Director of Financial Aid

ANNOUNCMENT OF POSITION VACANCY FLSA Status: United States of America (Exempt) Compensation: $90,000.00-120,000.00 Commensurate with education and experience. Excellent health and retirement benefits package: SECTION I - OUR VALUES CULTIVATE OUR VISION AND CULTURE At CMU, we believe in acting from a foundation of goodwill. This belief gives us the courage to form meaningful relationships, embark on joint endeavors and take risks in the pursuit of new possibilities. It’s this courage that enables the Mavily to explore new ways of thinking and doing, knowing that there is no perfect solution, no perfect idea. From this place of humility and courage, we’ve built a culture of resilience. We invest in the future by continuously adapting to change, overcoming challenges, and seizing new opportunities. We recognize that change is constant, and our resilience allows us to embrace it with confidence. Endless curiosity drives us to approach the unexpected as if it were expected, seeing opportunities for discovery and renewal in every challenge. In this community rooted in love and dignity, curiosity thrives, leading to endless opportunities for growth and advancement. Inspired by the soul of the West—the spirit that our region embodies—we emerge as a force for positive change, harnessing our collective power to build a Human Scale University that reflects our values and brings to life our shared vision of the world we aspire to create. Colorado Mesa University Core Values Love - Extending oneself for nurturing the growth of self and others Dignity - Respecting the intrinsic value of each person and believing that others act from a foundation of goodwill Courage - Taking risks in the pursuit of new possibilities Humility - Suspending one’s ego and pride to recognize that no idea is perfect and being open to the input of others Resiliency - Investing in the future by adapting to changes, overcoming challenges and pursuing Opportunity Curiosity - Cultivating awe and exploring the unknown Power - The strength to act collaboratively with individual agency to achieve our goals SECTION II – THE SEAT At CMU, we look at every position as a seat. Every seat is vital and the individual in the seat contributes significantly to our mission of providing an affordable and accessible education and forming meaningful and mutually enriching partnerships that support the well-being and vibrancy of our community. As a human centric organization, a priority is to ensure we have the “right seats” in our organization, and that the expectations, ownership and accountabilities are defined and communicated clearly for the success of the individuals holding the seats. Review of positions will begin June 1. Applications will be accepted until position is filled. OVERVIEW AND ROLE SCOPE OF TEAM AND/OR TASKS OVERVIEW AND ROLE SCOPE OF TEAM AND/OR TASKS The Director of Financial Aid must have a dual passion for student support and data-driven fiscal management. The Director leads a diverse team responsible for awarding and communicating financial aid, managing and programming systems, analyzing data, and collaborating with the CMU Foundation, Athletics, and Student Services to support students and steward limited funds effectively. This leader must navigate complex federal and state laws and regulations while keeping CMU's mission and student needs at the forefront. Financial Aid Operations Ensure effective financial aid counseling, advising, and service delivery to students Lead process improvement initiatives to enhance the student experience, including interdepartmental coordination and problem-solving Conduct task analyses and process reviews to ensure efficient and strategic department operations Oversee communications and systems management, with particular attention to web and electronic communications and the student experience Develop and monitor the office operations budget, institutional financial aid budget, and federal and state financial aid budgets Lead and manage staff Build a positive department culture through recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training, and performance evaluation Support Enrollment Management Contribute to the development of institutional, state and federal financial aid strategy in alignment with enrollment plans Participate in enrollment planning Collaborate with others in student recruiting and yield activities on and off campus Coordina