Senior Director, Financial Aid Strategy & Operations

Columbia University Irving Medical Center; New York (NY); On-site; USD 138,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York, NY seeks a Senior Director of Financial Aid & Planning to lead the VP&S and CDM financial aid programs, manage institutional and external funds, ensure regulatory compliance, and supervise a leadership team. The role liaises with institutional leaders and external funding agencies to advance student support and financial literacy initiatives.

Key duties include strategic optimization of processes, data analytics, reporting to AAMC and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required or equivalent in education and experience with 7 years related experience.
• Master's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial aid operations for VP&S and CDM, including forecasting, packaging, awarding, disbursement, reconciliation, and reporting of all institutional, federal, and external funds.
• Develop long‑term strategies for optimizing financial aid processes, student support, and resource allocation in alignment with institutional goals.
• Lead initiatives to evaluate, adopt, and optimize financial aid technology and infrastructure, including student information systems, reporting tools, and workflow platforms, to improve operational efficiency and enhance the student experience.
• Supervise junior staff and other leadership staff, ensuring operational alignment, performance management, and professional development.
• Serve as a senior liaison to institutional stakeholders on financial aid policy, strategy, and compliance matters.
• Lead financial literacy, debt management, and student counseling programs across VP&S and CDM.
• Develop and implement initiatives to enhance student experience, accessibility, and equity in financial aid services.
• Oversee operational planning for student engagement with scholarship programs, advising sessions, and financial wellness initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations (Title IV, Title VII, FERPA, University policies), Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4).
• Direct audits, compliance reviews, and policy implementation across all programs.
• Serve as a senior escalation point for complex regulatory or student issues.
• Oversee data systems and processes (e.g., PowerFAIDS, SIS, OnBase, SDR) for financial aid administration, reporting, and forecasting.
• Guide reporting for institutional, federal, and external agencies, including AAMC, accreditation bodies, and donor requirements.
• Use data analytics to inform strategy, identify trends, implement tech updates and innovation, and optimize student support and office operations.
• Advise on budget planning and resource allocation for all financial aid programs, scholarships, and operational initiatives.
• Collaborate with Finance and institutional leadership to forecast expenditures and ensure strategic fund distribution.
• Provide executive oversight for staffing, technology, and other resources to ensure operational efficiency and service quality.
• Supervise staff, providing coaching, performance management, and professional development.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, fairness, and professional growth.
• Serve as mentor and advisor to the team, ensuring accountability and high performance.
• Partner with stakeholders across VP&S, CDM, Student Affairs, Registrar, SFS, UFA, CUIMC Development, Admissions, and Finance, and other University administrative offices to coordinate financial aid strategy and operations.
• Represent the Office in institutional committees, external forums, and national networks.
• Stay current on university financial aid policies, system updates, and administrative procedures relevant to the role.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Regulatory compliance

Data analytics

Budget management

People management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

PowerFAIDS

IM needs analysis

Job description

Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York, NY seeks a Senior Director of Financial Aid & Planning to lead the VP&S and CDM financial aid programs, manage institutional and external funds, ensure regulatory compliance, and supervise a leadership team. The role liaises with institutional leaders and external funding agencies to advance student support and financial literacy initiatives.

Key duties include strategic optimization of processes, data analytics, reporting to AAMC and