Director, Financial Aid Technology

About UsAre you ready to transform lives through academic excellence, innovative research, strong community partnerships and economic opportunity? Kennesaw State University is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. With growing enrollment and global reach, we continue to expand our institutional influence and prominence beyond the state of Georgia. We offer more than 190 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to empower over 50,000 students to become thought leaders, lifelong learners, and informed global citizens. Our entrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division I athletics draw students from throughout the region and from more than 100 countries across the globe. Our university's vibrant culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability make us an employer of choice. We are part of the University System of Georgia. We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision. Come Take Flight at KSU!Location(Primary Location for Job Responsibilities) Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144.Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.Job SummaryProvides strategic leadership, vision, and operational oversight for all technology systems supporting the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. This role ensures the effective implementation, integration, compliance, and optimization of enterprise systems that administer federal, state, and institutional aid programs. The Director partners closely with Financial Aid leadership, Information Technology, Institutional Research, and external vendors to deliver secure, compliant, student-centered technology solutions that enhance efficiency and data-informed decision-making.ResponsibilitiesKEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Develop and execute a comprehensive financial aid technology strategy aligned with institutional enrollment and student success goals. Serve as the primary liaison between Financial Aid, IT, and senior leadership on system planning and enhancements. Lead long-range planning for system upgrades, modernization initiatives, and digital transformation efforts. Monitor regulatory and policy changes affecting financial aid systems and ensure proactive system readiness. Oversee administration and optimization of the institution's student information system (Ellucian Banner, Campus Logic) and related financial aid modules. Manage integration of federal and state systems, including FAFSA processing and U.S. Department of Education interfaces. Ensure secure data exchange between internal systems and third-party vendors (e.g., document management, verification, scholarship platforms). Oversee system configuration, testing, deployment, change management, and release management processes. Ensure systems comply with federal and state regulations, including Title IV requirements and audit standards. Collaborate with Information Security to maintain data privacy and security standards. Lead internal and external audit preparation related to financial aid systems and data integrity. Implement controls to ensure accuracy, transparency, and accountability in aid awarding and disbursement processes. Promote data governance standards and best practices across financial aid technology systems. Supervise a team of financial aid systems analysts and support staff. Lead professional development initiatives to maintain expertise in evolving technologies and regulations.Required QualificationsEducational RequirementsBachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in related fieldRequired ExperienceEight (8) years relevant experience with an extensive working knowledge of and experience accessing data in Banner (Ellucian) and experience with reporting and query tools and coding in SQL (or gathering data from other related database systems). Some supervisory experience.Preferred QualificationsPreferred Educational QualificationsAdvanced degree from an accredited institution of higher educationAbilitiesKnowledge, Skills, & AbilitiesProven ability to identify root causes of data quality issues and implement compliant, scalable solutionsDemonstrated success managing large-scale, detail-oriented projects, including system implementations, upgrades, and cross-functional initiativesAbility to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in fast-paced environments while aligning work with business impactAble to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time meeting assigned deadlinesEffective collaboration with staff, faculty, administrators, and external partners to support student successExperience developing and maintaining standard operating procedures, including workflows, specifications, and process documentationFamiliarity with emerging technologies, automation tools, and data analytics in higher education administrationKNOWLEDGEWorking knowledge of and compliance with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Higher Education Act (HEA), including maintaining accurate, secure, and compliant records for institutional and external reportingStrong technical expertise in SQL, Oracle PL/SQL, and Ellucian Banner ERP (Banner), including system troubleshooting, optimization, and data integrity managementExperience anticipating regulatory and technological changes and proactively adapting systems and processes Knowledge of data governance, cybersecurity principles, and regulatory frameworks to ensure accuracy, security, and reliability of sensitive student financial dataSkillsStrong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on continuous improvement and innovation within compliance constraintsExcellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management and presentation skillsProficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite)Strong attention to detail and follow up skillsStrong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquetteUSG 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_conduct.Additionally, 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/C2653.Equal Employment OpportunityKennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.For additional information on this policy, or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, eeo@kennesaw.edu.Other InformationThis is a supervisory position.This position has financial responsibilities.This position will not be required to drive.This role is considered a position of trust.This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).This position may travel 1% - 24% of the timeBackground CheckCredit ReportStandard EnhancedEducationPer the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for positions of trust with screeningresults which confirm a disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified from employment eligibility.All applicants are required to include professional references as part of their application process. Some positions may require additional job-based screenings such as motor vehicle report, credit check, pre-employment drug screening and/or verification of academic credentials.https://www.usg.edu/hr/assets/hr/hrap_manual/HRAP_Background_Investigation_Employment.pdf