Pepperdine University’s College of Health Science (PCHS) is seeking a seasoned, well-rounded, service-oriented leader to serve as Director, Financial Assistance. This pivotal role will design and deliver best-in-class financial assistance operations for the PCHS, ensuring students have the resources and guidance to pursue their calling in the health sciences. The Director will work directly with prospective and current undergraduate and graduate students—and their families—counseling them through aid options, processing federal, state, institutional, and private funds, and maintaining compliance with all applicable regulations.

This is a unique opportunity to join Pepperdine’s newest college at a formative stage. This role will help establish policies, streamline processes, and build a culture of exceptional service that advances PCHS’s enrollment and retention goals. The ideal candidate is collaborative, adaptable, and skilled at balancing compliance excellence with compassionate, solutions-focused support. Above all, this individual will bring a commitment to servant leadership and alignment with Pepperdine’s Christian mission and values as they remove barriers and open doors for future healthcare leaders.

Duties

• Operational Leadership & Process improvement:
  • Oversee, establish, and strategically enhance processes for the day-to-day operations of the PCHS financial assistance department.
  • Develop, implement, and continuously improve CHS financial aid operations, standards, performance guidelines, policies, procedures, and metrics to ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
  • Review and analyze daily, weekly, and monthly reports to ensure accuracy, identify and correct errors, and maintain high levels of student service.
  • Manage the analysis, reconciliation, and disbursement of student financial aid programs in compliance with regulations; prepare and submit annual reports.
  • Audit files, run queries and reports on a regular basis.
  • Align CHS Financial Assistance management with University Financial Assistance best practices. 
• Student Advising & Support
  • Provide comprehensive counseling and guidance to prospective and current students - and their families - throughout the full financial assistance lifecycle, from application to repayment.
  • Assist with application follow-up, communications, and packaging of federal and institutional aid (in coordination with Seaver financial aid colleagues).
  • Anticipate student needs, resolve issues proactively, and deliver exceptional customer service in collaboration with faculty, staff, and external agencies.
  • Review and process special circumstance appeal requests for families who have extenuating circumstances.
  • Audit student files for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) after every semester. 
• Education & Outreach
  • Coordinate with Admissions Counselors to update and present financial assistance information during prospective student sessions and new student orientations.
  • Conduct Financial Assistance workshops, including financial literacy education on budgeting, debt management, loan repayment options, and current financing programs.
  • Serve as liaison to faculty, staff, University offices, and outside agencies (as appropriate) to address financial aid, student account, and enrollment eligibility issues.
  • Attend Financial Aid conferences to understand industry changes and ensure best practices. 
• Data Management & Compliance
  • Maintain accurate, detailed spreadsheets, files, and records: verify data integrity, research discrepancies, and ensure compliance with all policies.
  • Monitor and update CHS website content related to financial assistance, ensuring deadlines, requirements, resources, and program information remain current.
  • Assist with updating financial aid related office marketing collaterals and brochures when needed. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 
• Uphold University mission through work performed.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Skills and Qualifications

Required:

• A Bachelor's degree.
• A minimum of 5-7 years of current progressive experience in student aid in a college/academic environment with a detailed working knowledge of financial aid requirements, processes and workflows.
• Fluid understanding of federal, state, and institutional financial regulation. Familiarity with FAFSA, Pell Grants, Federal Work-Study, student loans (Direct Loan Program, PLUS Loans), and institutional scholarship and grant programs.
• Experience managing budgets, preparing reports, and analyzing financial aid data.
• Strong ability to plan, prioritize, and organize short and long-term tasks.
• Excellent written/oral/interpersonal communication and customer service skills.
• Knowledge of customer service standards and procedures. Digitally fluent with a high-degree of proficiency using Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Google Workspace; familiarity with imaging processes, web-based technology platforms/systems, and applications.

Preferred:

• Certified Financial Aid Administrator (CFAA) or similar certifications offered by professional organizations like the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).
• Entrepreneurial or management experience.
• A Master’s Degree
• Advanced knowledge of PeopleSoft Student System.

This is a Regular, Exempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Range: $90,000 - $100,000 per year 

The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Qualified individuals should be able to show respect for workplace differences, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University’s reputation; and providing comprehensive job-related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Individuals will be required to disclose any criminal convictions on a designated form after receiving a conditional offer of employment; failure to disclose accurate information may result in withdrawal of the offer or termination of employment. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.