) is a leading post-secondary institution thatsupports students to develop career-ready skills for the ever-changing jobmarket. With a focus on experiential learning, led by expert faculty, throughfield placements, applied research, co-ops and other hands-on opportunities, DCgrads are known for having the skills and knowledge they need to adapt to theever-changing workforce.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Durham College offers awide range of market-driven programs across multiple disciplines, includingculinary management, farming and horticulture, business, IT, construction andtrades, science and technology, health care, engineering, social and communityservices, media, art and design.

Our modern campuses in Oshawa and Whitby offer145 programs – including six bachelor’s degrees and 11apprenticeship programs – tomore than 11,000 full-time post-secondary and nearly3,000 apprenticeship students. In addition, we have more than 16,000 studentregistrations in professional and part-time learning. More than 120,000 alumnirepresent the college, both locally and around the world.

DC hasan estimated annual economic impact of more than $913 million on Durham Regionand is proud to be an active and engaged member of the communities we serve bycontributing resources and expertise to enhance social and economic well-beingthrough partnerships, investments and collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Reporting to theDean, Students, the Director, Financial Aid and Awards provides strategic andoperational leadership for the planning, delivery, administration, andcontinuous improvement of institutional and government-funded financialassistance programs that support student access, affordability, retention,persistence, and success.
The Director isresponsible for the effective administration of a comprehensive portfolio offinancial aid and student funding programs, including the Ontario StudentAssistance Program (OSAP), federal and provincial financial assistanceprograms, scholarships, bursaries, awards, work-study opportunities, emergencyfinancial supports, and other targeted funding initiatives. The role ensuresthe responsible stewardship of public and institutional funds, compliance withgovernment legislation, Ministry directives, audit requirements, andinstitutional policies and procedures.
As a strategicleader within Student Affairs, the Director collaborates with internal andexternal partners to advance student access, affordability, and successinitiatives. The Director supports institutional priorities related toenrolment management, student recruitment and retention, equity, inclusion, andstudent experience by identifying emerging student financial needs, assessingprogram effectiveness, and developing responsive services that support diverselearners and students experiencing financial barriers. The role usesdata-informed decision-making, assessment practices, and continuous improvementstrategies to enhance service delivery and ensure programs effectively meet theevolving needs of diverse learners.
The Director leadsa team of financial aid professionals and provides strategic direction,coaching, and mentorship to foster a culture of service excellence,accountability, collaboration, and professional growth. The Director ensureseffective human resource management practices in alignment with Collegepolicies, applicable collective agreements, employment legislation, andorganizational values.

Strategic Leadersip and Operations Management

• Provides strategic direction and operational oversight for the Financial Aid and Awards (FAA) Office, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, Student Affairs goals, enrolment strategies, and student success initiatives.
  
• Develops, prepares, and manages the annual departmental budget for the FAA, ensuring effective stewardship of financial resources
  
• Develops, implements, evaluates, and continuously improves operational plans, policies, procedures, and service delivery models to enhance student experience, accessibility, efficiency, and effectiveness.
  
• Leads the assessment and redesign of processes to improve responsiveness, reduce administrative barriers, and support timely access to financial resources.
  
• Identifies emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities related to student affordability and financial barriers and recommends strategies to address evolving student needs.
  
• Represents FAA on institutional committees and working groups related to student access, enrolment management, policy development, technology improvements, and student success.
  
• Maintains internal controls to ensure accurate administration of student financial assistance, safeguard the integrity of public funds, and support the College’s continued eligibility to participate in provincial and federal student financial aid programs.
  
• Oversees the administration of the College's scholarships, bursaries, awards, and donor-funded financial assistance programs, liaising with the Advancement Office and other institutional partners to ensure the effective delivery of donor-funded awards.

People Leadership and Team Development

• Recruits, leads, coaches, develops, and evaluates department staff, fostering a high-performing, collaborative, and service-focused team culture.
  
• Provides direction to the Manager and establishes performance expectations for staff, service standards and performance outcomes
  
• Supports ongoing professional growth through coaching, mentoring, training, and succession planning.
  
• Leads organizational and operational change initiatives, communicating priorities effectively and engaging staff in continuous improvement and service innovation.
  
• Plans, assigns, and monitors staff workloads, resources, and service delivery to ensure operational effectiveness, compliance with collective agreements, and achievement of departmental service standards.
  
• Creates an inclusive, respectful, and psychologically safe work environment that promotes employee engagement, well-being, equity, and excellence in student service.
  
• Provides leadership and expert guidance to staff in the interpretation and application of complex federal and provincial financial aid legislation, Ministry directives, institutional policies, and awards administration practices.
  
• Monitors departmental performance using service metrics and keyperformance indicators, identifying opportunities to enhance service quality,operational efficiency, compliance, and the student experience.

Financial Aid Administration and Compliance

• Provides oversight for the administration of federal and provincial financial assistance programs, including OSAP and related Ministry-funded initiatives, ensuring compliance with applicable legislation, Ministry guidelines, policies, and audit requirements.
  
• Ensures accurate interpretation and implementation of complex government regulations, directives, and policy changes affecting student financial assistance.
  
• Establishes effective internal controls, quality assurance practices, and operational processes to maintain accuracy, integrity, and accountability in the administration of student financial aid.
  
• Oversees institutional reporting requirements, including Ministry accountability reports, funding reconciliations, audits, and compliance documentation.
  
• Monitors, evaluates and enhances financial aid programs and practices, providing informed feedback to government and sector partners to support continuous improvement to Provincial and Federal Financial Aid programs.
  
• Serves as the senior escalation point for complex student financial aid matters requiring interpretation of federal, provincial, and institutional policies or the exercise of discretion. Provides guidance and direction on complex cases and liaises with financial institutions, government ministries and agencies, and community or social service organizations, as appropriate, to support the resolution of individual student financial aid matters while ensuring compliance with legislative, regulatory, and institutional requirements.
  
• Leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of institutional student loan default prevention and repayment awareness strategies to support student success and maintain compliance with provincial and federal performance expectations.
  
• Maintains collaborative relationships with the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) and financial institutions to resolve complex student loan eligibility, funding, and loan processing issues, including the escalation of cases requiring specialized review.

Student Access, Equity and Success

• Advances initiatives that reduce financial barriers and support equitable access to post-secondary education.
  
• Collaborates with Student Affairs, Enrolment Services, Advancement, Accounts Receivable, Information Technology, academic areas, recruitment teams, and external partners to strengthen pathways, supports, and resources for students experiencing financial challenges.
  
• Supports institutional priorities related to access, retention, persistence, and completion through responsive financial aid programming.
  
• Ensures services are delivered in a manner that is student-focused, inclusive, transparent, and consistent with institutional values.

Data, Technology and Financial Management

• Oversees the integrity, accuracy, security, and confidentiality of student financial aid records and related information.
  
• Uses data analysis and reporting to evaluate program effectiveness, identify trends, inform decision-making, and support institutional planning.
  
• Ensures appropriate systems, processes, and technologies are implemented to support efficient financial aid administration and enhanced student service.
  
• Oversees Ministry reporting and accountability requirements for OSAP Supplemental Bursary and Tuition Set Aside Programs with a combined value exceeding $5 million annually.
  
• Ensures effective financial controls, budget reconciliation, and compliance with institutional, Ministry, audit, and inspection requirements through collaboration with Finance and related departments.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of a 4-year undergraduate degree in Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, Accounting, Higher Education Administration, or a related field. A master’s degree is an asset.
  
• A minimum of five (5) years of supervisory and managerial experience in a unionized environment.
  
• A minimum of seven (7) years delivering Financial Aid and Awards services in a post-secondary environment.
  
• Significant experience managing complex financial resources, including departmental operational budgets, Tuition Set Aside funding, government grants, donor-restricted funds, and financial forecasting to ensure effective stewardship and regulatory compliance.
  
• Specialized training in Ontario student financial assistance programs, financial management, regulatory compliance, and leadership.
  
• Thorough understanding of federal and provincial student financial assistance programs, institutional bursaries, and scholarships, awards, emergency funding and donor-related awards.
  
• Ability to interpret and apply complex legislation, policies, collective agreements, and institutional procedures while exercising sound judgment in complex situations.
  
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging in student services, staffing practices, program development, or organizational decision-making.
  

Please note this posting is for an existingvacancy.

Job Competition closes at 7:00 p.m. EST on October 16, 2026. Competition number AD26-28.

Durham College invites applications from all qualified individuals. Durham is committed to fostering workplace diversity, and, provides accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout our hiring process. If you require this information in alternate format; require communication supports; an accommodation in applying for a posting and/or if you are selected for an interview, please contact our Human Resources (HR) department and an HR assistant will work with you to meet your needs.

We thank you for your interest in employment with Durham College however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Land Acknowledgement

Durham College is situated on the traditional lands of the First Peoples of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. These lands are covered under the Williams Treaties and rest within the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to the Indigenous Peoples who care for and, through the treaty process, share the lands on which we live, learn, teach and prosper today.