The posting
Position Summary:
Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment, the Director of Financial Aid provides leadership for all aspects of awarding eligible students financial aid and scholarships. The Director oversees all administrative functions related to compliance with both public and private regulatory bodies, manages the financial aid/scholarship process, and ensures excellent customer service to students, faculty and staff. The Director is a vital member of university committees, gathering and reporting on pertinent data in order to communicate the financial aid and scholarship impact on recruitment and enrollment. The Director is a key member of the Enrollment Management staff, and frequently interacts with Admissions, Advising, Athletics, Human Resources, Graduate Studies, Title V, Registrar, Student Services, Faculty, and Finance Departments.
Specific Job Duties:
- Develops and directs financial aid strategies within the framework of federal and state regulations that are consistent with the enrollment management objectives of the University.
- Develops, recommends and implements university policies, procedures and methods to coordinate financial aid functions within the university.
- Provides transformational leadership by hiring, supervising, and developing a productive and effective staff including, administrative, professional, student and clerical support personnel.
- Maintains familiarity with laws and regulations related to financial aid. Disseminates information to appropriate personnel and directs training to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state and institutional regulations. Responsible for all financial aid audits and reporting.
- Counsels students and family members on various aspects of financial aid programs and facilitates the application process.
- Conducts financial aid seminars and markets the availability of financial aid to various groups and individuals to promote enrollment in the university.
- Serves as data governance subject matter expert for the department and is responsible for definitions, processes and procedures, quality, accuracy and maintenance.
- Part of the university's Strategic Enrollment Management and Retention team.
- Coordinate with the Office Student Business Services, Adams State Foundation, Office of Student Affairs, Office of Academic Affairs, and Records to facilitate the financial aid process.
- Responsible for the annual audit process of Title IV, State and Institutional funds.
- Stay abreast of all Federal, State and college financial aid policies and procedures and maintain compliance with regulations and guidelines for all Federal and State Funds.
- Prepare reports required by Federal and State agencies regarding the use of financial aid awards.
- Supervises administrative and classified staff.
- Responsible for daily exchange of electronic information through the use of the institutionally integrated software system (WorkDay) and supporting software (i.e. EDConnect, SAIG, COD, NSLDS and CPS). And investigates, analyzes and resolves complex individual student cases regarding discrepant data and/or matters pertaining to the student accounts.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Higher Education Administration, or a related fieldMaster's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Higher Education Administration, or a related field preferred
- Five years of progressive experience in higher education financial aid administration, with a minimum of two years in a supervisory or management capacity
- Ability to communicate effectively with students, parents, school officials and federal and state agencies.
- Strong analytical, leadership, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
- Advanced knowledge of awarding and delivery of financial aid funds.
- Experience working with a variety of state agencies to deliver funding to qualified students
The salary range for this position is $76,400-$107,000. In addition to salary, Adams State University offers a competitive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and retirement savings plans. For detailed benefits information please visit our Human Resources Benefits Page.
How to Apply:
All interested candidates must submit application materials electronically through Adams State University’s Workday application portal.
No other format of application material will be accepted.
Completed applications include the following:
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Unofficial transcripts (official transcripts will be necessary at the time of appointment)
- Three professional references, including phone number and email for each
For full consideration, applications should be received by 10/30/2026. Review of applications will begin immediately as they are received.
The position will remain open until filled. Applications received after the priority deadline may be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee.
Questions about the position may be directed to Mark Buck at [email protected]
Adams State University is committed to building and expanding the talent of its professional staff and actively seeks qualified applicants who bring unique perspectives, experiences, skills, and attributes that can augment the perspectives of our current faculty and staff and can contribute to serving and preparing our students to engage and thrive in their learning, leadership, and service.
We strive to create a more representative workforce that mirrors the people who study, work, and lead our institution and welcome applications from candidates from all walks of life, especially members of communities who fall within state and federally protected classes such as: women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities.
We value qualified candidates, with varied language skills, who have a record of successful experience with varied communities and student populations, and who have a deep understanding of and commitment to the unique geographical and historical characteristics of the place we are situated in and the intersecting perspectives that define our university being a low-income, first-generation, and Hispanic-serving, rural anchor university. Therefore, we seek individuals committed to intentionally supporting students and colleagues who possess these characteristics through their teaching, service, and scholarship.
The successful candidate will join a campus that is dedicated to inclusive excellence and acknowledges Adams State’s purpose to foster the educational goals of its students and the well-being of the surrounding community.
Additional information about the university and the academic mission may be found at www.adams.edu/academics/
Disclosures:
In compliance with the Immigration Control Act of 1968 candidates for positions must provide proof of eligibility to work before an offer of employment can be made final.
Adams State University is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its students, faculty, staff and visitors, and to protecting its funds, property and other assets. Well-informed hiring decisions contribute to this effort. Therefore, Adams State University has adopted a policy on background screening for its prospective, continuing, and returning employees as well as students in certain circumstances. Offers of employment will be contingent upon the completion of an acceptable background check. The information received in response to a background check will be treated as confidential to the extent provided for by law.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Adams State University (ASU) may be directed to ASU's Office of Equal Opportunity, and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education. Support resources for sexual misconduct, ASU's sexual misconduct policies, contact information for the Adams State University's Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX, as well as a detailed procedure for filing a grievance due to discrimination on the basis of sex may be found online at https://www.adams.edu/administration/oeo/reporting-sexual-harassment/. These procedures also describe the University's response to reports and/or complaints of sex discrimination or sexual harassment.
Adams State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Applications are sought from all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, disability, and, as covered by law, veteran status. In addition, University policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation including transgender status and gender expression, marital status, and parental status.
