Job Details

Are you ready to transform lives through academic excellence, innovative research, strong community partnerships and economic opportunity? Kennesaw State University is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. With growing enrollment and global reach, we continue to expand our institutional influence and prominence beyond the state of Georgia. We offer more than 190 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to empower over 50,000 students to become thought leaders, lifelong learners, and informed global citizens. Our entrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division I athletics draw students from throughout the region and from more than 100 countries across the globe. Our university's vibrant culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability make us an employer of choice. We are part of the University System of Georgia. We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision. Come Take Flight at KSU!

(Primary Location for Job Responsibilities) Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144.

Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.

The Associate Vice President of Financial Aid and Scholarships is the institutions chief financial aid officer. This position plans, administers, and leads a comprehensive aid program. each year. This includes all federal, state, institutional and private aid, with the goal of making sure every eligible student receives the full support available, on time and in accordance with all applicable regulations.

As the institution's chief compliance officer for Title IV federal aid, this position works closely with state and national agencies. The AVP shapes strategies for student access and success and helps the institution meet its enrollment and retention goals. This position oversees a team of professional staff and partners closely with campus leaders.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Plans and directs the personnel, financial and operational activities of the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid

2. Recruit, develop and retain a high-performing, diverse staff, with ongoing training and a culture of accountability and student-centered service. Formulates and applies research to develop a multi-year strategic plan and aid policies and programs that support recruitment, retention, and completion goals

3. Advocates for federal, state, and institutional funding for students and assess how policies, proposals, and legislation affect students

4. Holds ultimate responsibility for compliance with federal, state, University, NCAA and donor laws and regulations including Title IV.

5. Oversees compliance with NCAA financial aid rules in partnership with Athletics Compliance, including review and approval of athletics aid and ensuring that all outside aid awarded to student-athletes is vetted by Athletics Compliance

6. Serves as the University's primary contact with the U.S. Department of Education, the State of Georgia and other external groups for information and problem resolution related to student financial aid

7. Represents the Office to senior administrators, auditors, and lead responses to program reviews and audits.

8. Maintains current policies and procedures, and safeguards student data in line with FERPA, GLBA, HEA, and institutional security standards.

9. Lead controls to detect and prevent fraudulent applications and identity fraud, partnering with IT security, Admissions, the Bursar, the Registrar and fraud task forces.

10. Directs the foundation scholarship program, and partner with Advancement to grow endowments and make sure donor funds are fully and correctly awarded

11. Oversee the full aid cycle, including application processing, verification, packaging, disbursement, R2T4, SAP and professional judgment.

12. Set service standards to accommodate changing needs of the university and students, coordinating closely with the Bursar, Registrar and Admissions.

13. Monitors the expenditure of state, federal, private and University funds to ensure fiscally sound program administration and full use of available funds

14. Manages the Office's operating budget and an aid portfolio of more than $435 million annually, including federal fund reconciliation and aid forecasting

15. Designs year-end reports on aid distribution patterns

16. Approves all financial aid reporting to external organizations and national surveys before submission.

17. Identifies technical solutions that streamline aid applications, review, disbursement and reporting, and works closely with Enterprise IT Systems to implement them. and reporting requirements

18. Uses data to measure the impact of aid on access, persistence and completion, and to close equity gaps.

19. Oversees and approves all Office communications, including print, media, and web content and format.

20. Leads outreach, financial literacy and loan counseling programs that help students and families understand aid and borrow responsibly.

Educational Requirements
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in accounting, business administration or a related field is required.

Other Required Qualifications
NASFAA Professional Certification or must be able to obtain certification within the first year of employment

Required Experience
Ten (10) or more years of management in financial aid, scholarships and compliance in an institution of higher education, including five (5) years of management at an institution of higher education with a student population of more than 30,000

Preferred Educational Qualifications
An advanced degree in higher education, business administration or related field

Preferred Experience
Record of compliance with institutional, state and federal guidelines related to the administration of student financial aid
Demonstrated experience in implementing technological innovations in financial aid

The salary range is up to $165,000. Offers are based on relevant experience. Comprehensive benefits to include Medical, Dental, Vision, 13 paid holidays, vacation, generous retirement plans, tuition waiver, wellness options and much more! Visit hr.kennesaw.edu/benefits.

ABILITIES
Proven ability to lead complex financial aid operations, develop high-performing teams, and deliver exceptional student-centered services
Able to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time meeting assigned deadlines
Mature judgement in handling sensitive and confidential information.

KNOWLEDGE
Comprehensive knowledge of financial aid regulations and compliance

SKILLS
Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management and presentation skills
Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite)
Strong attention to detail and follow up skills
Strong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.

For additional information or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, eeo@kennesaw.edu, or by making a report at the following website: https://diversity-kennesaw-advocategme.symplicity.com/public_report/index.php/pid734945?.

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.

For additional information on this policy, or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, eeo@kennesaw.edu.

This is a supervisory position.
This position has financial responsibilities.
This position will not be required to drive.
This role is considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position may travel 1% - 24% of the time

• Credit Report
• Standard Enhanced
• Education

Per the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for positions of trust with screening results which confirm a disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified from employment eligibility

All applicants are required to include professional references as part of their application process. Some positions may require additional job-based screenings such as motor vehicle report, credit check, pre-employment drug screening and/or verification of academic credentials.

https://www.usg.edu/hr/assets/hr/hrap_manual/HRAP_Background_Investigation_Employment.pdf