Details
Posted: 25-Jan-22
Location: New York, New York
Salary: Open
Responsibilities:
The Associate Director of Financial Aid, Systems and Operations manages the operational processes for Student Financial Services. Reporting to the Senior Director of Financial Aid, the position is a key partner in all critical business processes, with a focus on the implementation of and administration of systems in service of the objectives for Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM). The position is vital to the success of Financial aid operations.
This position provides guidance and direction on systems, processing operations, and financial aid regulations to the Offices of Student Accounts,, Registrar, Admissions and Student Success and other critical stakeholders at the university (i.e., Finance & Budget and Institutional Research). The position works in collaboration with University Information Technology (IT) in strategic planning, improvements, and implementations of all SFS systems and processes. He/she identifies current and potential issues with the utilization of the various systems, devises solutions, and automates financial aid and student account processes in collaboration with senior colleagues. The Associate Director is responsible for training staff on Banner basics, the processing workflow, upgrade changes, customer relations management software, messaging systems, document management systems, payment systems, and additional software.
The role must be able to work in a team environment as well as independently in the management of project initiatives, reporting deadlines, and ever-changing business needs, regulatory practices. This position requires excellent organizational and project management skills, as well as versatility, flexibility, and problem-solving ability. It requires a combination of strong user-facing skills and an understanding of both the business needs and the underlying technologies to support them in a higher education environment. The main objective of this position is to run the operations, systems, and reporting that are integral to the financial aid office staff and the university to maintain compliance.
The New School is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and particularly seeks applications from members of underrepresented groups, as well as candidates who share this commitment.
Responsibilities
● Works in conjunction with Senior Director to establish packaging rules for graduate and undergraduate degree programs in alignment w/ strategic
enrollment and NTR goals
● Responsible for auto-packaging, oversight of Pell/DL program authorization, and disbursement of aid for both admitted and continuing students
● Oversees the workflows and reports for the payment and reconciliation of student accounts
● Directs the distribution of award letters, disbursement notifications, and other notifications comprising over 50,000 annual letters/emails for SFS
● Maintains regulatory compliance with the institutional, state, and federal processing regulations. Updates and automates processes to align with
financial aid best practices, strategic goals and mitigate risk
● Responsible for internal query requests, and scripts for IT to implement or correct database issues
● Oversees the test plans, testing, and upgrades of the Financial Aid and Student Accounts ERP modules, including reviewing resolution reports from vendors, upgrade
● Quality management surrounding project initiatives, system reviews, disbursement, and reconciliation processes annually according to university enrollment goals
● Works with Associate Director of Compliance on federal processing of student aid, including loans, verification, Pell, return of Title IV, private loans, and federal work-study operations across multiple systems both internally and externally
● Trains staff on new procedures and policies related to the changes in systems and operations
The New School is committed to creating and maintaining an environment that promises diversity and tolerance in all areas of employment, education and access to its educational, artistic or cultural programs and activities. The New School does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, creed, sex or gender (including actual or perceived gender identity or expression or transgender status), sexual orientation, sexual and other reproductive health decisions, pregnancy, religion, religious practices, mental or physical disability, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, veteran status, marital or partnership status, or any other legally protected status.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree.
● Demonstrated strength in critical thinking to identify and lead system solutions for changing/evolving business requirements.
● Direct experience managing staff; excellent communication, presentation and facilitation skills.
● Strong technical background in Enrollment Management Systems (student information systems, customer relations management software, messaging, ticketing, and application processing, etc.) Knowledge of business functions in admissions, financial aid, and registration.
● Advanced knowledge of computer security tools, best practices and policies including demonstrated experience securing server-based software.
● Ability to troubleshoot issues across various platforms and such as computers, VOIP, cabling issues
● Advanced knowledge of PCI DSS compliance and FERPA.
● Experience integrating internal and external systems, including the use of secure file systems such as G5, TD Client, and EdConnect.
● Knowledge of conceptual database design and documentation of policies and procedures.
● The ability to understand and develop complex reports involving in-depth data analysis including an understanding of topics such as revenue modeling and disbursement. Late night or early morning work may be required to ensure processes function correctly during the business day.
Preferred Qualifications:
● Experience with Banner, Workday, payment processing, ETL Tools (Hyperion/Tableau), Languages (SQL, HTML5), and CRM system integrations preferred. Other scripting languages such as Javascript/Google Scripts/Perl.
● Demonstrated skill in managing and collaborating with technical staff across the University.
