Job Summary

San José State University is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to serve as the Director of the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office (FASO). Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management, the Director is responsible for the overall administration, leadership, and fiscal management of the university’s financial aid and scholarship programs. Serving over 38,000 undergraduate and graduate students and managing over $420 million in aid annually. As a key member of the Enrollment Management Leadership Team, the Director of the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office will lead a team of approximately 25 employees, and manage a department budget of $1.5 million. This role requires a visionary leader who excels in compliance, service delivery, communication, and operational efficiency while fostering an inclusive and student-centered environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, management, and evaluation of all federal, state, institutional, and scholarship aid programs
• Oversee regulatory compliance, fiscal accountability, and system implementation
• Supervise and develop staff across counseling, operations, and scholarship functions
• Collaborate with departments across campus to support student retention and timely graduation
• Serve as the campus expert on financial aid and scholarship policy and reporting
• Represent the university on internal and external committees, regional/national associations, and public events
• Develop and implement strategic plans, assessment tools, and service improvement strategies

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner
• Understanding of federal, state, CSU, and institutional financial aid and scholarship policies and practices, with the ability to research, interpret, and apply them effectively
• Experience supervising financial aid and scholarship professional staff, with a commitment to professional development and building team capacity
• Experience identifying, developing, and implementing short- and long-term strategic goals and initiatives that enhance student success, improve customer service, and align with divisional priorities
• Ability to develop, implement, and manage a strategic plan in support of institutional enrollment and student success goals
• Ability to translate business processes into functional and technical requirements to support system and workflow improvements and enhancements
• Demonstrated knowledge of CMS, or relevant student information systems, database management, and imaging technology, as well as proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, presentation tools, and related applications
• Ability to leverage technology, automation, and data analytics to enhance financial aid processing, reporting, compliance, and student services
• Ability to define problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and recommend actionable solutions
• Ability to prepare and manage program budgets, including developing proposals, making accurate projections, monitoring expenditures, and providing cost/benefit analysis regarding funding request
• Working knowledge of fiscal management and best practices
• Ability to train, lead, and inspire individuals and teams to accomplish institutional and divisional goals and objectives.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, faculty, staff, students, media, and community members
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals that clearly communicate complex policies and processes

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Five (5) years of relevant and progressively responsible management experience in an institution of higher education in Financial Aid & Scholarships   

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in a related field
• Seven (7) to ten (10) years of relevant and progressively responsible management experience in an institution of higher education in Financial Aid & Scholarships      

Compensation

Classification: Administrator III
Anticipated Hiring Range: $11,667/month - $12,500/month
CSU Salary Range: $6,891/month - $22,119/month

The final hiring salary will be commensurate with experience.

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: September 24, 2025 through October 8, 2025. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

University Personnel
jobs@sjsu.edu
408-924-2252

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment, and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third-party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification: 

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.