Director of Financial Aid

Located in Boston’s historic Fenway area, Simmons University has a strong tradition of empowering women and challenging traditional gender roles. Simmons was founded for equality 125 years ago as one of the first higher education institutions dedicated to helping women become leaders. Today, our university continues to grow and evolve and now offers Boston’s only women’s undergraduate program and graduate programs open to all. 

You’re joining our community at an especially exciting time as we continue to innovate for the future. Simmons recently launched a six-school academic structure that leverages our expert faculty and longstanding expertise in professions that make our communities stronger. In addition, we continue to highlight our high-value education proposition that is delivering greater ROI to students and putting them on the fast track to career growth and success. You’ll find that people who work here truly believe in our mission of preparing students to become social justice-oriented leaders who excel in their professions and their communities. This commitment and pride make for a dynamic workplace.

As a university that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices–at all levels, for all positions–ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum.

JOB SUMMARY 

The Director of Financial Aid provides strategic and operational leadership for the University’s financial aid programs and services. The Director ensures compliant, accurate and timely administration of federal, state and institutional aid; stewards financial aid resources in support of affordability, enrollment, student success and access; and leads a knowledgeable, service-oriented financial aid team. 

As the University’s principal financial aid subject matter expert and a member of the enrollment leadership team, the Director advises senior leaders, translates regulatory and policy changes into institutional action, and works across the University to create a coordinated and understandable student financial experience. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. 

• Lead the Office of Financial Aid, including staff supervision, workload and performance management, professional development, succession planning, service standards and achievement of departmental and institutional priorities.

• Oversee the accurate and timely administration of all federal, state and institutional financial aid programs for new and continuing undergraduate and graduate students, including application review, awarding, verification, professional judgment, disbursement, reconciliation, satisfactory academic progress and return of Title IV funds and reconciliation of conflicting information. 

• Serve as the University’s principal authority for financial aid compliance; maintain policies, procedures, internal controls, appropriate segregation of duties, records and reporting; monitor regulatory changes; and lead preparation for and responses to audits, program reviews and other federal and state requirements. 

• Manage financial aid resources and planning, including development and monitoring of the annual aid budget, cost of attendance, packaging and awarding policies (in partnership with financial aid partner), forecasting and analysis of expenditures, fund reconciliation, and recommendations regarding institutional aid and scholarship strategy in support of enrollment and financial objectives.

• Provide institutional leadership with timely financial aid analysis and advice, including the enrollment, financial, operational and student implications of regulatory changes, aid policies, market conditions and awarding strategies. 

• Oversee financial aid systems, technology, reporting and data integrity, including PowerFAIDS and applicable federal and state systems; ensure timely and accurate required submissions and reconciliations, appropriate access and configuration, security, testing, documentation and continuous improvement, in partnership with Information Technology and other campus partners. 

• Partner with Admissions, Student Accounts, the Registrar, Finance, Academic Affairs, Information Technology, Institutional Research, the One Stop Center for Enrollment Student Services, Military and Veteran Services and other campus offices to coordinate services, resolve complex student issues and remove financial barriers to enrollment and persistence. 

• Ensure a student-centered financial aid experience through clear, timely and accessible communications, counseling, financial-literacy and borrowing education and service that help students and families understand eligibility, costs, available resources, loan obligations and their responsibilities; oversee related default-prevention and borrower-support efforts. 

• Collaborate with Advancement, Finance and academic units in the administration, stewardship and reporting of institutional, endowed and donor-supported scholarship funds. 

• Represent the University with government agencies, auditors, professional associations and external partners; maintain current professional knowledge and ensure that University leadership and relevant campus partners understand emerging financial aid risks and opportunities. 

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Participate in enrollment planning, retention initiatives, University committees and cross-functional projects as assigned. 

• Represent the Office of Financial Aid at selected recruitment, admitted student and other University events, providing financial aid information and support to prospective and continuing students and their families.

• Maintain business continuity and emergency preparedness for critical financial aid operations.

• Perform other duties as assigned. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. 

• At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in higher education financial aid administration, including experience leading staff and complex operations. 

• Expert knowledge of Title IV and other applicable federal and state financial aid regulations, compliance requirements, fund management and reporting, including experience with federal systems and required submissions such as COD, NSLDS, G5 and FISAP. 

• Demonstrated experience administering financial aid programs across the student lifecycle, including awarding, verification, disbursement, reconciliation, satisfactory academic progress, return of Title IV funds and audit or program review preparation. 

• Demonstrated ability to manage financial aid budgets and institutional aid resources, analyze complex data, identify risk and provide sound recommendations to senior leaders.

• Demonstrated proficiency with PowerFAIDS, including experience using the system to support financial aid administration, compliance, reporting, reconciliation, data integrity and operational problem-solving. 

•  Experience with enterprise financial aid systems, data reporting, systems implementation or optimization, and the controls necessary to maintain data accuracy, privacy and security. 

• Strong supervisory, organizational and change-management skills, with the ability to establish priorities, develop staff and maintain effective operations in a complex and changing environment. 

• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills and the ability to explain complex requirements clearly to students, families, colleagues and senior leaders. 

• Demonstrated commitment to excellence, equitable student service and the needs of students from varied backgrounds. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Master’s degree. 

• Ten or more years of progressively responsible financial aid experience, including leadership of a comprehensive financial aid operation serving undergraduate and graduate students. 

• Advanced PowerFAIDS expertise, including experience with system configuration, complex reporting testing, integrations, troubleshooting and process optimization. 

• Experience with Workday, Slate or comparable higher education systems and with significant systems or process change. 

• Active involvement in regional or national financial aid professional associations and relevant professional credentials or training. 

COMPETENCIES 

• Leadership and staff development= 

• Regulatory and compliance expertise 

• Analytical and strategic thinking 

• Sound judgment and problem solving 

• Operational planning and execution 

• Student-centered service 

• Clear communication and collaboration 

• Change management and continuous improvement 

• Commitment to inclusive excellence and social justice 

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND CONDITIONS PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

• Full-time, 12-month position. This role is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement consistent with University policy and operational needs. 

• Regular on-campus presence is required to lead a student-facing office, collaborate with campus partners, respond to time-sensitive operational or compliance matters and support key enrollment and student-service periods. 

• Work is generally performed in an office environment and requires extended periods of computer use, frequent communication and the ability to move about campus and occasionally lift or carry materials weighing up to 10 pounds.

• Occasional evening or weekend work required during peak enrollment periods, regulatory deadlines, events or emergencies. Limited travel may be required for professional meetings or training. 

In accordance with applicable pay transparency laws effective October 29, 2025, Simmons University is committed to pay equity, transparency and clear communication throughout the hiring process. The hourly or annual salary range for this position is:

This is a benefits-eligible position.

Actual compensation will be based on factors such as experience, education, skills, equity, and external market benchmarks that help guide compensation decisions. Our compensation philosophy is centered around a comprehensive package that includes pay, health benefits, and retirement savings offerings that can be seen here, as well as work-life balance initiatives such as flexible hours and remote work opportunities. We are committed to offering a package that empowers individuals to thrive in their roles, contribute meaningfully, and lead with confidence.

Instructions to Applicants: Please upload all applicable application materials (e.g. resume/cv, cover letter, writing sample, teaching philosophy, etc.) in the Application Materials box on page 2 ("My Experience") of this application. Documents can be uploaded individually or as a combined document (e.g. PDF).

Simmons University is committed to inclusive excellence in all aspects of an individual’s community experience. As a university committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices–at all levels, for all positions–ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum.