Senior Director of Financial Wellness - Student Financial Aid

Job Description

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Business Unit: Rush Medical Center

Hospital: Rush University Medical Center

Department: Student Financial Aid

Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE between 0.9 and 1.0)

Shift: Shift 1

Work Schedule: 8 Hr (8:00:00 AM - 4:30:00 PM)

Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at our Rush benefits page (https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits).

Pay Range: $52.15 - $77.70 per hour

Rush salaries are determined by many factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related experience and skills, as well as internal equity and industry specific market data. The pay range for each role reflects Rush’s anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. Offers may vary depending on the circumstances of each case.

Job Summary:

The Senior Director of Financial Wellness is the institution’s executive authority and accountable owner for student financing strategy, financial aid governance, scholarship stewardship, and financial wellness integration. As the university’s final decision owner for student financing, financial aid policy, and financial wellness strategy, the role operates in close partnership and consultation with the Vice Provost for Student Affairs. The position carries enterprise-level accountability for institutional outcomes related to enrollment sustainability, regulatory compliance, financial exposure, and equitable student access and success.

As a senior executive advisor to university leadership, the Senior Director translates complex financial aid policy, regulatory requirements, market dynamics, and funding changes into binding institutional strategy, decision frameworks, and risk mitigation actions. The role represents Rush University internally and externally as the final institutional authority on matters related to student financial aid, affordability, and financial wellness.

This role exemplifies the Rush mission, vision, and values and operates in accordance with all policies and procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in finance, business, higher education, public administration, or a related field.

• Extensive experience in financial aid administration with deep expertise in Title IV and regulatory compliance.

• Demonstrated senior-level leadership experience with accountability for institutional outcomes.

• Proven ability to translate complex policy, regulatory change, and market dynamics into institutional strategy and executive decision-making.

• Strong executive communication, analytical, and cross-functional leadership skills.

• Experience leading enterprise systems, data initiatives, or large-scale organizational change.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate and/or relevant professional certifications.

• Experience leading financial wellness, affordability, or student success initiatives at scale.

• Active engagement or leadership in national financial aid or higher education organizations.

Physical Demands:

Normal physical functions are performed within a standard office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with physical challenges to perform the essential functions and responsibilities.

Competencies:

• Strategic Leadership & Vision: Ability to set direction and lead institution-wide financial aid and financial wellness strategy in a complex and evolving higher education landscape.

• Financial Aid & Regulatory Expertise: Deep knowledge of Title IV regulations, financial aid policy, and student financing trends, with the ability to translate complexity into institutional action.

• Executive Communication & Influence: Exceptional ability to communicate complex financial concepts to senior leadership, faculty, and external stakeholders, and influence decision-making at the highest levels.

• Institutional Partnership & Collaboration: Proven ability to build strong, trusted relationships with colleges, enrollment leadership, advancement, and cross-functional partners to achieve shared goals.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Advanced analytical skills with the ability to leverage data, financial models, and market insights to inform strategy, resource allocation, and policy development.

• Organizational Leadership & Talent Development: Ability to lead, develop, and scale high-performing teams, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and student- centered service.

• Change Management & Innovation: Demonstrated ability to lead large-scale change initiatives (e.g., system implementations, new program models) and drive continuous improvement.

• Operational & Technological Acumen: Strong understanding of financial aid systems, enterprise technologies (e.g., Workday Student), and process optimization to enhance efficiency and compliance.

• Student-Centered & Equity-Minded Leadership: Commitment to advancing student access, financial well-being, and equity through inclusive, proactive strategies and services.

• Complex Problem Solving & Judgment: Ability to navigate ambiguity, assess institutional risk, and make sound decisions in high-stakes, complex financial and regulatory environments.

• External Awareness & Representation: Ability to represent the institution in national forums and stay informed on emerging trends, policy changes, and best practices in financial aid and financial wellness.

Job Responsibilities:

• Enterprise Leadership & Institutional Accountability

1. Serve as the university’s executive authority and final decision owner for student financing, financial aid policy, and financial wellness strategy, working in close partnership and consultation with the Vice Provost for Student Affairs.

2. Own institutional risk and outcome accountability related to student affordability, enrollment competitiveness, federal and state compliance, and aid-related revenue exposure.

3. Advise senior leadership on high-impact decisions related to policy changes, funding disruptions, enrollment implications, and long-term financial sustainability.

4. Lead development and stewardship of a comprehensive, lifecycle-based financial wellness strategy aligned with enrollment, retention, and equity priorities.

5. Represent Rush University as the institutional voice and decision authority in national associations, regulatory discussions, and strategic partnerships.

• Governance, Compliance & Financial Stewardship

1. Provide enterprise governance and ultimate accountability for all federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, including audit outcomes, compliance posture, and regulatory risk management.

2. Establish institution-wide policy, standards, and decision frameworks governing financial aid administration, scholarship strategy, and escalation of complex or high-risk student cases.

3. Serve as the senior institutional leader for scholarship strategy, including governance, allocation philosophy, and alignment with recruitment, retention, and advancement priorities.

4. Partner with Advancement, Enrollment, Finance, and Academic Leadership to optimize aid and scholarship resources in support of institutional goals.

• Enterprise Systems, Data & Transformation

1. Provide executive sponsorship and outcome accountability for financial aid systems, data governance, and enterprise initiatives (e.g., Workday Student).

2. Ensure systems and data infrastructure support regulatory compliance, institutional reporting, and strategic decision making at scale.

3. Leverage data analytics and market intelligence to inform strategy, resource allocation, and continuous improvement.

• Organizational & Leadership Oversight

1. Lead and develop a multi-layered organizational structure, including Directors and Associate Directors, with clear authority, accountability, and succession planning.

2. Define organizational design, leadership capability requirements, and performance expectations to support scalable, high-performing teams.

3. Foster a culture of accountability, service excellence, innovation, and student-centered impact.

Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Position Senior Director of Financial Wellness - Student Financial Aid

Location US:IL:Chicago

Req ID 31263