Executive Director, Financial Aid

Job Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Financial Aid, The Executive Director of Financial Aid provides strategic leadership, regulatory oversight, and operational direction for the institution’s comprehensive financial aid programs. This role ensures the accurate, equitable, and timely administration of federal, state, institutional, and private financial assistance while maintaining full compliance with all applicable regulations and governing agencies.

Serving as the institution’s senior authority on financial aid policy and administration, the Executive Director aligns financial aid strategy with enrollment goals, student success priorities, and long-term institutional financial sustainability. The position leads a team of financial aid professionals and collaborates across academic and administrative units to advance access, affordability, retention, and student persistence.

The Executive Director safeguards the institution’s eligibility for federal and state funding, oversees the stewardship of millions of dollars in student aid resources, and mitigates regulatory and financial risk. This role is essential to enrollment stability, compliance integrity, and the overall financial health of the institution, directly supporting student access and educational success.

Essential Functions

• Advise senior leadership on financial aid trends, regulatory changes, and the impact of aid policy on institutional objectives.
• Represent Financial Aid in institutional planning, enrollment management strategy, and budget discussions.
• Serve as the institution’s primary authority on federal Title IV, state aid, and institutional aid regulations.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and accrediting agency requirements, including:
  • Return of Title IV (R2T4) o Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
  • Professional Judgment
  • Verification
  • Consumer information disclosures
• Lead audit, program review, and reporting processes; implement corrective actions as needed.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce institutional financial aid policies and procedures.
• Oversee all financial aid processing functions including awarding, disbursement, reconciliation, and reporting.
• Ensure efficient use of financial aid systems and technology to maintain service quality and operational accuracy.
• Monitor workflow, service levels, and performance metrics to ensure timely aid delivery.
• Ensure policies and practices support equitable access to financial aid.
• Manage institutional aid budgets and monitor fund utilization.
• Ensure accurate reconciliation of federal, state, and institutional funds.
• Oversee appeals, special circumstances, and complex student aid cases.
• Provide reports and analytics to leadership regarding aid distribution, compliance risk, and student impact.
• Provide direct supervision and leadership to directors, managers, and financial aid staff.
• Support staff development through training, mentoring, and succession planning.
• Ensure cross-training and operational continuity, and continuous process improvements.
• Work closely with Admissions, Bursar, Drexel Central, Registrar, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Finance.
• Serve as a resource to campus departments regarding scholarship and student funding.
• Represent the institution in professional associations and external regulatory forums.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree or the equivalent combination of education and work experience. (Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.)
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration.
• Extensive knowledge of federal Title IV regulations and financial aid compliance.
• Demonstrated experience managing financial aid operations and staff.
• Strong analytical, financial management, and data interpretation skills.
• Experience with Ellucian Banner Financial Aid.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree.
• Ability to lead through regulatory change and institutional transformation.
• Collaborative leadership.
• Strong communication and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed (throughout the year) to support Admissions events.

Location

• Hybrid/Flexible Work Arrangement

Additional Information

This position is classified as Exempt, grade O. Compensation for this grade ranges from $108,330 - $162,490 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel’s compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel’s Benefits Brochure.

Special Instructions to the Applicant

Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.