Director of Financial Aid - CSU San Jose

Another Source's client, San José State University, is recruiting a Director of the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office to join their team in San Jose, California. This is an onsite leadership role based on campus five days per week. 

Here's a little about San José State University: 
Founded in 1857, San José State University (SJSU) is the founding campus of the California State University system and a nationally recognized public university located in the heart of Silicon Valley. SJSU serves more than 36,000 students across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs and is known for its strong commitment to access, social mobility, and student success. 

The university is deeply connected to the innovation ecosystem of Silicon Valley, preparing students to thrive in a global economy while fostering inclusive excellence. SJSU’s Division of Student Affairs plays a critical role in supporting student success through comprehensive services that promote access, persistence, and graduation. 

About this role: 
This opportunity comes at a pivotal moment for the university as the long-tenured leader of the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office retires after 36 years of service. The next Director will build on a strong foundation while bringing fresh perspective, innovation, and strategic leadership to one of the most impactful units supporting student access and success. 

Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management, the Director leads the overall strategy, administration, and compliance of financial aid and scholarship programs serving more than 38,000 undergraduate and graduate students annually. The office administers more than $350M in federal aid, $70M in state aid, and thousands of scholarships each year, making this a highly visible leadership role that directly supports enrollment goals and student persistence. 

The Director will guide a team of approximately 20 staff members, oversee operational effectiveness, ensure regulatory compliance, and partner across campus to deliver equitable, student-centered financial aid services. 

Scope & Impact 

Financial Aid & Scholarship Leadership 

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office, administering over $420M in federal and state aid annually along with approximately 3,500 scholarships 

• Ensure effective administration and compliance for federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs including grants, work-study, and federal loan programs 

• Oversee processes including eligibility verification, awarding, reconciliation, reporting, satisfactory academic progress monitoring, and financial counseling 

• Serve as the university’s subject matter expert on financial aid regulations and ensure alignment with federal, state, CSU, and institutional policies 

• Lead continuous improvement of financial aid processes, systems, and communication tools to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency 

• Maintain strong partnerships with units such as the Bursar’s Office, Finance, Housing, Academic Advising, Athletics, and campus foundations to support students from admission through graduation 

• Represent the university at professional conferences, campus committees, and community engagements 

Strategic Planning & Student Success 

• Serve as a member of the Enrollment Management Leadership Team and contribute to divisional and institutional planning 

• Develop and implement strategic initiatives that align financial aid operations with enrollment and student success goals 

• Utilize benchmarking, assessment, and best practices to improve services, communication, and use of technology 

• Analyze operational data and reporting to inform strategic decisions and improve outcomes for students 

• Support outreach efforts and financial literacy initiatives that help students and families understand and access financial resources 

Team Leadership & Organizational Development 

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of approximately 20 professional staff members, including managers, financial aid counselors, coordinators, and administrative staff 

• Directly supervise senior team members while providing overall leadership and direction for the office 

• Foster a collaborative culture centered on service excellence, innovation, transparency, and professional development 

• Support staff engagement through regular communication, coaching, and opportunities for professional growth 

• Ensure compliance with CSU policies, HR practices, and collective bargaining agreements 

Fiscal & Resource Management 

• Manage a departmental operating budget of approximately $1.5M from multiple funding sources 

• Monitor expenditures, ensure fiscal accountability, and implement performance measures 

• Prepare funding proposals and cost-benefit analyses for program and operational improvements 

• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to maximize resources and enhance student services 

Qualifications 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field 

• Five years of progressively responsible management experience in financial aid within a higher education environment 

• Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, CSU, and institutional financial aid regulations and policies 

• Experience supervising and developing professional staff in a financial aid setting 

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives that support student success and enrollment goals 

• Experience analyzing operational data and implementing improvements to processes, systems, or services 

• Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across multiple campus units 

• Experience managing budgets and financial resources 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in a related field 

• Seven to ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience in financial aid within higher education 

• Experience working with student information systems, database tools, and financial aid processing technologies 

• Demonstrated experience leveraging technology, automation, and analytics to enhance financial aid operations and reporting 

Compensation & Benefits 

The anticipated salary range for this role is $145,000 – $155,000 annually, depending on experience. 

Why a Career with CSU is for You: 

The CSU system offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to meet you where you're at in life and typically adds 30–35% to your total compensation package. For more information on programs available, take a closer look in the Employee Benefits Summary: 
https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/careers/benefits/Documents/employee-benefits-summary.pdf 

• Emphasis on maintaining a healthy work-life balance with ample PTO and flexibility, which includes up to 24 vacation days per year (based on employee group/services) 

• Enjoy the vibrant campus life with access to athletic and gym facilities, renowned sporting events, artist events, and world-renowned speakers 

• Numerous professional development opportunities to advance your career including tuition waivers for yourself, a spouse, registered domestic partner or an eligible dependent child across any of the 23 CSU campuses 

• Two different retirement plans catered to fit your personal saving goals: CalPERS Retirement Plan or 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan (Similar to a 401k plan) 

• Medical benefits tailored to support various life stages 

• We recognize that transportation to and from work can be expensive and we are here to help support you with pre-tax commuter benefits 

San José State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us. 

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