Director - Financial Aid Operations

Director - Financial Aid Operations

Salary

$84,010.00 - $98,835.00 Annually

Location

Main Campus - Orem

Job Type

FT Exempt Salaried Staff

Job Number

FY2706296

Division

VP Student Affairs

Department

Financial Aid

Opening Date

07/29/2026

Closing Date

8/7/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

Required Documents Needed to Apply

Resume

Applicant Support

1-855-524-5627

Support@schooljobs.com

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Announcement

Help shape the future of student success by leading the administration of federal financial aid programs that make higher education accessible. As the Director - Financial Aid Operations, you will provide strategic leadership for Title IV programs, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations while driving operational excellence and continuous improvement. In this role, you will collaborate with university leaders, state and national partners, and regulatory agencies to strengthen financial aid operations, enhance the student experience, and support institutional goals. Youll also lead and develop a dedicated team of professionals, influence university-wide initiatives, and play a key role in improving student retention, completion, and graduation through effective financial aid administration. This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on students while advancing best practices in higher education.

Summary of Responsibilities

• Title IV Compliance and Regulatory Oversight: Oversee federal student aid budgets, reconciliation of federal program funding and reporting, and ensure that UVU meets all federal regulations pertaining to the administration of Title IV aid. Review all federal and state laws utilizing regional and national resources, revise UVU policies and procedures as necessary to ensure compliance. Assess the university's certificate programs to determine if they qualify for inclusion in the federal participation agreement, working closely with UVU Academic Affairs. Provide oversight of university policies related to the administration of Title IV aid. Frequently works with legal counsel and internal and external auditors to ensure ongoing compliance and continuous improvement.
• Student Success and Institutional Goal Advancement: Develop strategies to accomplish the institutional goals of increasing student FAFSA completion rates, improving customer experience, and increasing efficiency of operations. This will be done by evaluating Federal programs for their effectiveness in supporting student retention, timely completion, graduation rates, and campus staffing support. Oversee the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office FAFSA outreach initiatives, working closely with the UVU Office of Admissions, USHE, TRIO, GearUP, Concurrent Enrollment, and other stakeholders. Prepare regular reports on Title IV aid, trends, and key performance indicators to executive leadership. Lead financial literacy initiatives to help current students and families understand the financial aid process, repayment obligations, and financial planning.
• Employee Management: This role is responsible for fostering employees' professional development through mentorship, performance feedback, hiring/firing, regular one-on-ones and support while ensuring alignment with UVU goals and culture. Identify individual and team development needs and implement tailored growth plans. Conduct regular performance reviews and give constructive, actionable feedback. Resolve interpersonal conflicts and promote team cohesion. Promote and support employee recognition and reward programs. Manages the customer experience and operation teams' operating budget for travel, personal development, team building, marketing initiatives, and outreach events.
• Partnerships and Financial Aid Initiatives: Oversee the creation of effective campus-wide training of federal student aid for offices such as TRIO, GearUP, Advising, Admissions, and the Student Success Center. Collaborate with USHE and the K- community to provide prospective students and their parents with essential information and support needed to afford college. Cultivate relationships with campus partners to advise on federal policy. Network with the UVU Money Success Center to promote the completion of Federal Exit Loan Counseling for UVU graduates and students who drop below half-time enrollment. \
• Conduct other duties as assigned.

Qualifications / Licenses / Certifications

Graduation from an accredited institution with a bachelors degree plus four years of job-related experience or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience related to the Summary of Duties totaling eight years.

Preferred Qualifications:

Graduation from an accredited institution with a bachelors degree plus four years of job-related experience or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience related to the Summary of Duties totaling eight years.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Knowledge

• Knowledge of federal regulations pertaining to financial aid and scholarships.

• Knowledge of financial aid policies, procedures, and eligibility requirements.

• Knowledge of Banner Financial Aid.

Skills

• Excellent organizational and computer skills with competency in using a variety of electronic tools.

• Effective listening and responding skills with customers (e.g. students, staff, management etc.)

• Superior organizational, multitasking, and problem resolution skills.

• Skills in leading a group of employees to accomplish common departmental and university goals.

Abilities

• Ability to effectively prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.

• Self-starter and ability to effectively prioritize tasks to meet deadlines required.

• Ability to effectively provide expert knowledge, training, and expertise to students, faculty, and staff.

• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.

• Ability to communicate effectively with employees, students, and parents in a professional manner.

• Ability to gain and maintain access to federal student aid databases.

EEO Statement:

UVU employment decisions are made on the basis of an applicant's qualifications and ability to perform the job without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and over), disability, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, or pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or other bases protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Utah Valley University's dedication to exceptional care offers quality service and benefits to employees while staying committed to meeting the needs of a diverse workforce.

UVU is pleased to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that supports employees and their family's overall physical and mental health, protects their income in case of unforeseen illness and life events, and assists in building financial security for retirement and the future.

Highlights from Utah Valley University's benefits package include:

• Medical network and plan options with low employee premiums
• Employer HSA contribution for those that elect the university's High-Deductible Health Plan
• Other tax advantage, reimbursement account options (i.e. Flexible Spending Account & Dependent Care)
• Dental and vision plan options
• Incentivized wellness program
• Employer paid basic life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D), and Long Term Disability (LTD) coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(a) Defined Contribution Plan with an employer contribution of 14.2% based on employee's compensation (100% vested on first day of full-time employment)
• Undergraduate tuition remission benefit waiving up to 18 credit hours (each semester) for employees and their eligible dependents (spouses & children dependents unmarried and up to age 26)
• Generous leave package which includes sick, vacation (staff only), and personal leave; 13 paid holidays; paid medical maternity and parental leave

For more information about the benefits offered, visit https://www.uvu.edu/peopleandculture/benefits.

01

Do you meet the required qualifications as outlined: Graduation from an accredited institution with a bachelors degree plus four years of job-related experience or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience related to the Summary of Duties totaling eight years?

• Yes
• No

02

What is your highest level of education?

• High School or equivalent
• Associates
• Bachelors
• Masters
• Ph.D.
• Ph.D. (abd)
• Juris Doctorate

03

How many years of experience do you have in this type of position?

• <1
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8+

Required Question

Employer Utah Valley University

Address 800 W. University Parkway

Orem, Utah, 84058

Phone Applicant Support 855-524-5627

Website http://www.uvu.edu