Executive Director of Financial Aid

WittKieffer is proud to partner with Old Dominion University to conduct the national search for their next Executive Director of Financial Aid. This is an opportunity for a financial aid professional with significant experience supporting a University's enrollment goals, facilitating student success, managing financial aid resources, and fostering innovation.  

Old Dominion University (ODU) is a pre-eminent public research university located in Coastal Virginia. Their world-class faculty fosters dynamic on-campus and global online learning for undergraduate and graduate students that enriches their lives, promotes insightful and perceptive leadership, and motivates the pursuit of excellence in dedicated fields and professions. 

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Optimization, the Executive Director of Student Financial Aid plays a critical leadership role in overseeing the internal operations of the Office of Student Financial Aid and leading a team that manages day-to-day administration of federal, state, and institutional aid. The Executive Director also provides strategic direction and policy leadership to promote equitable access, affordability, student persistence, and timely degree completion through thoughtful, data-informed use of financial aid resources. 

The successful Executive Director of Financial Aid candidate will: 

• Provide leadership for the financial aid and scholarship operations, exercising significant independent authority to make decisions that support enrollment and retention. 
• Collaborate with the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Optimization, other enrollment management leaders, and campus partners, in order to ensure alignment with institutional strategies, enhance operational effectiveness, and cultivate staff leadership to advance the university's goals. 
• Oversee all areas of the Office of Student Financial Aid, including data accuracy and integrity, operational efficiency, compliance with federal and state regulations, and the effective use of student financial aid systems such as Ellucian Banner. 
• Facilitate coordination and communication across university departments to create a positive educational experience for students while ensuring compliance with all regulatory and institutional policies. 
• Promote a departmental culture that embraces individual and organizational learning and works with key student financial services teams in departmental planning, development, and training to improve individual, group, and organizational performance to ensure successful results
• Develop and lead a financial aid team that is both nimble and responsive to rapidly changing and complex financial aid regulations, and that is adaptable to the priorities of a forward-focused institution. 

The preferred candidate will possess a master's degree and at least five years of relevant experience including time spent in a leadership role in a financial aid office. Additionally, knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations and the ability to interpret and apply them to ensure compliance are also required. 

Please direct all applications, nominations and inquiries to Rob Springall or Ethan Robles, by using the WittKieffer Candidate Portal or by email at [email protected]. The Candidate Portal is a secure, easy way to nominate a colleague, express interest, or apply for a position. Either means of application is acceptable. 

Old Dominion University employees are eligible for a comprehensive suite of benefits. Visit ODU’s Talent Management and Culture website for details. 

It is the policy of Old Dominion University to provide equal employment, educational and social opportunities for all persons, without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), national origin, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation or genetic information. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.