Director Financial Aid

Des Moines University; West Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan contribution

Retirement match 10%

Flexible work arrangements

Tuition assistance

Professional development funding

Wellness facilities access

Paid time off

Job summary

Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences seeks an experienced strategic leader to head the Financial Aid Office, overseeing daily operations, accurate awarding, disbursement, student eligibility reviews, and compliance with federal, state, and institutional funding.

You will translate complex Title IV requirements for campus stakeholders, guide staff development, and drive process improvements through technology and data analytics to support the university’s student-success mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field.
• At least five years in a higher-ed financial aid office.
• Experience implementing regulatory changes and Title IV compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead Financial Aid Operations: Direct the day-to-day administration of federal, state, institutional, and scholarship aid programs, ensuring accurate awarding, disbursement, student eligibility review, and exceptional service to students.
• Ensure Regulatory Compliance: Monitor regulatory changes, maintaining policies and procedures, overseeing Title IV compliance, and educating campus stakeholders on federal and state requirements.
• Manage and Develop Staff: Provide leadership, supervision, training, performance management, and professional development for Financial Aid Office staff while fostering a high-performing, student-centered team.
• Advise and Support Students: Oversee financial aid counseling and financial literacy initiatives, helping students navigate funding options, academic progress requirements, appeals, and financial wellness.
• Drive Strategic Planning and Reporting: Collaborate with Enrollment Management, Admissions, and Business & Finance leaders to support recruitment goals, manage the department budget, analyze financial aid data, complete required reporting, and optimize the strategic use of financial aid resources.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial aid operations

Regulatory compliance

Staff development

Financial counseling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related discipline

Job description

Job no: 493047
Work type: FT
Location: West Des Moines
Categories: Staff

Are you a strategic leader who is passionate about helping students access and afford higher education? We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking professional to lead our Financial Aid Office during a time of innovation, regulatory change, and evolving student needs.

In this pivotal role, you will oversee the daily operations of financial aid programs, ensuring the effective administration of federal, state, and institutional funding while maintaining the highest standards of compliance. You will serve as a trusted campus resource, translating complex financial aid regulations into actionable guidance for colleagues across the University and helping safeguard compliance with Title IV Federal Student Aid requirements.

Beyond operational leadership, you'll play a key role in shaping the future of financial aid services. By leveraging technology, optimizing processes, and responding to the changing landscape of higher education, you'll enhance the student experience and support the University's mission of student success. If you thrive in a dynamic environment, enjoy solving complex challenges, and are committed to making a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply.

What you’ll do:

• Lead Financial Aid Operations: Direct the day-to-day administration of federal, state, institutional, and scholarship aid programs, ensuring accurate awarding, disbursement, student eligibility review, and exceptional service to students.
• Ensure Regulatory Compliance: Serve as the University's financial aid compliance expert by monitoring regulatory changes, maintaining policies and procedures, overseeing Title IV compliance, and educating campus stakeholders on federal and state requirements.
• Manage and Develop Staff: Provide leadership, supervision, training, performance management, and professional development for Financial Aid Office staff while fostering a high-performing, student-centered team.
• Advise and Support Students: Oversee financial aid counseling and financial literacy initiatives, helping students navigate funding options, academic progress requirements, appeals, and financial wellness throughout their educational journey.
• Drive Strategic Planning and Reporting: Collaborate with Enrollment Management, Admissions, and Business & Finance leaders to support recruitment goals, manage the department budget, analyze financial aid data, complete required reporting, and optimize the strategic use of financial aid resources.

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in a financial aid office in an institution of higher education, preferably at the graduate professional school level.

*To see the full job description go to Position Description at the bottom of this posting.

Total Rewards:

The anticipated salary range for this position is $125,000 to $130,000 annually, with the final offer determined based on the selected candidate's qualifications and experience.

Our employees are what make DMU special, so we treat them well! Our Total Rewards reflect this commitment. Qualified faculty and staff enjoy a generous employer contribution toward the medical plan, 10% retirement match, flexible work arrangements, community service time, tuition assistance, professional development funding and access to wellness facilities with programs that promote a well-balanced lifestyle.

DMU is proud to offer employees generous benefits and perks, paid time off, free use of wellness facilities and a host of employee engagement and recognition programs throughout the year.

About:

Founded in 1898, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences is a premier medical and health sciences institution comprising three colleges — the College of Osteopathic Medicine, the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery and the College of Health Sciences. DMU offers graduate-level professional degree programs in anatomy, biomedical sciences, health care administration, medical science, occupational therapy, osteopathic medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, podiatric medicine and public health.

Located in West Des Moines, part of Iowa’s capital metro, DMU provides a collaborative, student-centered academic environment. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks in board exam performance, certification pass rates and medical residency match outcomes. Our mission is to improve lives in our global community by educating diverse groups of highly competent and compassionate health professionals.

It is an exciting time to join DMU. Our 88-acre campus in West Des Moines brings the entire academic community together in one collaborative, future-focused environment, while the Des Moines University Clinic serves patients within the DMU32 Health and Business Complex in downtown Des Moines. Our state-of-the-art campus features technology-rich, flexible learning environments that support innovative teaching and connect faculty and students across all of our programs. Modern research facilities include a vibrant open-concept laboratory that fosters collaboration, accelerates discovery and empowers faculty and students to advance the health sciences.

DMU enhances our community’s quality of life by educating outstanding health professionals and leaders, providing expert and compassionate patient care, serving the community in diverse ways and contributing to the vitality of central Iowa.

At DMU, you will make a meaningful contribution to the dynamic future of medicine and health sciences by supporting a diverse community of faculty and staff with programs and services across the employee lifecycle.

Resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references required at time of online submission.

Department: Financial Aid

Status: Exempt

Advertised: 02 Nov 2026 Central Standard Time

Applications close: Open Until Filled

Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, veteran status, genetic information and other characteristics protected by law (“protected class”). For more information view the Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal poster. Members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

The university is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an email to [e-mail] or call 515-271-1484 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Annual Security Report

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, Des Moines University publishes an annual security report and makes it available to all current and prospective students and employees. The report contains a description of DMU’s safety and security-related policy statements and procedures and includes statistics of crimes reported over the past three years to DMU officials about incidents occurring on campus locations or nearby public property. The report also includes information about ways to stay safe and report security-related incidents. You may view the current annual security report online or request a printed copy of the report by contacting the building services manager at 515-271-1471 .