Director of Financial Aid
Opportunity Guide
https://www.unity.edu/
Unity College is a leader in sustainability science, educating responsible, optimistic individuals committed to solving the world’s most pressing environmental problems.
For over fifty years Unity College has been preparing the next generation of environmental professionals and leaders to successfully face real-world challenges. Unity College, America’s Environmental College located in Unity, Maine, serves a broad range of students from all backgrounds across the U.S. - and the world. To be responsive to the rapidly changing needs of students and society, Unity College offers both flagship campus and distance education programs for undergraduate and graduate-level environmental degrees.
On Unity’s flagship campus, the liberal arts curriculum is built upon a unique framework of sustainability science - the first of its kind in the nation. A distinctive approach to learning provides students with an exceptional, high-quality education, enabling them to drive real change with leading-edge knowledge and expertise within any of 17 environmentally focused majors. Unity College’s unique location provides extraordinary opportunities for hands-on learning and research, allowing active and engaged students to work together with forward-thinking faculty to make true community-based learning possible. From 225 wooded acres of farmland in rural Maine, the College prepares each of its students to make a mark on the world. Affordable housing and amenities are available in Unity and in nearby communities, including the more populated centers of Bangor (34 miles away), the state Capitol of Augusta (39 miles away), Belfast (24 miles away) and Waterville (18 miles away).
Unity College’s distance education unit, started in 2016, extends the effects of a Unity College education to adult learners, and beyond the physical confines of the flagship campus. Unity College Online offers affordable, accredited master’s degrees and non-degree credits, ideal for working professionals seeking to advance their careers, helping students become the change maker the world needs while still honoring their commitments, wherever they are.
Unity College seeks to attract employees who share a commitment to the environment and to human diversity, and who have an interest in helping students develop an understanding of the richness and complexity of individuals and society.
The Opportunity: Director of Financial Aid
Reporting to the Executive Director of Flagship Admissions and Financial Aid, The Director of Financial Aid will lead the development and execution of an annual strategy for leveraging financial aid resources to meet students’ financial needs while supporting the College’s enrollment and retention goals.
Unity College helps approximately 90% of its students (both on the Flagship campus and in the Distance Education programs) with the cost of their education by preparing personalized financial aid packages.The successful candidate will be a dynamic, creative, hands-on leader who is responsible for administering a budget of $1.9 million of federal, state and institutional financial aid programs and to provide effective leadership to ensure compliance with all laws and financial aid regulations and policies.
Leadership and Strategy
- Directs the financial aid program for both Flagship and Distance Education students.
- Creates and executes strategy for leveraging financial aid resources and meeting student financial needs.
- Develops, implements and monitors budgets, policies and procedures.
- Ensures proper fiscal management and reporting of financial aid programs.
- Determines students’ eligibility for assistance and coordinates the allocation and disbursement of funds.
- Collaborates with leaders on strategic enrollment, retention, and scholarship awarding goals and determines need for relevant actions.
Student and Family Outreach
- Counsels students and their families regarding availability of financial assistance and eligibility.
- Disseminates information to students, staff and faculty regarding financial aid.
- Administers the Student Work-Study Program.
- Provides presentations to prospective students and families, as well as individual counseling, including on and off campus events.
- Maintains and models commitment to superior customer service.
- Demonstrates the ability to work with a diverse student body.
Management and Team Supervision
- Directly supervises two financial aid counselors.
- Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the College’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; and addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Institutional Responsibilities
- Contributes to the College’s commitment of supporting a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment.
- Assumes responsibility to maintain and upgrade professional knowledge and skills regarding regulations, industry trends, current practices, new developments and applicable laws.
- Serves as a role model for the College’s standards of conduct.
- Demonstrates a high degree of commitment to customer service and student success.
The Qualified Candidate
Unity College seeks a Director of Financial Aid to serve in the lead role in College financial aid planning, administration and management. The successful candidate will be a detail oriented professional whose team will assist nearly 90% of the student body with some sort of financial aid package.
Specific Requirements Include:
- Bachelor’s degree (BA) or equivalent.
- Five or more years of related experience, with at least two serving as a supervisor to staff.
- Ability to read, analyze and interpret data, reports and legal documents.
- Experience with responding to common inquiries or complaints from students, parents, staff, regulatory agencies, and/or members of the business community.
- Adept at both writing presentations and articles for publication that conform to a prescribed style and format, and then effectively presenting that information to students, parents, staff, management and public groups.
- Comfort with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, with the ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
- Proficiency in the use of word processing, spreadsheets and computerized data base management.
- Proven skill in defining problems, collecting data, establishing facts, and drawing valid conclusions, including working with an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and dealing with several abstract and concrete variables.
- Demonstrated knowledge of current financial aid policies and trends, and the capacity to translate this knowledge into Financial Aid packaging models in support of enrollment and retention goals.
- Understanding of and passion for the higher education sector.
- Ability to work with confidential information requiring discretion and integrity.
- History of a successful working relationship with colleagues in Finance, Advancement, Admissions and other College Departments.
This position offers a competitive salary with generous benefits. Relocation assistance may be offered.
Unity College is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria.
To Apply
Candidates may apply by clicking the APPLY NOW button below.
To assure confidential tracking of all applicants, no applications will be accepted via email. ALL INQUIRIES WILL BE HELD IN STRICT CONFIDENCE.
This search is being managed by Laura Weinman, Assistant Vice President of KEES. Questions may be addressed to lweinman@kees2success.com
KEES is a retained search and nonprofit consulting firm that builds transformative teams and leaders. For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com.
In and Around Unity
Come explore the area in and around Unity, including the Unity College Center for the Performing Arts, the Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, and our Field of Dreams - a beautiful outdoor recreation area just a short walk from campus. If you like local and organic farming, don’t miss the Unity Farmers’ Market or the nationally recognized Common Ground Country Fair, which is held each fall and organized by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.
In and Around Maine
There are also lots of amazing places to explore in and around Maine. Within a two-hour drive from campus you’ll find the breathtaking Acadia National Park - home to Mt. Desert Island and Schoodic Point. You’ll also find Baxter State Park, where you can spend the day climbing Mt. Katahdin, and Reid State Park, with its long, sandy beaches, picnic areas and scenic views. And if you like to ski, be sure to check out Sugarloaf and Sunday River ski resorts, also within a two-hour drive.
Here are some other fun attractions not far from campus:
Within A One-Hour Drive:
Within A Two-Hour Drive:
- Moosehead Lake: boating, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling
- Popham Beach: swimming, fishing, sea kayaking, birdwatching
- Port Clyde: ferry to Monhegan Island
- Portland:the Arts District and Old Port Historic District
- Rangeley Lakes:skiing and recreation
- Sebago Lake State Park:boating, swimming, camping, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
