Job Description / Duties

Reporting to the Associate University Registrar (Student Awards), the Director, Financial Aid is responsible for the strategic planning, oversight and effective delivery of Queen’s financial aid programs administered by the Office of the University Registrar (Student Awards) in support of strategic initiatives and priorities of Queen’s University.

The incumbent will manage and provide leadership to all staff responsible for administering Queen’s admission and in-course need and merit-based financial aid programs and will be accountable to ensure full compliance with government regulated policies, complete adherence to terms of reference for Queen’s established awards and to ensure Queen’s financial aid budget plans are achieved and delivery of services and programs reflect Queen’s strategic priorities.

The incumbent will collaborate and provide recommendations to a wide range of stakeholders, including Faculty/School administrators, Undergraduate Admission and Recruitment, Records and Services and external financial assistance partners to maintain and enhance the delivery of financial aid programs. The incumbent will be responsible for developing and fostering external partner relationships, which may include financial aid stakeholders, donors, funders, university partnerships and government sponsored initiatives. To achieve these objectives, the incumbent must possess strong skills in project management, policy development/interpretation, risk analysis and strategic decision making.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Oversee, and provide management direction for the administrative functioning and processing of all need-based and merit-based financial aid programs administered by the Office of the University Registrar (Student Awards). This includes planning and execution of all activities related to all Queen’s scholarships, bursaries, awards and work-study, to ensure delivery of seamless integrated service to all clients.
• Recommend and manage resource allocations. This includes developing comprehensive annual and longer-term business plans, aligned with University objectives.
• Oversee and monitor all aspects of over 1600 financial aid accounts and analyze progress, ensuring compliance with financial best practices at the University, and with the terms of the associated award.
• Manage a rigorous decision-making process related to the administration of need-based and donor funded awards, ensuring alignment with government funding requirements (Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), out of province, and US Federal loans) and the specific terms of donor agreements. Reviews and recommends revisions to terms of donor agreements, as required.
• Accountable for fund disbursement amongst faculties/schools, based on student enrolment and level of financial need. Manage and oversee the administration of scholarship awards based on academic merit, coordinating with faculties/schools, as required.
• Plan, implement and evaluate administrative and program policies, procedures and practices in support of the University goals and priorities, and to determine where improvements can be made to enhance client services and to simplify and improve efficiencies.
• Identify, develop and maintain relationships with key partners, including internal and external stakeholders, agencies, governmental and non-governmental organizations, involved with financial aid.
• Liaise and communicate with Undergraduate Admission and Recruitment to disseminate information and coordinate the offer of admission with the offer of student financial assistance.
• Work collaboratively with the leadership team in Undergraduate Admission and Recruitment, to evaluate and recommend how best to utilize admission scholarships and bursary funds, to assist the university in successfully meeting its strategic enrolment objectives.
• Develop appropriate measurement criteria and evaluate statistical results; develop performance metrics to ensure financial aid targets support strategic enrolment initiatives.
• Develop, implement and evaluate business processes and procedures, ensuring compliance with government regulations related to financial aid. This includes the development and presentation of formal recommendations, providing analysis of options, resource estimates and risk/benefit analysis with the objective to facilitate effective financial aid decisions.
• Collaborate with university partners in the faculties/schools and other administrative departments to recommend and influence change to policies and procedures related to financial aid.
• Lead and manage all information systems development. Produce and prepare formal recommendations and reports for systems and business process changes and improvements as business requirements evolve (includes but not limited to; report definition, application configuration and rules definition, workflow process, system maintenance, system enhancements/updates etc.).
• Collaborate with Senior Awards Officer, Donor Relations and Secretary of the Senate Committee on Scholarships and Student Aid, to make recommendations and provide proactive leadership in the establishment/revision of terms of reference for new/revised awards to ensure flexibility and long-term sustainability in administration of donor-funded awards.
• Plan, prioritize and manage the work of employees, providing strategic and tactical advice, guidance and coaching. Identify the need for staff resources, participate on staffing committees, and make effective recommendation regarding employee selection.
• Manage performance by establishing employee performance standards, reviewing and evaluating performance and conducting formal performance reviews on an ongoing basis.
• Assess staff training and development needs and ensure employees receive training required to improve and sustain successful performance.
• Investigate, address and resolves employee/labour relations issues, including disciplinary matters. Make decisions or effective recommendations on matters involving possible discipline, discharge, and probationary termination.
• Prepare reports and briefings as required.
• Represent Student Awards in discussions on various university-wide issues and policy formulation. Serve on committees as a representative of Student Awards.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Associate University Registrar (Student Awards), in support of the department.

Qualifications / Required Skills

• A University degree and a minimum of 5 years of experience in a leadership role, including managing and directing staff.
• Extensive background and knowledge of financial aid regulations and policies and strong understanding of student financials.
• Knowledge of PeopleSoft Student modules an asset, in particular, Financial Aid, Campus Community, Admission, Reporting and Student Financials.
• Demonstrated experience developing proposals and project plans, including measurement criteria.
• Consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Information

SPECIAL SKILLS:
• Respects diversity and promotes inclusion in the workplace.
• Highly developed leadership skills, ability to motivate and inspire employees and develop a shared vision to lead a team to excellence.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including consultation and negotiation skills.
• Strong interpersonal and diplomacy skills as well as strong intercultural communication skills.
• Demonstrable ability to develop and implement financial aid strategies that are targeted and measurable, to evaluate their effectiveness and recommend and implement change.
• Ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to coordinate and lead the execution of activities efficiently and effectively. Must be creative and willing to develop and implement new ideas and innovate approaches to set and meet objectives.
• Advanced analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to adapt to and implement new technologies. Experience harnessing and leveraging technology.
• Advanced computer skills for data analysis and information distribution/reporting; knowledge of the following (or equivalent) software is required: Microsoft Excel and PeopleSoft Student, in particular, Financial Aid, Campus Community, Admission, Reporting and Student Financials.
• Self-motivated with an ability to take initiative and responsibility for projects from beginning to completion.
• Values individual differences from all backgrounds and lived experiences such that their own, and others’ contributions are maximized; supports fair treatment and opportunity for all; demonstrates commitment to diversity and equity.

DECISION MAKING:
• Determine business and operating plans, and best strategies to manage and administer University financial aid programs and meet the University’s goals and objectives.
• Identify opportunities for business improvement and provide recommendations for changes, including introduction of new policies, procedures, processes, system development and reporting mechanisms, to best address the needs of multiple stakeholders and achievement of financial aid objectives.
• Determine the most appropriate means of collecting, retrieving, analyzing and presenting data and information.
• Determine communication and action plans to effectively implement initiatives.
• Prioritize own work and work of team members in accordance with evolving and/or competing priorities. Determine appropriate assignment of resources, evaluate progress, assist in solving problems and suggest direction that will enable effective delivery of financial aid programs.
• Resolve problems and decide when to refer inquiries or problems to others, ensuring background information is provided.
• Determine best strategies to build the necessary internal and external relationships required for success in the role.
• Evaluate job candidates and make effective recommendation on suitable hires.
• Make decisions and/or effective recommendations regarding transfers and promotions.
• Evaluate employee performance and decide on appropriate training or coaching to address lack of proficiency in carrying out responsibilities, or remedial action for staff disciplinary situations.
• Assess investigation outcome of grievances and make effective recommendations on appropriate course of action or next steps on grievances.
• Make effective recommendations on level of discipline up to discharge and probationary termination.

Salary: $83,000 - $105,800/year

Contact Information

APPLICANTS PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW:
https://clients.njoyn.com/CL4/xweb/xweb.asp?clid=74827&page=jobdetails&jobid=J0121-1283&BRID=EX191964&SBDID=1&LANG=1

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