Director, Evanston Office of Graduate Financial Aid

Department:
Grad Financial Aid Evanston

Salary/Grade: EXS/8

Target hiring range: $95,000-$105,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the University Director of Financial Aid, the Director of the Graduate Financial Aid Evanston Office serves a senior leader within the financial aid organization and acts as the primary manager for graduate financial aid operations on the Evanston campus. In partnership and consultation with the University Director of Financial Aid, this position oversees the daily operations of the graduate financial aid office, ensuring institutional procedures are followed, regulatory deadlines are met, and students and campus partners receive exceptional service.

The Director supervises a team of three and provides oversight, guidance, and support to staff managing a wide range of functions, including federal and private loan processing, institutional aid administration, budget appeals, special circumstance reviews, outside scholarship processing, student advising and support, document intake, and data entry.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership for graduate and professional financial aid operations by setting vision and direction; overseeing staff recruitment, development, and performance management; advising university leadership on complex financial aid and compliance matters; and building strong, collaborative partnerships across graduate schools.

• Oversees financial aid operations for complex graduate and professional program structures, leading process improvements to expand efficiency and service quality; partnering with IT to optimize systems and automation (People Soft, Mach Form, NSC/NSLDS); testing and validating People Soft upgrades to ensure accurate aid processing and communicating updates to staff; and advancing modern communication tools, workflows, and student service delivery.

• Manages graduate funding programs, including grants and loans, by overseeing staff responsible for awarding and disbursing aid; establishing and monitoring program budgets; tracking and reconciling monthly expenditures; ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional requirements; coordinating annual federal reporting with university accounting; and overseeing reconciliation processes for Federal Direct Loans and private loan programs to ensure all funds are accurately accounted for.

• Supports the University Director of Financial Aid in developing and documenting policies and procedures; evaluates and enhances business processes to improve proficiency and effectiveness; contributes to the continuous improvement of office operations; and collaborates with academic departments, the registrar, and student services to streamline support systems, and promote student success.

• Delivers high-quality, personalized financial aid counseling to students, families, and campus partners by providing clear guidance, resolving concerns, and ensuring a supportive and responsive experience.

• Uses data analytics and reporting to evaluate aid utilization and trends in graduate student financial need, partnering with graduate program leadership to develop financial aid strategies that strengthen departmental priorities and increase the competitiveness of graduate programs.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree

• Five years' experience in financial aid

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral

• Ability to work as a leader in the office and member of the team

• Experience in explaining, processing, and reviewing federal financial aid regulations

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree

• Experience in an office that uses People Soft student information system

• Experience in a highly selective, complex institution of higher education

• Experience with Microsoft Office suite

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at  to learn more.

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