Elon University, located in Elon, North Carolina, and renowned as a national model for engaged and experiential learning, seeks a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as its next Executive Director of Financial Aid. This is an exceptional opportunity for a collaborative leader to shape the future of a thriving institution and enhance the student experience.
Founded in 1889, Elon University has maintained strong core values throughout its history: close working relationships among faculty, staff, and students, a culture that supports constant innovation, and a deep commitment to global and local engagement. Elon is a selective, mid-sized private university where students work closely with faculty who are dedicated to excellent teaching, mentoring, and scholarship. The curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and complemented by nationally accredited professional and graduate programs. Elon’s success can be attributed to a stable team of strong leaders working within a collaborative, entrepreneurial culture in which new ideas are welcomed and frequently realized. Change is continual, rooted in the university’s commitments to excellence, student success through engaged learning, the teacher-scholar model, wise use of resources, and rigorous planning and execution.
Today, Elon has just over 7,200 students – 6,402 undergraduates and 805 graduate students – from 48 states, the District of Columbia, three U.S. territories, and 54 countries. Elon is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as #1 in the nation for excellence in undergraduate teaching and #13 for innovation. In addition, Elon is ranked among the best-run colleges in the country in 2024 and one of the “Best Value Colleges” by The Princeton Review. Elon sponsors 17 NCAA Division I varsity sports and is a member of the Colonial Athletic Association.
The Executive Director of Financial Aid is a member of Elon’s Enrollment Division senior staff and plays a vital role in shaping and implementing effective financial aid and enrollment strategies that align with the university’s goals and fosters an inclusive and supportive student experience. The Executive Director will provide leadership and oversight to the university’s financial aid office of 12 professionals and manage an institutional financial aid budget of just under $65 million. The strongest candidate will be an experienced leader who skillfully navigates the delicate balance between advancing institutional goals and optimizing limited financial aid resources to provide every student with the highest quality education at a competitive cost. For students enrolled in Elon’s Odyssey program, the university commits to meeting their full demonstrated need.
The successful candidate will possess experience in leading a high-performing team as well as a record of developing and implementing innovative financial aid strategies and initiatives that align with an institution’s mission and values. The community will welcome a leader who actively contributes to Elon’s shared responsibility of inclusive excellence and supports Elon’s commitment to relationships, mentoring, and collaboration in a close-knit community. Additionally, this leader will bring broad and contemporary expertise in all state and federal financial aid programs and best practices for utilizing institutional methodology. A minimum of five (5) years of financial aid experience in higher education with evidence of progressive leadership and an advanced degree are required.
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as two separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile.
WittKieffer is assisting Elon University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by May 2, 2025. Application materials should be submitted to WittKieffer’s candidate portal using the buttons below.
Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Christy Pratt, Rob Springall, and Jess Cummings at: [email protected]