Assistant Director – Verification

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Provide leadership and supervision for federal Title IV verification and eligibility operations within the Financial Aid department.

• Act as a subject-matter expert on federal verification requirements, FAFSA/ISIR review, eligibility resolution, compliance standards, and associated financial aid systems.

• Oversee, train, mentor, and assess assigned staff; set performance expectations and offer feedback and professional development opportunities.

• Monitor productivity, processing accuracy, workloads, performance metrics, priorities, and resource distribution.

• Create and present training on verification, federal eligibility requirements, regulatory updates, procedures, quality standards, and financial aid systems.

• Assist with internal and external audits, compliance assessments, and federal program reviews; provide documentation and implement corrective measures.

• Analyze processing volumes, trends, error rates, and operational data to identify areas for process enhancements, automation, workload management, and improved student service.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to streamline verification processes, reduce administrative burdens, enhance processing timelines, strengthen compliance, and improve student experiences.

• Ensure confidentiality and the proper handling of student financial information in accordance with FERPA and relevant privacy and data-security regulations.

• Offer operational leadership for Title IV verification and eligibility processes to guarantee accurate, timely, and compliant financial aid eligibility decisions.

• Oversee and manage verification processing activities, workloads, and queues in alignment with service expectations, institutional priorities, and federal deadlines.

• Resolve intricate verification and Title IV eligibility challenges, including FAFSA/ISIR discrepancies, conflicting information, citizenship and eligible noncitizen requirements, C-codes, rejected ISIRs, and federal database matches.

• Interpret and apply federal Title IV regulations, guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, and institutional policies.

• Lead the implementation of operational, procedural, system, and training adjustments arising from updated federal requirements.

• Supervise verification and eligibility policies, procedures, business processes, documentation standards, and training resources.

• Establish quality-control and internal-control processes; review findings, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.

• Maintain comprehensive and auditable student records for verification decisions, corrections, eligibility determinations, and adjustments.

• Oversee annual verification operational readiness, including aid-year preparation, requirement reviews, system configuration, and staff training.

• Collaborate with Systems and technology partners on financial aid system functionalities, testing, validation, and implementation.

• Partner with Compliance, Financial Aid Student Services, Student Business Services, Systems, Enrollment Services, and other university departments to resolve complex challenges.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of relevant experience in the assigned field, including two (2) years of managerial experience; OR any equivalent combination of experience and/or training that provides comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities.

• Experience in leading or overseeing federal Title IV verification, eligibility review, or financial aid compliance processes.

• Knowledge of federal Title IV financial aid programs, verification requirements, FAFSA/ISIR processing, Student Aid Index calculations, and related eligibility regulations.

• Proficiency in federal financial aid systems such as COD, FAFSA Partner Portal, and NSLDS.

• Experience in supervising, training, mentoring, or evaluating staff in a financial aid, enrollment services, compliance, or student services environment.

• Experience in analyzing workloads, processing timelines, quality-control results, or operational data to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and student service.

• Familiarity with developing or maintaining policies, procedures, training materials, documentation standards, or internal controls.

• Ability to interpret complex regulations, resolve conflicting information, and communicate requirements effectively to staff and campus partners.

• Knowledge of FERPA and privacy requirements related to student financial information.

• Strong written, verbal, critical-thinking, problem-solving, and customer-service abilities.

• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in federal eligibility/verification processes.

• Must successfully complete pre-employment screening, including a criminal background check and fingerprint check.

🏝️ Benefits

• Reduced tuition for employees, their spouses, and dependents.

• Competitive rates for health and life benefits.

• Wellness program.

• Disability and leave program.

• Paid holidays.

• Retirement programs.

• Relocation resources.