Director

Buffalo State College; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Buffalo State University is seeking an Executive Director for the SUNY Financial Aid Network (SUNYFAN) to plan, direct, and assess financial aid services for SUNYFAN member campuses. The role leads staff, coordinates FAFSA/TAP efforts, and provides data-informed recommendations to improve the program.

The position requires strategic planning, campus leadership experience, and ability to work independently with confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution is required.
• Minimum of ten years in higher education administration in financial aid.
• At least five years of campus leadership at director level or higher.
• Experience with data collection and analysis.
• Experience with program assessment.
• Experience tracking key deliverables and following up on outstanding items.

Responsibilities

• Track costs and allocate costs among SUNY FAN members.
• Allocate overhead costs to members via fees.
• Provide information and analysis to members on services and results.
• Prepare annual cost budgets for member campuses.
• Hire, train and manage SUNYFAN staffing.
• Maintain regular reporting to the Chancellor.

Skills

Higher education administration

Leadership

Strategic planning

Staff supervision

Data analysis

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s degree

Job description

Job Opportunities at Buffalo State University

Buffalo State is one of the largest comprehensive schools in the State University of New York system. As a civically minded, urban-engaged campus community located in the city’s cultural corridor, Buffalo State prides itself as having smaller learning environments coupled with larger university opportunities. Boasting a diverse and inclusive campus, Buffalo State is committed to the intellectual, personal, and professional growth of its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The school’s mission is to deliver a broad array of high-quality and distinctive academic programs infused with diversity, creativity, and hands‑on learning opportunities for hardworking students who seek a personalized and affordable education that engages their minds and advances their careers. Buffalo State is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, service, scholarship, creative activity, and cultural enrichment. With degree programs in education, the arts, science, arts and humanities, and professional studies, each year over 6,000 students choose Buffalo State. Buffalo State welcomes applicants who are committed to helping us fulfill our mission.

Faculty/Professional

Faculty/Professional Professional

Department

Local Title

Local Title Executive Director for the SUNY Financial Aid Network

Budget Title

Budget Title Director

Rank

Rank MP-3

Line Number

Line Number TBD

Salary Range

Salary Range $100,000 - $120,000

FTE

FTE Full-Time

Bargaining Unit

Bargaining Unit M/C

PRODiG+ Position

PRODiG+ Position No

Executive Position

Executive Position Yes

FLSA

FLSA Exempt

Department Website

Brief Job Description

The SUNY Financial Aid Network ( SUNYFAN ) is a shared-services model for financial aid application assistance, staff training, and financial aid award processing for member campuses from the State University of New York.

The Executive Director for the SUNY Financial Aid Network will report directly to the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management at SUNY System Administration. The Executive Director for the SUNY Financial Aid Network ( SUNYFAN ) will plan, direct, and assess the financial aid services and needs of the SUNYFAN members. The Executive Director will provide leadership and direct supervision to program staff in coordinating a range of strategic initiatives, including, but not limited to, FAFSA and TAP application completion efforts, student assistance with financial aid processes, financial aid staff onboarding and training for member campuses, and financial aid processing for member campuses. The incumbent will assess the effectiveness and impact of these initiatives, identify changing data needs, work with member campuses in establishing benchmarks, refine data collection methodologies, prepare comprehensive reports and presentations, and provide data-informed recommendations to leadership on strengthening the program. The position will call for working independently, under general direction, while using good judgement, and maintaining the highest level of confidentiality. The Executive Director for SUNYFAN will serve as a key leader for SUNY System Administration through the Office of Enrollment Management, and will have a deep understanding, commitment, and value of working as a collaborator, with a strong personal orientation toward collaboration, transparency, and accessibility.

This position will be based at the SUNY Buffalo State University campus. Some travel is required to represent SUNY at local, state and national conferences, workshops, training, and for meetings.

Duties and Responsibilities will include but not limited to:

• Track costs and accurately allocate costs among members based on the annual budget approved by SUNY FAN and the Advising Committee.
• Allocate overhead costs to members through the basic membership fees and/or services fees based on the annual budget approved by SUNY FAN and the Advising Committee.
• Assess any late fees to member campuses.
• Provide information and analysis to members on financial aid administration services provided, strategies employed, and results obtained when requested.
• Provide information to and obtain Advising Committee approval, for changes in financial aid administration services to be provided by FAN , strategies employed or suggested to meet FAN goals and mission, allocation of costs among membership, member services, overhead costs, etc.
• Prepare annual cost budgets for member campuses.
• Make timely payments to contractors, and consultants for commodities and services provided.
• Provide audit of bills submitted by contractors or consultants.
• Meet with Advising Committee at least every six (6) months.
• Establish the standards and services to be followed by SUNYFAN in providing the services requested by member campuses.
• Establish and maintain a “service charge” schedule, based on the requested member services, which will support the operations of SUNYFAN , dependent on the approved operational and capital budget submitted to the Chancellor or designee.
• Hire, train and manage, within collectively bargained requirements and the established campus structure, any SUNYFAN staffing
• Maintain regular reporting to the Chancellor for the State University of New York or their designee.

Special Notes: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, please note that Buffalo State University is not an E-Verify employer.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution of higher education is required.

Experience

• Minimum of ten years of experience in higher education administration in financial aid, with at least five years of campus leadership experience at the director level or higher.
• Strategic planning and management experience.
• Minimum of two years of experience supervising professional staff.
• Experience working in programs supporting the success of students from educationally and/or economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Experience with data collection and analysis.
• Experience with program assessment.
• Experience tracking key deliverables and following up on outstanding items.

Preferred Qualifications

Education
Master’s degree or higher strongly preferred.

Buffalo State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution that subscribes to all federal, state, and SUNY legal requirements and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or marital or veteran status (Nondiscrimination Notice). Any violation of this policy should be reported to the Institutional Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Office, Cleveland Hall 204, [phone]. Buffalo State is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Warnes at [e-mail] or call [phone].

Applicants interested in positions may access the Annual Security Report ( ASR ) for SUNY Buffalo State at http://police.buffalostate.edu . The ASR contains information on campus security policies and certain campus crime statistics. Crime statistics are reported in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. Applicants may request a hard copy of the ASR by contacting the SUNY Buffalo State University Police Department at [phone].

New York State Executive Order 161

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
  • Buffalo State website
  • Buffalo News
  • Buffalo Rocket
  • Challenger
  • Chronicle of Higher Education
  • HigherEdJobs
  • Panorama Hispano News
  • Employee Referral
  • Other
• * All applicants are subject to a pre-employment background investigation. The college's Pre-Employment Background Screening Policy is available at http://hr.buffalostate.edu/pre-employment-background-screening. Prior to an offer of employment, an applicant will be required to sign an authorization release form, allowing Buffalo State to conduct a background investigation. Failure of an applicant to sign the authorization release form will disqualify an applicant from further consideration for appointment.
  • I agree to comply with the college's policy.
  • I do not agree to comply with the college's policy. (Note, this selection will disqualify you from further consideration for appointment.)
• Do you have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education?
  • Yes
  • No
• Do you have a minimum of ten years of experience in higher education administration in financial aid, with at least five years of campus leadership experience at the director level or higher?
  • Yes
  • No

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Resume / Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Names and Contact Information for 3 Professional References

Optional Documents