Executive Director of Student Financial Services

The University of Montana; Missoula (MT); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance package

Mandatory retirement plan

Partial tuition waiver

Wellness program

Job summary

The University of Montana invites applications for the Executive Director of Student Financial Services. The Executive Director provides strategic leadership for Financial Aid and Student Accounts, ensuring an integrated, student-centered approach to financial services.

Reporting to the Chief Enrollment Officer, the position is responsible for advancing institutional strategy, operational effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and financial stewardship across the division.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in higher education finance or student financial services.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and change management.
• Strong knowledge of federal financial aid regulations.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for Student Financial Services, aligning Financial Aid, Scholarships, Student Accounts, and related functions with affordability, enrollment, and student success
• Oversee Financial Aid and Student Accounts operations, ensuring accurate, timely, efficient, student-centered, and compliant delivery of financial aid, billing, payments, refunds, and account services
• Lead the integration of financial aid, billing, scholarships, and student employment into a coordinated student financial success one-stop service model, including service standards, outreach, and financial education
• Direct the strategic use of institutional financial resources, establish policies and procedures, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations, audits, and reporting requirements
• Provide executive oversight of Student Financial Services systems, technology, data governance, and process improvement in partnership with Information Technology and campus stakeholders
• Collaborate with Finance, Treasury, Enrollment Services, the Registrar, Admissions, Academic Affairs, and other campus partners to advance retention, student success, financial stewardship, and institutional effectiveness
• Lead, coach, and develop departmental directors and managers; establish accountability, build organizational capacity, and foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, customer service, and continuous improvement
• Serve as the University’s senior advisor on student financial services, translating institutional priorities and emerging regulatory, technological, and enrollment needs into operational strategies, resource decisions, and measurable outcomes

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial aid operations

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder collaboration

People leadership

Data governance

Education

Master's degree in higher education administration

Certified Financial Aid Administrator

Job description

The University of Montana invites applications for the Executive Director of Student Financial Services. The Executive Director provides strategic leadership for Financial Aid and Student Accounts, ensuring an integrated, student-centered approach to financial services. Reporting to the Chief Enrollment Officer, the position is responsible for advancing institutional strategy, operational effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and financial stewardship across the division.

The Executive Director serves as the University’s senior leader for student financial services and works collaboratively across campus to support enrollment, student success and retention, and institutional effectiveness. The position leads organizational development, continuous improvement, and the integration of systems, processes, and services to enhance the student financial experience.

Additional Information

Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, MUS Contract and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

• insurance package
• mandatory retirement plan
• partial tuition waiver
• wellness program

Screening of applications will begin after the priority closing date of November 17, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for Student Financial Services, aligning Financial Aid, Scholarships, Student Accounts, and related functions with affordability, enrollment, and student success
• Oversee Financial Aid and Student Accounts operations, ensuring accurate, timely, efficient, student-centered, and compliant delivery of financial aid, billing, payments, refunds, and account services
• Lead the integration of financial aid, billing, scholarships, and student employment into a coordinated student financial success one-stop service model, including service standards, outreach, and financial education
• Direct the strategic use of institutional financial resources, establish policies and procedures, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations, audits, and reporting requirements
• Provide executive oversight of Student Financial Services systems, technology, data governance, and process improvement in partnership with Information Technology and campus stakeholders
• Collaborate with Finance, Treasury, Enrollment Services, the Registrar, Admissions, Academic Affairs, and other campus partners to advance retention, student success, financial stewardship, and institutional effectiveness
• Lead, coach, and develop departmental directors and managers; establish accountability, build organizational capacity, and foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, customer service, and continuous improvement
• Serve as the University’s senior advisor on student financial services, translating institutional priorities and emerging regulatory, technological, and enrollment needs into operational strategies, resource decisions, and measurable outcomes