Associate Director, Financial Aid Technology

Job Summary

Manages information technology support for the financial aid department which administers student financial assistance programs including scholarships, grants, loans and student work arrangements. Support services include new system testing, information processing operations and liaison with campus and external IT support organizations. Responsible for setting employee goals, assessing employee performance and providing feedback, and working with HR on pay recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Leads system testing/implementations for OSFA including student information system and all related technologies
• Supervises and coordinates daily system operations including loading and transmission to and from external entities
• Confers with the Office of Information Technology and external service providers on OSFA technology related issues
• Maintains system documentation and procedures.
• Supervises assigned IT staff, including training, planning, organizing activities and monitoring performance
• Develops, maintains, and assesses BANNER based rules and management queries to ensure compliance and achieve efficiencies and effectiveness
• Leads and supervises OSFA's Technical and Systems unit and serves as a member of OSFA Leadership Team
• Serves as OSFA's primary liaison with University System technical teams
• Serves as Data Security Officer for data received and stored by OSFA
• Coordinates all system development and discovery efforts in close collaboration with OSFA Leadership Team and Campus partners
• Implements and manages records policies and procedures focused on student success
• Coordinates all student processes that relate to the department's functions
• Executes reports related to record audits, interprets results, delivers analysis and resolutions
• Actively engages with the department leadership and proposes ideas and solutions for successful progress of the operation
• Leads meetings regarding financial aid projects, especially technology related projects
• Provides leadership and support to department, division, and university stakeholders
• Develops, trains, implements, maintains, and communicates services and programs to relevant stakeholders
• Ensures compliance with all federal, state, NCAA, USG and Kennesaw State rules and regulations
• Contributes and participates in the strategic planning process and future direction of the department and/or division

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a related field.

Eight (8) years relevant experience with an extensive working knowledge of and experience accessing data in Banner (Ellucian) and experience with reporting and query tools and coding in SQL (or gathering data from other related database systems).

Preferred Qualifications

• NASFAA Credentials
• An advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a related field

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Able to maintain compliant records of all transactions between the University and outside reporting entities.
• Able to prioritize problem resolution based on business need, timelines, and scale of impact.
• Proactively search for improvement opportunities.
• Able to work in partnership with staff, faculty, administrators, federal/state entities, and servicers to ensure student success.
• Possess the ability to identify source causes for data quality issues.
• Supports the creation and maintenance of standard operating procedures including process documentation such as workflows, specifications, and responsibility assignment.
• Able to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time meeting assigned deadlines.
• Working knowledge of and abide by the regulations of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Higher Education Act (HEA) as amended.
• Possess knowledge of SQL and ORACLE PL/SQL.
• Familiarity with HTTP, XML, Toad.
• Experience in creating and analyzing detailed reports and providing effective presentations.
• Extensive knowledge of Banner (Ellucian Banner ERP), enabling individuals to understand/recognize system needs, troubleshoot, and adequately resolve concerns.
• Extensive working and tested knowledge of State Program rules and regulations, as they pertain to Financial Aid in the State of Georgia and Title IV rules and regulations, as they pertain to Federal Student Financial Aid.
• Demonstrated experience leading compliance efforts involving federal, state, and institutional financial aid.
• Demonstrated understanding of the revenue impact each function has in the Financial Aid Office and the ability to address performance and operations to eliminate any negative effect to the University.
• Successful track record in planning, coordinating, and completing large scale, detail‑oriented projects and events.
• Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem solving, independent judgment, technology, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management and presentation skills.
• Advanced analytical thinking and creative skills to find compliant solutions to complex situations.
• Self‑motivated with the ability to learn new and enhanced concepts quickly.
• Conflict management and resolution skills, high level of empathy and ability to deal with difficult and confidential situations.
• Gather and organize data and information to inform decision‑making.
• Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite, Ellucian Banner Financial Aid Module, USG GA Modifications to Banner, Common Origination and Disbursement, Central Processing System, Surfer, and the National Student Loan Data System) and knowledge of all relational databases.
• Strong attention to detail and follow up skills.
• Strong customer service skills and phone and e‑mail etiquette.

Other Information

• This is a supervisory position.
• This position has financial responsibilities.
• This position will not be required to drive.
• This role is considered a position of trust.
• This position does not require a purchasing card (P‑Card).
• This position may travel 1% - 24% of the time.
• This position does not require security clearance.

Background Check

• Credit Report
• Standard Enhanced
• Education

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all employees. In accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus or in connection with a University program or activity.

For additional information on this policy or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, contacts may be made with the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225,

#J-18808-Ljbffr