Manager, Financial Aid

The UNM Student Financial Aid Office seeks an
experienced and student-focused professional to serve as the Financial Aid
Manager for the Federal Aid Processing team of the department. This position
oversees the administration, compliance, and operational effectiveness of
federal, state, institutional, and other financial aid programs while leading a
team of Financial Aid Officers responsible for delivering timely and accurate
financial aid services.

The Financial Aid Manager serves as a subject matter
expert on Title IV regulations, provides leadership for financial aid
processing operations and compliance activities, and collaborates with campus
partners to support student access, retention, and success. The ideal candidate
will combine strong regulatory knowledge, operational expertise, leadership
skills, and a commitment to continuous improvement in a dynamic higher
education environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supervise, mentor, train, and evaluate financial aid processing staff.
• Manage daily financial aid processing operations, including verification, awarding, eligibility reviews, and compliance monitoring.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, institutional, and Title IV regulations.
• Monitor regulatory changes and implement operational and policy updates as needed.
• Oversee compliance activities such as overpayment resolution, Pell LEU monitoring, and federal loan aggregate limit tracking.
• Analyze processes and implement improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and student service.
• Support audits, program reviews, and compliance assessments.
• Collaborate with Enrollment Management, Scholarships, Student Employment, Student Accounts, Registrar, and other campus partners.
• Present financial aid information at workshops, orientations, and outreach events.
• Serve as a resource for complex financial aid inquiries and regulatory guidance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs.
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Excellent customer service and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to compliance.
• Proficiency with data analysis, reporting, and operational performance management.

This is a full-time, benefits eligible position.

The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive
package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In
addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and
dependent education programs. See the Prospective Employee page for a more
complete explanation of UNM benefits.

See the Position Description for additional information.

• If this position is assigned to the Athletics Department, either administratively or functionally, compliance with all NCAA rules and regulations is required.
• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.

Bachelor's degree; at least 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

• Demonstrated knowledge of federal student aid programs, Title IV regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Experience using student information systems, financial aid management systems, and reporting tools.
• Ability to interpret complex regulations and translate them into operational procedures.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, training, or leading staff.
• Experience managing financial aid processing operations, verification, awarding, and compliance monitoring.
• Experience with Ellucian Banner, COD, CPS/FPS, OnBase, and other financial aid technology platforms.
• Demonstrated expertise in identifying and resolving complex compliance issues and assessing regulatory risks.
• Strong presentation and project management skills.
• Experience working in a large, complex higher education environment.
• Commitment to serving diverse student populations and promoting student success.
• Ability to lead teams through organizational, regulatory, and technological change.
• Ability to effectively communicate with students, families, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.

Only applications submitted through
the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job
advertisement on a 3rd party site, please
visit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.