Position Overview
The Director of Financial Aid is responsible for the effective administration of financial aid operations, loan default management, and student account activities. This role ensures full compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies while fostering a student-centered experience that supports retention, academic progress, and success. Reporting to senior leadership, the Director oversees financial aid delivery and operational excellence, leads a high-performing team, provides guidance to students and families on financial options, and collaborates cross-functionally with campus departments and external agencies. Pay Range: $80-95K Location: Lisle, IL What We Offer: - Competitive Insurance: Health, vision, and dental coverage for you and your dependents - Health Plan Enrollment: Eligibility starts first of the month following completing one full month of employment - Paid Time Off: Competitive paid time off programs for employees (Vacation, Sick, Flexible) - Retirement Matching: 50% match on the first 6% of your contributions after 90 days - Paid Parental Leave: 4 weeks of paid leave for both birthing and non-birthing parents to bond with a new baby - Pet Insurance: Competitive coverage for your furry family members through ASPCA - Tuition Waiver: Enjoy a tuition waiver after 6 months of employment for you AND your immediate family offered
What You'll Do
Lead and manage campus financial aid operations, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations
Oversee the financial aid and student account administration of funding programs, including grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study opportunities
Provide financial aid and literacy guidance to students and families throughout the student journey.
Collaborate with Admissions, Student Services, Registrar, and other departments to effectively support students
Drive a culture of integrity and accountability to ensure compliance with internal policies and external agency regulations
Focus on increasing student satisfaction through streamlined and effective financial aid operations
Continually improve operational efficiencies to ensure accuracy and compliance with all regulations
Prioritize optimizing delivery mechanisms to support seamless financial aid processing and administration
Facilitate regular, meaningful two-way communication to achieve productive agreement and solution by defining objectives, addressing issues, and removing potential obstacles for all parties
Determine trends and key metrics to evaluate effectiveness of initiatives and support to business goals and adjust strategies accordingly
Identify complex problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
Establish/maintain a high performance team of professional, motivated and engaged staff utilizing effective training, performance management and career-development activities while leading them to achieve established business results and performance metrics
Recognizes and rewards employee contributions and achievements
Other duties as assigned
What You'll Bring
Education / Experience
Licenses / Certifications
NASFAA credentials or Title IV-related certifications (preferred)
Valid state issued driver's license (required)
Education / Experience
HS diploma/GED and a minimum of 10 years professional experience in a post-secondary education setting - or - Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business, or related field and a minimum of six (6) years professional experience in a post-secondary education setting (required)
Master’s degree(preferred)
Minimum five (5) years of supervisory/leadership experience in financial aid operations (preferred)
Minimum five (5) years’ experience administering Title IV financial aid programs (preferred)
Title IV Proprietary Education Experience (required)
Must not be in default on any Federal Student Loans and must remain in good standing while employed (required)
Skills
Advanced knowledge of federal/state funding programs, including Title IV, Veterans Affairs, and institutional aid
Proficient in financial aid systems and student information systems (e.g., Ellucian, Anthology, CampusVue)
Independently manage complex tasks and projects
Coach and mentor junior team members
Analyze problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions
Present ideas in a compelling and structured format to diverse audiences
Demonstrate refined listening skills and emotional intelligence
Facilitate training sessions and cross-functional meetings
Drive consistent results in a fast-paced environment
Leverage enterprise-level tools and systems to streamline processes
Create new and better ways for the organization to succeed
Develop people to achieve their goals and support organizational success
Navigate complex policies, processes, and organizational dynamics with ease
Operate effectively in uncertainty and ambiguity
Work independently, escalating complex or high-impact issues
Drive innovation to improve organizational success
Develop others to achieve individual and organizational goals
Navigate complex organizational dynamics with confidence
Perform effectively amid uncertainty and ambiguity
Standard Abilities
Able And Willing To
- Communicate, think, learn, and reason
- Use computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to process transactions, store documents, enter data, or perform assigned tasks
- Safely ambulate and/or maneuver when on-site at Company locations
- Demonstrate and utilize active listening, inductive reasoning, information ordering and category flexibility
Ability to use good judgment, problem-solving and decision-making skills
Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information with discretion
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment where deadlines are essential and multiple projects are worked simultaneously
Ability to gain, understand and apply information and data as it relates essential functions of the position
Ability to foster long-term relationships with stakeholders
About Us
Universal Technical Institute, Inc. is a national leader in workforce solutions for transportation, skilled trades and healthcare/dental. Across our two brands, Universal Technical Institute (UTI) and Concorde Career Colleges, we share a common purpose: to prepare students for careers in high-demand fields. Just as we invest in our students’ futures, we invest in our people by creating opportunities to grow, contribute and build rewarding careers while making a lasting difference in the lives of students, employers and the communities we serve.
