Director of Financial Aid

Columbia University Business School; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 137,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia Business School in New York seeks a Director of Financial Aid to oversee the Office of Financial Aid and lead a professional, service-oriented operation providing comprehensive aid services for MBA, EMBA, MS, and PhD programs.

The role directs strategy, policy, and compliance, manages budgeting and staffing, and ensures timely delivery of aid while maintaining a holistic student-advising approach. A strong track record in federal aid regulations and CRM systems is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; 5–7 years’ minimum experience in a financial aid office setting preferred.
• Must have exceptionally strong communication skills to interact effectively with students, faculty, administrators, executives in the academic, corporate and foundation communities.
• Knowledge of federal regulations regarding eligibility for financial assistance required; strong competencies in financial aid systems.
• Advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and direct financial aid strategies within the framework of federal and state regulations.
• Implement packaging policies and procedures for awarding aid and adjust policies as needed.
• Manage the committees that make funding decisions across all degree programs.
• Evaluate aid eligibility in collaboration with relevant offices.
• Supervise daily operations and staff to ensure timely delivery of aid and counseling.
• Oversee hiring, onboarding, and performance evaluations for staff.
• Manage the office budget and update policy manuals and student handbooks.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and conduct internal audits and reconciliations.
• Collaborate with university partners on COA budgets and reporting to leadership.

Skills

Communication

Project management

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree

Tools

PowerFAIDS

Slate

Salesforce

Banner

Job description

Salary: $120,000.00 - $137,000.00 Annually

Application Deadline: N/A

Education

Reporting to the Assistant Dean, Financial Aid and Enrollment Systems, the Director, Financial Aid oversees the Office of Financial Aid and leads a professional, efficient, and service-oriented operation that provides a full range of financial aid services to Columbia Business School students in the MBA, EMBA, MS, and PhD programs. The office administers Title IV aid, institutional scholarships, private loans, and veteran benefits totaling over $95 million annually.

The Director stays current with federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations and policies, as well as peer school trends and practices, and recommends changes in policy and practice to maintain an innovative financial aid program. They are committed to providing a holistic advising experience and to collaborating across campus and within the higher education community. This role will provide a unique opportunity for a highly talented, student focused professional to become part of a world class, Ivy League institution.

Responsibilities

Financial Aid Strategy and Policy

Develop and direct financial aid strategies within the framework of federal and state regulations that are consistent with the enrollment management objectives of the School.

Implement packaging policies and procedures for awarding aid, and adjust and recommend changes in policy and practice as needed to meet changing regulations and trends in financial aid.

Manage the committees that make funding decisions across all degree seeking programs.

Conduct the evaluation of aid eligibility based on the satisfactory academic progress policy in collaboration with the Office of Student Affairs and the Registrar.

Leadership and Office Operations

Supervise and manage the daily operations and staff within the Office of Financial Aid to ensure timely delivery of financial aid awards and comprehensive counseling to newly admitted and continuing students as part of the division's holistic approach to student advising.

Oversee the hiring and onboarding process for new staff, allocate work, and conduct all yearly performance evaluations.

Manage a specialty function or area of knowledge within the office, developing expertise and serving as a resource to other financial aid staff. Train staff to counsel and support students within specialty areas, which may include, but are not limited to, veteran, international, dual degree, and employee populations.

Manage the office budget and perform annual reviews of the office's policy and procedures manual, including updating the student handbook and bulletin for each program.

Complete projects as requested by the Assistant Dean, Financial Aid and Enrollment Systems.

Compliance, Audit, and Reconciliation

Collaborate with the Columbia financial aid compliance office to ensure compliance with federal regulations. Develop internal audit mechanisms and perform internal audits in preparation for periodic program review by independent auditors and representatives of federal and state agencies.

Oversee the reconciliation of sponsored billing, tuition benefits, and external funding to ensure students are not over awarded.

Reconcile institutional funding on a quarterly basis in collaboration with the finance and advancement teams, including matching endowed and current use gifts to students who meet donor intent.

Work with University partners to perform semesterly bill testing and establish cost of attendance (COA) budgets across all programs.

Systems, Data, and Reporting

Develop strategic initiatives in support of financial aid operations, partnering with the Enrollment Systems team, Data team, University Financial Aid, Student Financial Services, and CUIT to ensure financial aid data is stored and managed effectively.

Oversee the maintenance of all financial aid related datasets across the CRM and manage the new award year setup on an annual basis.

Provide reporting updates to senior leadership in collaboration with the Data team, as needed.

Student Programming and Communications

Develop and coordinate programming for students across all programs on financial aid literacy and University billing, ensuring communication outreach and materials align with CBS branding guidelines.

Maintain the Office of Financial Aid website and all related portals, ensuring the accuracy of all public facing content for students across the entire enrollment funnel.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required. 5 to 7 years’ minimum experience in a financial aid office setting preferred.

Must have exceptionally strong communication skills to interact effectively with students, faculty, administrators, executives in the academic, corporate and foundation communities.

Expected to manage multiple projects with changing deadlines under time constraints while overseeing the work of others.

Must be able to work independently, maintain confidentiality, make decisions under pressure, exercise tact and diplomacy at all times.

Knowledge of federal regulations regarding eligibility for financial assistance required; strong competencies in financial aid systems.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced degree preferred.

Financial Aid team management strongly preferred, graduate business school environment preferred.

Proficiency with PowerFAIDS, including administration and report modules highly desirable. Knowledge of CRMs i.e. Slate or Salesforce and SIS systems i.e. Banner preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.