Strategic Director, Financial Aid & Student Success

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

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition assistance

Flexible work arrangements

Wellness facilities access

Job summary

Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences seeks a strategic leader to head its Financial Aid Office, ensuring compliant administration of federal, state, and institutional funding while guiding staff and shaping services for students.

You will translate complex regulations for campus stakeholders, leverage technology, optimize processes, and promote student success in a dynamic, innovative environment.

Qualifications

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

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: 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.

Skills

Financial aid operations

Regulatory compliance

Staff development

Student counseling

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related discipline

Job description

Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences seeks a strategic leader to head its Financial Aid Office, ensuring compliant administration of federal, state, and institutional funding while guiding staff and shaping services for students.

You will translate complex regulations for campus stakeholders, leverage technology, optimize processes, and promote student success in a dynamic, innovative environment.