Director of Funding Compliance

 Lead Federal Student Aid Compliance. Safeguard Institutional Integrity. Drive Regulatory Excellence.

We’re Sonoran Desert Institute and we are seeking an experienced Director of Funding Compliance to join our amazing team

Our story:

Sonoran Desert Institute (SDI) has been changing lives since 2000. As a DEAC accredited school, our mission is to provide students with current, industry-driven, quality education, delivered through online distance education and practical applications. SDI is an employee-owned company creating a culture with an ownership mentality at the foundation. We believe in rewarding our employees through the success of the institution. We’re proud to be recognized by the Great Place to Work Institute as a Great Place to Work for three consecutive years 2023, 2024, and 2025.  Come be a part of our dynamic organization where you will have the ability to impact the lives of others as they pursue their educational journey with us.

What you will be doing:

The Director of Funding Compliance is responsible for ensuring institutional compliance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations related to Federal Student Aid (Title IV), Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits, and Military Tuition Assistance (TA) programs. This role provides strategic oversight of compliance operations, regulatory reporting, and internal controls to ensure continued eligibility for all funding sources.
The Director serves as a subject matter expert on regulatory requirements, collaborates across departments to ensure accurate implementation of funding policies, and leads initiatives to maintain audit readiness, data integrity, and operational excellence. This role plays a critical part in supporting both institutional compliance and a seamless student financial experience. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Ensure institutional compliance with all Title IV, VA, TA, state, and institutional funding regulations 
• Maintain current knowledge of federal and state regulatory changes and translate requirements into actionable institutional processes
• Oversee Department of Education system access and reporting, including COD, CPS,NSLDS, FSA Partner Connect, and E-App submissions
• Manage compliance reporting processes, including 90/10, 85/15, Gainful Employment, Consumer Information disclosures, COA updates, and IPEDS reporting
• Lead internal and external audit preparation, program reviews, and compliance response efforts 
• Oversee reconciliation processes for federal aid drawdowns, returns, and fund accuracy
• Ensure enrollment reporting compliance through NSLDS and/or the National Student Clearinghouse 
• Develop, maintain, and update policies, SOPs, and compliance training materials across departments 
• Partner with Institutional Data and Finance teams to ensure accurate reporting and funding integrity 
• Monitor default management processes and ensure institutional compliance with cohort default rate requirements 
• Collaborate with leadership to identify process gaps, implement improvements, and strengthen internal controls 
• Serve as a compliance subject matter expert across all funding sources and institutional stakeholders

 What we offer:

• Highly competitive compensation
• Award winning culture 
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Comprehensive benefits package with 100% company-paid medical option for employee
• 401(k) with generous company match and no vesting 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Pet Insurance
• Company-paid Life insurance
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick, and Volunteer time off!)
• 14 Paid holidays
• Referral program
• Education Tuition Benefit program
• Career development opportunities with a growing company
• And perhaps most importantly, a team who is dedicated to your success!

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Business, Higher Education, Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, or related field
• Minimum seven years of experience administering Title IV Financial Aid programs in higher education
• Minimum three years of leadership or supervisory experience in financial aid compliance or regulatory operations
• Strong knowledge of Title IV regulations including R2T4, packaging, disbursement, eligibility, verification, and reconciliation
• Experience with VA Education Benefits, Military Tuition Assistance (TA), and other federal/state funding programs
• Working knowledge of Department of Education systems (COD, CPS, NSLDS, FSA Partner Connect, E-App)
• Experience supporting audits, program reviews, and compliance reporting requirements
• Ability to interpret complex federal regulations and develop compliant policies, SOPs, and training programs

Sonoran Desert Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It recruits and hires without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran or disability status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or any factors prohibited by law and affirms in policy and practice to support equal opportunity in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

*Unless specifically agreed upon, SDI does not provide relocation assistance

**Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

***All benefits not available immediately upon hire. Some eligibility requirements may need to be met to be eligible for some benefits based on company policy.