Executive Director, Student Financial Wellness

Rush University Medical Center; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 72,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

Rush University Medical Center in Chicago seeks a Senior Director of Financial Wellness to lead the student financing strategy, governance, and policy. You will oversee financial aid policy, affordability initiatives, and equity-focused outcomes at an enterprise level.

The role requires translating complex policy and market changes into actionable strategy, partnering with senior leaders, and guiding large-scale system initiatives like Workday Student.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in finance, business, higher education, public administration, or related field.
• Demonstrated senior-level leadership with accountability for institutional outcomes.
• Ability to translate policy, regulatory change, and market dynamics into strategy.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the university’s executive authority for student financing, financial aid policy, and financial wellness strategy.
• Own risk and outcome accountability related to affordability, enrollment, compliance, and revenue exposure.
• Advise senior leadership on policy changes, funding disruptions, and enrollment implications.
• Lead development and stewardship of a lifecycle-based financial wellness strategy aligned with enrollment, retention, and equity priorities.
• Represent the university in national associations, regulatory discussions, and strategic partnerships.
• Provide enterprise governance for all federal/state and institutional financial aid programs.

Skills

Executive leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Analytical thinking

Strategic thinking

Regulatory expertise

Executive communication

Data-driven decision making

Change management

Education

Master’s degree or higher in finance/ business/ higher education/ public administration

Doctorate or professional certifications (preferred)

Tools

Workday Student

Enterprise systems

Job description

Rush University Medical Center in Chicago seeks a Senior Director of Financial Wellness to lead the student financing strategy, governance, and policy. You will oversee financial aid policy, affordability initiatives, and equity-focused outcomes at an enterprise level.

The role requires translating complex policy and market changes into actionable strategy, partnering with senior leaders, and guiding large-scale system initiatives like Workday Student.