Strategic Program Operations Director

Isac; Deerfield (IL); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, vision, and life insurance

State Employees’ Retirement System

Educational benefits

25 vacation days + 13 holidays

Tuition waiver and reimbursements

Job summary

Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) seeks a strategic Director, Program Operations to lead the full spectrum of program operations, ensuring accurate processing, eligibility determinations, and rigorous quality control for scholarships, grants, and loan repayment programs.

The role directs high-volume operations, drives process improvements, and manages a team essential to fair and timely delivery of ISAC’s financial aid programs, reporting to the Managing Director in a hybrid work

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years in education, training or work experience in financial aid.
• Additional education/experience in program development or specialization may be required.
• ISAC offers health, vision and life insurance, retirement system and educational benefits.
• 25 vacation days per year and 13 paid holidays; tuition waiver options.

Responsibilities

• Serve as advisor to the Managing Director and PSC leadership on program operations and policy.
• Lead strategy, resource planning and workflow design for gift assistance operations.
• Manage team performance, assignments and continuous improvement efforts.
• Oversee Scholarship & Grants and Nontraditional Programs teams for operational accuracy.
• Translate statutes and policies into clear operational requirements and processes.
• Provide interpretation of rules and manage escalated eligibility issues consistently.
• Support program development efforts including communications and launch planning.
• Direct quality assurance, compliance and audit response activities.
• Maintain documentation of policies and procedures and track KPIs.
• Collaborate across PSC, agency partners, and system development teams.

Skills

Financial aid administration

Policy interpretation

Quality assurance

Process improvement

Education

Master’s Degree in relevant field

Job description

Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) seeks a strategic Director, Program Operations to lead the full spectrum of program operations, ensuring accurate processing, eligibility determinations, and rigorous quality control for scholarships, grants, and loan repayment programs.

The role directs high-volume operations, drives process improvements, and manages a team essential to fair and timely delivery of ISAC’s financial aid programs, reporting to the Managing Director in a hybrid work