Job No. 158137
- Job Title:
- Assistant Director of Financial Aid
- Employer:
-
Baylor University
- Location:
-
Waco , TX
- Posting Date:
- 31-Mar-2026
- Description:
-
A humble college founded before Texas was a state, Baylor now stands as one of the premier institutions of higher education in the world. Baylor has continued to invest in research and doctoral education, both solidifying and elevating its unique status as a preeminent Christian research university. Baylor is among 187 R1 institutions, just 52 of which are private universities.
Since 2011, Baylor has been named as one of the nation’s “Great Colleges to Work For”. Great Colleges to Work For® is one of the country’s largest and most respected workplace recognition programs. Each year, Great Colleges recognizes the colleges and universities that get top employee ratings regarding workplace practices and policies across 10 areas. This recognition is based on faculty and staff responses to a related annual survey. The survey, conducted by ModernThink, is a way for colleges and universities to gain a deeper understanding of how their employees experience and view various aspects of the institution. This continued recognition further affirms Baylor as a rewarding place to build a career.
What We're Looking For
This position will support the mission and vision of Baylor University by leading a Financial Aid team in maintaining a customer service focus in the administration of financial aid. Strong leadership, relationship building, and communication are critical components of this position. Demonstrating robust core competencies, most notably: facilitating a commitment to succeed, leading by example, a desire to continue professional development and learning, teaching, and developing others, being an innovative thinker and having an ability to be decisive with a service-minded attitude. These attributes will support the Financial Aid office in efficient, timely, and accurate administration of financial aid.
A bachelor's degree and three years of relevant experience are required. Five years of relevant experience are preferred.
Additional education or experience will be considered in lieu of one another.
Required skills and qualifications:
Financial Aid and Higher Education experience
Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy, professionalism, integrity, and customer service focus
Proven leadership results
Ability to lead, inspire, monitor, and supervise employees to achieve goals that contribute to the mission of Baylor University
Proven ability to lead individuals and groups where duties involve instruction, training, reviewing work, documenting procedures, presenting information, and problem-solving
Proven ability to plan and complete assignments, resolve conflicts, coordinate, and direct work with others between cross-functional teams
Handle and delegate responsibilities
Support effective collaboration with cross-functional teams
Commitment to active listening and effective communication
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Accurately estimate timelines and meet deadlines
Ability to take initiative, work independently, collaboratively, and thrive in a dynamic work environment
Strong working knowledge of industry policies and regulations
Curious learner driven to grow in and understand more about Financial Aid, Higher Education, systems, and development of skills
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to review work and proactively act on error resolution
Exercise good judgement and discretion when working with confidential and sensitive information and situations
Intermediate experience with Excel, Banner, Federal Student Aid, COD, NSLDS, and other related agencies, systems, and platforms
Additional preferred skills and qualifications:
Knowledge of current Department of Education Financial Aid Regulations and Title IV Aid programs
Knowledge of institutional, state, and private aid programs, requirements, and regulations
Knowledge of aid administration in conjunction with athletic aid eligibility, including NCAA, Big 12, and Baylor policies and regulations
Advanced Excel skills and experience with reporting and data analysis
Strong analytical and critical thinking to identify patterns, gaps, research solutions, assess performance, and support implementation of processes, procedures, and policies.
A hybrid work arrangement will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Must be able to travel outside of the state of Texas.
Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a Full-Time basis.
What You Will Do
Responsible for direct supervision and leadership of a Financial Aid team
Lead in development and coaching of staff
Maintain up-to-date knowledge in aid administration to ensure accurate and timely processing
Leadership in daily, monthly, and annual audits and reconciliation of financial aid programs
Analyze data to provide proactive identification of error resolution to support compliance and student experience
Report patterns in data to supervisor to address areas of needed training, and/or changes to policy and procedure for efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance
Heightened awareness in the stewardship and responsibility of accurate, compliant, aid administration
Maintain a thorough knowledge of federal, state, NCAA, Big 12, and university regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance
Development of necessary policies and procedures
Support training efforts for the Financial Aid Processing team, as well as cross-functional training in Financial Aid, Enrollment Management, and Baylor University
Research and respond to requests from team members to support customer service and student experience
Partner with Student Financial Aid Tech Team in automation setup, performance, and preparing reports to support Financial Aid Operations
Assist with special projects and any other task assigned by the supervisor
Some travel for training and events
Perform all other duties as assigned to support Baylor’s mission
Ability to comply with University policies
Maintain regular and punctual attendance