Description

Reporting to the AVP for Financial Aid and Scholarships, the Senior Director of Financial Aid Systems (SDFAS) manages Financial Aid operations through the use of technology including the Banner Financial Aid system, Cognos reporting, SQL reporting, BDM document management, Reports Manager, GlobalECS, and other software.  Serves as the functional and technical expert of technology and systems (Primarily but not limited to Axiom, Ellucian Banner, Cognos, EDEexpress, CSS Profile, Rapid Insight, etc.) supporting and providing Systems support and leadership  functions for all units but directly for the AVP/Director of Financial Aid and Scholarship Office (FASO) and other (FASO) staff members, to lead the technical administration all aspects of the financial aid process, which includes but not limited to being in compliance and in development, administration and interpretation of financial aid policies and procedures in accordance with established federal, state and institutional guidelines. The DFAS will have a dotted line to the AVP of Operations and Student Services and also be primary representative of EMG to University CTS and cross-functional units especially the registrar and other connected services, as well as other enrollment systems, integrations, platforms, and processes, including, but not limited to Technolutions Slate and vendor partnerships such as CSS profile, INAS, EAB etc. The SDFAS is a key member of EMG for operational excellence and will ensure the data integrity needed by the department for the high-quality execution of technology-supported financial aid, student services, business processes, data reporting and analytics. The SDFAS will centralize the systems to operationalize all aspects of the Financial Aid and scholarship process for financial aid, and coordinate same with admissions, and retention. Works independently and is expected to exercise discretion and independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities, including but not limited to, executing financial aid strategies for all university funds.  Supports Enrollment Management goals to manage net revenues and discount, recruit and retain students. Provides leadership and direction for the policies, procedures, and operations involved with the awarding and delivery of financial aid and scholarship programs, undergraduate and graduate enrollment processing, and integrations across university functions.

Continuously report to, coordinate and consult with Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Configure, maintain, and improve Financial Aid processes.

Oversee, review, and test Banner and provide data to outside sources. Functions as the data steward to ensure data integrity, accreditation standards, privacy laws and best practices for Banner (Admissions), COGNOS (Admissions) and Slate. Conducts Cognos testing during system upgrades.

Create, maintain, and review daily integrity and reconciliation reports to ensure compliance and system operation. Performs Cognos query reports for schools across campus in relation to endowed scholarship candidate searches. 

Serves as the CTS liaison and functional and technical expert for the Enrollment Management Group and assists with current and new technology used within the division and serves on other campus-wide committees such as the ECC, Data Standards and Shadow Systems to ensure division data are collected and reported correctly.

Interprets all financial aid technical findings within the tracking, imports and processes then makes and implements appropriate resolutions.

Engages with student information systems to ensure availability of real-time, user-centric data that serves the diverse needs of college constituencies-academic departments, enrollment division and executive leadership.

Complete external financial aid surveys for the university; complete reports for Enrollment Management to show trends and forecasts for enrollment goals. Create annual communication for current student body.

Assists in the development of enrollment modeling and projection databases.

Provides analytical support by identifying trends within the data and brings them to the attention of enrollment leadership.

Discount Rate statistics

Enrollment comparisons to budget and prior year statistics

Retention statistic

Assists and works closely with the Assistant Vice President of Operations and Student Services on operations management, data collection, analysis, and strategy formation.

Review existing technology systems (primarily Banner and Technolutions Slate) instances to ensure the system supports all offices that utilize the platform. This includes creating training documents and providing training to users based on their role within the system.

Develop detailed tasks and project plans by analyzing project scope and milestones for moderately complex projects.

Document code and associated processes by adhering to development methodologies, adding code comments and appropriate documentation to various knowledge-based system(s) to simplify code maintenance and to improve support. Provide written documentation of findings to share with colleagues.

Represent financial aid at technology and operations meetings. Participates in professional development and performs other duties and projects as assigned. Attends admissions recruitment events (e.g., DuquesneFest, Fall Open House, etc.).

Supervises work of others, including planning, assigning, scheduling and reviewing work, ensuring quality standards. Is responsible for hiring, terminating, training and developing, reviewing performance and administering corrective action for staff. Plans organizational structure and job content.

Completes other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

8+ years of work-related experience.

Expert level skills in Ellucian in general and Banner Financial Aid specifically; Highly skilled in SQL programming, Python if possible as well; Generally tech-savvy and can learn new software independently and quickly.

Preferred qualifications:

Very strong technical knowledge of FAMS system (Banner/Ellucian preferred).

Proficiency with PC, Microsoft Office tools, email and the Internet with the ability to learn a variety of new technology systems; technical knowledge of Power BI; knowledge of COGNOS; familiarity with Slate and Banner preferred.

Alternately, the successful candidate may possess any equivalent combination of experience and training, which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Extensive Knowledge and understanding of federal, states and agency-accrediting rules and regulations as they pertain to higher education admission. Very strong knowledge of federal and state regulations concerning financial aid, as well as NCAA regulations;

Knowledge of Federal sites such as EDconnect, NSLDS, CPS, and COD; and PHEAA site;

A broad understanding of higher education processes and procedures, including shared governance, strategic planning, resource allocation and budget management;

Highly developed interpersonal, analytic, problem-solving, organizational and communication skills, including the ability to listen thoughtfully and respectfully to a diverse population of constituents and stakeholders;

Strong communication skills, both oral and written providing the ability to effectively communicate with multiple internal and external constituents;

Ensures compliance with Federal and State laws pertaining to financial aid, affirmative action and FERPA;

Membership and active engagement in appropriate national student service organizations, such as NASFA and PASFA;

Sensitivity to the need of each individual to be treated with dignity and respect as it relates to diversity in general and the Mission of the University specifically;

Proactive, strategic, analytical and deadline-oriented in a complex organization;

Ability and willingness to work outside of regular business hours and some weekends during peak enrollment periods;

Ability to prepare and maintain confidential data independently in accordance with established policies and procedures and exercise consistent discretion;

Considerable knowledge of the laws, regulations and policies governing the operations of the University;

Ability to create and maintain complex records and files;

Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends as needed during peak enrollment periods;
Ability to exceed recruitment goals, facilitate staff development opportunities, exhibit teamwork, model analytical & critical thinking, engage in creative problem solving and demonstrate high levels of time management and organizational skills.

Ability to work with diverse populations and sensitivity to the needs of each individual to be treated with dignity and respect as related to diversity in general and the Mission of the University specifically; and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the University Community.

Commitment to the University’s values of diversity, equity and inclusion, and recognition of the importance of treating each individual with dignity and respect consistent with the University’s Mission.  Demonstrated experience with, and understanding of, the broad diversity of the University community (students, faculty, staff and others).

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the University Community.

Ability and willingness to contribute actively to the mission of the University and to respect the Spiritan Catholic identity of Duquesne University.  The mission is implemented through a commitment to academic excellence, a spirit of service, moral and spiritual values, sensitivity to world concerns, and an ecumenical campus community.