Job Summary

The Executive Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships supports the university's enrollment efforts by administering and coordinating all student financial aid and scholarship programs at Cal Poly and the Cal Poly Maritime Academy. Under the general direction of the Associate Vice President of Strategic Enrollment Management, with a dotted line to the Vice President of Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, the Executive Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships is responsible for the overall administration of all federal, state, and institutional financial aid and scholarships to approximately 60% of the student population at Cal Poly; provides leadership for planning, managing, and evaluating personnel and programs while ensuring timely, sensitive, and accurate delivery of financial aid to students in the midst of a highly-regulated environment.

The Executive Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships has authority for making decisions relative to financial aid awarding policies, professional judgment issues, operating policies and procedures, expenditure policies, work guidelines for staff assignments and reassignments, and for departmental priorities in the delivery of student financial aid and scholarships. This position operates independently within broadly defined organizational goals and objectives established in collaboration with the Vice President of Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Affairs.

Department Summary

The Financial Aid Office is responsible for determining eligibility for, and awarding, federal, state, institutional, and private grants, scholarships, work-study, and loan programs totaling over $150 million annually to more than 13,000 eligible students. The office is responsible for adhering to the regulatory requirements as outlined in federal and state regulations as well as donor and institutional policies and for assuring compliance by the University. The Office's primary function is to provide appropriate financial aid based on federal and state parameters and in keeping with CSU and Cal Poly institutional policies.

Key Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and implement complex system-wide and campus policies; ability to work in a results-orientated, fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of sound management practices, fiscal accounting procedures and staff development techniques.
• Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written); public relations skills for campus and community contacts.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in one of the student services program areas or in a related field, and nine years of progressively responsible experience.
• Additional years of qualifying experience may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis.

Salary and Benefits

The anticipated hiring range for this role is $145,000 - $165,000 Per Year. Note that the offer is calculated based on the background and relevant years of experience of the individual selected.

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Anticipated Hiring Range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Classification Range may be broader than what the University anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. Applicants for staff and management positions must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

This position may be "Designated" under California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. This would require the filing of a Statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis and the completion of training within 6 months of assuming office and every 2 years thereafter.