Assistant Vice President and Director of Student Financial Services
JOB TITLE: Assistant Vice President and Director of Student Financial Services
DEPARTMENT: Student Financial Services
REPORTS TO: Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
Position Summary:
The University of the Arts seeks a proven, dynamic, and forward-thinking professional for the position of Assistant Vice President & Director of Student Financial Services. As a key member of the administration reporting to the Vice President for Enrollment, Retention & Student Affairs, the AVP manages the University’s financial aid and bursar functions.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
- Establishes procedures and guidelines regarding the effective and efficient distribution of financial aid among eligible applicants and enrolled students, with central focus meeting the institution’s enrollment and budget goals;
- Works closely with all Enrollment Management Offices (Admissions, Student Affairs, etc.) to maximize yield and retention of a talented and diverse population of talented aspiring artists;
- Oversees and coaches SFS staff in guiding students and families through all stages of enrollment via interpersonal counseling, publications, workshops and correspondence with a keen eye toward constituent service. Acts as arbiter in exceptional cases;
- Works with external consultants to establish institutional financial aid policy. Utilizes historical data to inform and project effective use of financial aid to meet institutional goals. Works closely with senior administration in the setting of enrollment and net revenue goals;
- Selects, trains, supervises and evaluates a staff of 13 full-time professionals with responsibility for administering the University’s scholarship, grants, student employment, student billing, cashier, loan and financial aid counseling programs;
- Manages the Student Financial Services operating budget;
- Works closely with the Office of Admissions and the University’s three deans and six school directors to determine the composition and character of each entering cohort and manages the award communication and financial aid packaging process and procedures from applicant status to enrollment;
- Provides leadership on various working groups dedicated to streamlining and improving policies and procedures across function areas of the University;
- Works closely with partner administrative offices to ensure student success throughout the academic year;
- Oversees all areas and functions or financial aid awarding, disbursement, reconciliation, compliance, and reporting;
- Ensures a high level of customer service through staff training, effective assessment and utilization of technology, process and policy development, and proactive communication;
- Extensively analyzes data to determine program effectiveness, to inform strategic planning and tactical updates to annual planning, and to create, distribute and present reports to academic departments, senior staff and the board of trustees;
- Monitors and maintains the University’s compliance with constantly changing federal and state regulations on student aid programs;
- Keeps abreast of new financing options and aid programs for students and their families and new approaches to distributing institutional funds;
- Follows current research on the impact of aid on student’s enrollment decisions, academic work, and life after college; anticipating and adjusting to future changes.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the incumbent; they do not purport to describe all functions. Incumbent may be assigned other duties, and the essential functions may change from time to time as necessary.
Education and Experience:
- A bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree is preferred.
- Ten years of progressive experience in both undergraduate and graduate financial aid.
- Previous experience in admissions is preferred but not required.
Position Requirements:
- A qualified candidate will demonstrate a history of crafting financial aid policy and a thorough knowledge of federal and state aid regulations.
- Candidates should exhibit strong leadership qualities and managerial ability.
- Candidates must be able to demonstrate both high financial and analytical acumen but also a dedication to providing excellent student service throughout the student life cycle.
- To be considered for this position, candidates must be energetic, collegial and results-oriented and have the ability to represent accurately and enthusiastically the University to a wide variety of University constituents.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY: Celebrating its 140th anniversary this year, the University of the Arts is one of the nation’s only universities dedicated solely to educating students in the visual and performing arts, design, and writing. UArts is a leader in educating creative individuals through an innovative, flexible, rigorous and well-rounded curriculum that prepares students to be the creative leaders of tomorrow, whether in a specific artistic discipline or by applying their arts education to virtually any career. Our alumni are leading some of the Philadelphia region’s most important cultural institutions and are positively impacting the creative economy nationally. With nearly 1,800 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs on its campus in the heart of Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts, UArts students collaborate across disciplines and benefit from being in one of the nation’s most culturally vibrant cities. For more information, please visit uarts.edu.
TO APPLY: Interested qualified applicants should submit a letter of application/cover letter, and a resume via email to jobs@uarts.edu. Please ensure job title is in the Subject line.
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, The University of the Arts publishes its Annual Safety Report at the following link for your reference: http://www.uarts.edu/about/campus-crime-fire-reports
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER