Project Lead & Senior Financial Aid Consultant

The Project Lead and Senior Financial Aid Consultant will provide strategic leadership and expert guidance to higher education institutions seeking to optimize their Title IV financial aid compliance and student success outcomes. This role includes overseeing internal financial aid team members across a range of roles and projects, while ensuring effective communication and coordination.

The consultant will partner closely with institutional leadership to design and implement higher ed financial aid strategies that align with institutional goals for college access and retention, while ensuring adherence to federal and state aid programs. This includes supporting financial aid optimization, financial aid audit preparation, and the delivery of targeted financial aid training and development for staff.

Additionally, the Project Lead will support broader enrollment management support functions, providing interim enrollment management staffing, leadership on compliance initiatives, and cross-functional collaboration. The role also includes financial aid technology consultant services and ongoing support for student information systems as a student information systems consultant.

This position is ideal for professionals with a proven track record in financial aid team leadership and a deep understanding of how to align student success and financial aid efforts with broader institutional goals.

You’ll find more information about this opportunity below, and if you’re interested we invite you to reach out to introduce yourself.

Position Title:

Project Lead and Senior Financial Aid Consultant

Reporting Line:

This position reports to the CFO. 

Position Summary
The Project Lead and Senior Financial Aid Consultant will provide strategic leadership and expert guidance to higher education institutions. This role will also involve managing internal financial aid team members across various roles and projects. The consultant will work closely with institutional leadership to develop and implement effective financial aid strategies, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations while supporting student success, access, retention, and graduation. Additionally, the Project Lead and Senior Financial Aid Consultant will assist the broader enrollment management teams, providing interim staffing support, team management, compliance guidance, and maintenance and support for student information systems, as needed.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Planning

    • Lead and manage financial aid consulting services, offering strategic advice and solutions to institutions on a wide range of financial aid topics.

    • Develop, implement, and optimize financial aid policies, procedures, and programs that align with institutional goals and regulatory requirements.

    • Analyze financial aid data and trends to provide actionable insights that support student enrollment, retention, and success.

  • Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

    • Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations governing financial aid programs, including Title IV, state grants, and institutional scholarships.

    • Advise institutions on risk mitigation strategies related to financial aid administration, audit preparedness, and program reviews.

  • Consulting & Client Relations

    • Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders at higher client institutions, including senior administration, enrollment management, and student affairs.

    • Provide expert consulting services in areas such as financial aid strategy, assessment, technology integration and system optimization, staff training, and process improvements.

    • Lead workshops, seminars, and training sessions to enhance institutional knowledge and effectiveness in managing financial aid programs both internally and externally, with clients and in professional development opportunities.

  • Team Leadership & Development

    • Lead a team of financial aid consultants, providing mentorship, professional development, and performance management to ensure the delivery of high-quality services.

    • Foster a collaborative and supportive environment, promoting continuous improvement and innovation in financial aid operations.

  • Budget & Resource Management

    • Oversee budget planning and resource allocation for financial aid programs, ensuring efficient use of funds and alignment with institutional priorities.

      • Support the implementation of financial aid models to assist institutions in planning for future needs.

  • Staff Travel 

    • Willingness to travel regularly (i.e., up to 40% of the time) for client and prospective client engagements and industry related activities, such as professional conferences.

Qualifications:

  • Education

    • Bachelor’s degree required. A Master’s degree in Higher Education, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field is preferred.. 

    • Financial Aid Administrator Certification (FAAC) is preferred.

  • Experience

    • A minimum of 7-10 years of experience in financial aid administration, with at least 5 years in a leadership or consulting role at a director level or higher preferred.

    • Extensive knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations, policies, and best practices.

    • Successful at managing financial aid programs, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing student access to financial resources.

    • Successful management of teams and staff supervision.

  • Skills & Abilities

    • Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with senior leadership and staff at all levels.

    • Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders and explain complex financial aid concepts in an accessible manner.

    • Ability to analyze data and generate reports to inform decision-making.

    • Proficiency in financial aid management systems, data analysis tools, such as Excel, SQL. and Office software.

    • Strong problem-solving, analytical, and organizational skills.

    • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present data insights to non-technical stakeholders.

    • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, client-focused environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.