Job Description / Duties

We currently have an opportunity to join the Laurier community as an Associate Registrar, Financial Aid and Services.
Reporting to the Assistant Vice-President, Enrolment Services & Registrar, and serving as a key member of the Enrolment Services leadership team, the Associate Registrar, Financial Aid & Services is responsible for providing strategic leadership, operational direction and guidance to the Student Awards and Service Laurier units within Enrolment Services. A senior management position with a high degree of responsibility and accountability both at the policy and operational level, the Associate Registrar, Financial Aid & Services has primary responsibility and accountability for the efficient and accurate delivery of a wide range of financial assistance programs inclusive of the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)and the University’s donor supported, University administered scholarship as well as external scholarship programs. The Associate Registrar, Financial Aid & Services will ensure exceptional front-line service delivery to students, staff and faculty within a multi-campus environment.
The Associate Registrar, Financial Aid & Services oversees the development and implementation of Financial Literacy programs for the University and forms key relationships with partners across the campus to ensure effective delivery of these programs. The incumbent provides leadership and advice to senior administration on the appropriate forms of assistance for students and trends in financial assistance in support of institutional priorities for recruitment and retention. The incumbent must be well versed in government policies and direction in order to anticipate and implement changes. The Associate Registrar, Financial Aid & Services must be aware of evolving technologies and demonstrate innovation in updating technology in Student Awards and Service Laurier.
Laurier’s goal is to have the top-performing enrolment services unit in the province and the Associate Registrar, Financial Aid & Services is a key individual in meeting this institutional objective.
This position has a university-wide mandate and is based at the Waterloo Campus. The incumbent provides leadership in a multi-campus environment, requiring regular interaction, communication and collaboration with staff and stakeholders at the Waterloo Campus, Brantford Campus and Toronto office and external partners. The Manager will ensure the unit’s policies, programs and services are delivered equitably across all campuses and reflect the needs of local stakeholders. Regular travel to the Brantford campus is required.

Accountabilities : 1. Scholarship and Awards Programs
Develops and co-ordinates the administration of all aspects of financial aid programs; works closely with the Development Office in the creation of new awards, ensuring compliance with University policy, government regulations and external donors.

Oversees Entrance Bursary and Scholarship program to ensure proper allocation of resources and provides analysis to senior administration on funding trends;

Reconciles with University’s Finance Department on year-end reporting of scholarships and awards provided to students;

Oversees the administration and reporting for all U.S. Department of Education and Veteran Affairs funding programs

Ensures compliance with guidelines of policy and procedure for implementation of the Student Access Guarantee, enforcing the reporting of data to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU);

2. Ontario Student Assistance Program
Liaises with Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) concerning updates to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and other bursary programs which impacts business practices within the Awards Office and ensuring continuance of bursary funding;

Interprets and implements complex governmental policies; establishes strategic direction, objectives and departmental goals;

Interprets policies and directives from MTCU to improve and alter business processing for customer service and ensuring the highest level of accuracy, consistency and compliance with policy in program delivery;


3. Student Services Delivery
Provides direction to the strategic development and implementation (both short and long term) of all ES front-line services to ensure delivery of high quality service to various internal and external stakeholders in support of student success and the mandate of Enrolment Services;

Accountable for the management and delivery of applicable student enrolment services through front line (Service Laurier) to ensure that proactive, customer friendly front line services are provided with the goal of facilitating student success;

Develops systems, policies, practices and procedures to enhance communications and services to students, ensuring that all services are available in the most accessible and efficient manner;

4. Financial Literacy & Student Programming
Accountable for the delivery of Financial Literacy and other programming intended to enhance student success and the mandate of Enrolment Services

Investigates new technologies that aid in the delivery of effective financial literacy programs (including identification of target groups and methods of delivery)

Collaborates with on campus partners in the delivery of student programming

Identifies new opportunities for partnerships both on and off campus to maximize the effectiveness of financial literacy and other student programs

Develops budget and financial aid presentations to campus groups, high schools and others

5. Human Resources and Leadership
Manages the activities of WLUSA staff;
Oversees, guides, mentors, empowers and provides sufficient consultation to ensure that staff meet the goals and expectations of the position;
Provides training
Performs annual performance reviews
Serves as a key member of hiring committees
Manages departmental organizational change
Reviews and revises Student Awards Office procedures; seek out innovative solutions to Student Awards Office issues;
Ensures compliance with applicable employment policies, health and safety policies, practices and legislation;

6. Administrative
Develops and oversees management of Student Awards and Service Laurier budgets;
Serves on University committees and governance bodies providing support and subject matter expertise as required.

Qualifications / Required Skills

Minimum undergraduate degree and at least 5 years related experience in student financial aid and/or relevant leadership experience in an Enrolment Services focused position; demonstrating progressive growth and responsibility

Strong organizational, decision-making and management skills

First-hand knowledge of Banner student records system and other software solutions

Advanced budget management skills

Problem solving skills; ability to analyse and streamline complex processes

Leadership experience with proven success in fostering a collaborative, team-centred environment

Excellent interpersonal, communication and conflict management skills

Knowledge of financial literacy trends, financial aid programs and experience with scholarship selection processes

Salary: $80,128 - $100,160

Contact Information

Please submit a cover letter and resume
Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with the best available candidates who have the appropriate combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Wilfrid Laurier University is committed to equity and values diversity. We welcome applications from qualified individuals of all genders and sexual orientations, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal persons and persons of a visible minority. To obtain a copy of this job description in an accessible format, please contact Human Resources at 519-884-1970 ext.2007.

Employer Profile

At Laurier, we are a community. It’s what brings our students here and what keeps our people here.
As an educational institution, we inspire lives of leadership and purpose in our student community. As an employer, we seek, foster and value the same qualities of leadership and purpose in our employee community.