Director of Financial Aid

Job Title: Director of Financial AidLocation: Clayton State UniversityRegular/Temporary: RegularFull/Part Time: Full-TimeJob ID: 296181About UsLocated in Morrow, Georgia, Clayton State University is roughly 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta. The university offers employees an adaptable, collaborative environment that fosters professional and personal development.The university is committed to having a positive impact on the State of Georgia and beyond by serving students and the community through broadening access to high-quality education and advancing workforce development. Clayton State offers multiple certificates, Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's Degree programs, which currently enroll over 5,500 students in challenging campus and online courses.Clayton State's main campus is situated on 214 beautiful acres in a lakeside setting just minutes from downtown Atlanta, making access to the vibrant metropolitan area swift. The Atlanta-Journal Constitution has named the university a Top Workplace in Atlanta for six consecutive years. The Chronicle of Higher Education also named Clayton State one of 79 higher education institutions across the nation in its list of 2017 Great Colleges to Work For.Job SummaryClayton State University seeks an experienced and motivated professional to lead the Office of Financial Aid as the Director of Financial Aid. The Director provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and accountability for all functions of the Office of Financial Aid. This role is responsible for fostering a high¿quality, student¿centered service environment for students and their families. The Director ensures full compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations and oversees the administration of all financial assistance programs and scholarships.ResponsibilitiesDevelop and direct the systems, policies, and procedures that ensure the effective and compliant operation of the Office of Financial Aid.Ensure full adherence to federal, state, and Board of Regents (BOR) financial aid regulations, including the timely completion and submission of all required reports.Remain current on Department of Education policy updates and communicate relevant changes to appropriate campus departments.Design and implement initiatives that promote student retention, persistence, and overall success.Monitor the institution¿s student loan default rate and lead strategies to support responsible borrowing and reduce student indebtedness.Oversee the department¿s budget and manage the allocation of financial, technological, and human resources.Provide leadership and support to staff through ongoing professional development that enhances operational efficiency and ensures compliance with federal, state, and BOR requirements.Demonstrate strong leadership, motivation, and problem¿solving skills grounded in integrity, ethical practice, and a commitment to the University¿s mission.Perform other duties as assigned to support the effective operation of the Office of Financial Aid and the goals of the University.Required QualificationsBachelor¿s Degree Required3¿5 years of progressively responsible financial aid administration experience, with at least 2-3 years in a supervisory or leadership roleDirect experience with Title IV programs, compliance, and federal/state regulationsExperience with financial aid systems (Banner, PeopleSoft, etc.)Preferred QualificationsMaster¿s Degree PreferredKnowledge of Banner and SQL is preferred and considered beneficial.Knowledge, Skills, & AbilitiesAbility to build and sustain strong, professional, and long¿term working relationships.Demonstrates enthusiasm, energy, and poise in all interactions.Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.Excellent communication and organizational skills.Knowledge of Banner and SQL is preferred and considered beneficial.Ability to collaborate with stakeholders.USG Core ValuesThe University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conductAdditionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653Institutional ValuesClayton State University will have a positive impact on the State of Georgia and beyond by serving students and the community through broadening access to high-quality education and advancing workforce development. Our statement of core values is adaptability, collaboration, excellence, integrity, and people-centered. Each Clayton State University community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on Clayton State's Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct can be found online at https://www.clayton.edu/strategic-plan/mission-vision-values and https://www.clayton.edu/human-resources/current-employees/resources-policiesConditions of EmploymentOffers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation, including a criminal background check demonstrating eligibility for employment with Clayton State University, as determined by Clayton State University in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Candidate must disclose potential, actual, or apparent conflicts of interest in compliance.Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, statutes, rules, and regulations of this institution and the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.Equal Employment OpportunityClayton State University is an equal employment, equal access, and equal educational opportunity and affirmative action institution. It is the policy of the University to recruit, hire, train, promote, and educate persons without regard to race, color, national or ethnical origin, age, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status as required by applicable state and federal laws (including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Sections 503, and 504, AREA, ADA, E.O. 11246, and Rev. Proc. 75-50). Clayton State University is an Affir mative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution. For questions or more detailed information regarding this policy, please contact the Clayton State University Office of Human Resources at (678) 466-4230. For individuals requiring disability-related accommodations for participation in any event or to obtain print materials in an alternative format, please contact the Disability Resource Center at (678) 466-5445.Clery DisclosureThis position may be considered a Campus Security Authority, CSA. A Campus Security Authority is a Clery-specific term that encompasses certain departments, groups, and individual employees who have a duty to report crimes they become aware of, as defined by the Clery Act.J-18808-Ljbffr