Director Compliance, Training, and Student Support

Ensures the institution's compliance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations governing student financial aid programs. Provides strategic leadership for compliance initiatives, develops and maintains policies and procedures, oversees internal audits and risk assessments, and serves as the institution's subject matter expert on regulatory requirements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Provides strategic leadership and oversight of the institution's financial aid compliance program, ensuring alignment with federal, state, accreditor, and institutional requirements
2. Serves as the institution's principal authority on financial aid regulatory matters, interpreting legislative and regulatory changes and advising executive leadership on operational, financial, and compliance impacts
3. Develops and implements a comprehensive compliance framework that promotes accountability, minimizes institutional risk, and ensures adherence to Title IV and other applicable financial aid regulations
4. Leads enterprise-wide risk assessment activities related to financial aid administration and establishes mitigation strategies to address identified compliance vulnerabilities
5. Directs the development, implementation, and governance of financial aid policies, procedures, internal controls, and documentation standards to support regulatory compliance and operational excellence
6. Oversees institutional preparedness for federal and state program reviews, audits, accreditation activities, and compliance examinations, ensuring timely and effective responses to findings and recommendations
7. Collaborates with senior leadership and campus stakeholders to establish strategic compliance priorities and ensure alignment between regulatory requirements and institutional objectives
8. Designs and oversees quality assurance, monitoring, and continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen compliance performance, enhance operational efficiency, and support student service excellence
9. Ensures compliance with institutional policies related to data governance, privacy, security, records retention, and information stewardship
10. Leads the evaluation and standardization of financial aid business processes to improve consistency, efficiency, internal controls, and regulatory compliance
11. Develops and maintains productive relationships with federal and state agencies, accrediting bodies, auditors, and other external stakeholders, serving as the institutional representative on financial aid compliance matters
12. Directs staff training and professional development initiatives to promote regulatory knowledge, policy consistency, and a culture of compliance throughout the organization
13. Provides executive reporting and recommendations to senior leadership regarding compliance trends, audit results, risk assessments, corrective actions, and emerging regulatory developments
14. Fosters a culture of integrity, accountability, continuous improvement, and student-centered service within the financial aid organization

Educational Requirements
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a related field

Required Experience
Eight (8) or more years in financial aid, scholarships, and compliance in an institution of higher education, including six (6) years of management at an institution of higher education with a student population of more than 25,000

Preferred Educational Qualifications
An advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a related field

The salary range is up to $125,500. 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
Ability to interpret complex regulations and translate them into operational procedures.
Able to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time, meeting assigned deadlines.
Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting regulatory deadlines.

KNOWLEDGE
Comprehensive knowledge of federal Title IV regulations and financial aid administration.
Knowledge of institutional compliance frameworks and internal controls.
Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite)

SKILLS
Excellent interpersonal skills, initiative, teamwork, problem-solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management, and presentation skills
Strong attention to detail and follow-up skills
Strong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette