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Associate Director - Student Accounts
The Culinary Institute of America

POSITION SUMMARY

The Associate Director of Student Accounts is responsible for managing the traditional responsibilities of a one-stop Student Financial Services office, supervises staff and assists the Director in maintaining compliance.

 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Provides leadership and support to the department staff ensuring high quality customer service by providing training and development, guidance on regulations and policies and preparing and conducting performance evaluations.
  • Provides first class student–focused support, utilizing workshops, individual appointments, web tools, e-mail, social media and telephone contact to disseminate accurate, clear and timely information on all aspects of student finance.
  • Assists the Director in the recruitment and hiring of high performance team members.
  • Proactively uses technology to improve processes and office efficiencies.
  • Assists with audits and compliance reporting.
  • Provides direct support to students and parents regarding student account concerns, particularly ensuring satisfactory resolution of problems escalated to the administrative level.
  • Analyzes and resolves any discrepancies in student accounts concerning charges, balances, holds, financial aid, fees and adjustments then develop the appropriate plan of action and response.
  • Collaborates with inter-campus offices, including but not limited to Admissions, Registrar and Academic Advising, to improve the students’ experience with the department by providing appropriate and timely communication and customer service.
  • Partners with other Associate Directors of Student Financial Planning to ensure cohesion of all aspects of student financial planning.
  • Supports the maintenance of the knowledge management protocols for Student Financial Planning, ensuring that information is efficiently communicated within the department, to all applicable stakeholders and to students / families. Assists with the development of FAQ's and knowledge databases as required.
  • Presents at and participates in team meetings and student forums, as required, to disseminate information.
  • Ensures functions of the Registrars, Academic Advising and other offices, that are supported by the one-stop student services area, are performed at the highest level of service and efficiency.
  • Serves on various institutional and association committees.

Student Accounts Receivable Assignments:

  • Assists the Director with reviewing and updating the annual fees and cost, billing procedures reports, the Student Financial Services and Planning pages on the website and portal, student communications, business processes, and the department’s policies and procedures manual.
  • Assists the Director with managing third party contracts and software relating to billing, payment plans and collections including Touch Net.
  • Oversees Veterans Administration Educational Benefits programs including but not limited to institutional eligibility, sponsored billing, invoicing and student certification.
  • Designated employee responsible for 1098T filings and satisfying all reporting requirements.
  • Reads, interprets, administers and ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, deadlines and school policies as they apply to student financial accounts and services.
  • Determines the use of professional judgment as defined by Institutional Policy, analyzing the data and student’s financial situation to make exceptions to the student’s financial record.
  • Analyzes and prepares reports regarding student accounts and other areas as needed.
  • Oversees timely processing and preparation of student accounts for transmittal by the Accounting Office.
  • Oversees the cashiering functions.
  • Manages office responsibilities, including but not limited to, student advising, SAP review, costs, indebtedness, financial planning, refunds, documentation requests and collection, cashiering, collections, billing, payments and payment plans and R2T4 for all CIA campuses.

Financial Aid Assignments:

  • Assists the Director with reviewing and updating the annual Costs of Attendance (COA), packaging procedures, reports, the Student Financial Services and Planning pages on the website and portal, student communications, business processes and the department’s policies and procedures manual.
  • Assists the Director with managing third party contracts and software relating to financial aid, including the Net Price Calculator and Perkins servicer.
  • Reads, interprets, administers and ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, deadlines and school policies, as they apply to federal, state and institutional student aid.
  • Determines the use of professional judgment for financial aid as defined by the Department of Education regulations, analyzing the data and student’s financial situation to make exceptions to the student’s financial aid record.
  • Analyzes and prepares reports regarding student aid programs and other areas as needed.
  • Oversees student loan programs, including but not limited to, Direct Loans, Perkins Loans and Private Loans ensuring proper awarding, eligibility, disbursement and reconciliation.
  • Oversees grant and scholarship programs including Federal Pell and SEOG, NYS TAP, Cal Grant, institutional, expendable and endowed funds.
  • Oversees the proper importing and exporting of data to the US Department of Education via the Colleague system to the various government data bases.
  • Manages office responsibilities, including but not limited to, student advising, ISIR review, needs analysis, packaging, SAP review, verification, eligibility criteria, application procedures, financial planning, documentation requests and collection.
  • Ensures the timely processing and preparation of Title IV and other student financial aid for transmittal by the Accounting Office.
  • Any and all other duties as assigned.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

  • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in financial, student accounts or other related area.

Experience:

  • Three (3) – five (5) years of experience working in student finance, financial aid or student accounts.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  •  Supervisory experience.
  • Experience training employees.
  • Prior experience advising and counseling of students and families in student financial areas.

 

REQUIRED SKILLS

  • Experience with Ellucian Colleague or other similar system such as Banner.
  • Knowledge of Federal Title IV regulations.
  • Commitment to student service.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving and conceptual skills.
  • Ability to use sound judgement and discretion in handling sensitive issues with confidentiality and discretion. Ability to collaborate with others and exercise sensitivity to matters of confidentiality.
  • Must be able to handle details, assume responsibility and maintain confidentiality in all circumstances.
  • Ability to work independently or in a team environment and maintain collaborative relationships.
  • Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills; ability to be adaptable, dependable and handle multiple priorities simultaneously.
  • Ability to multi-task and handle multiple priorities simultaneously. Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
  • Detail oriented and thorough; accuracy and attention to detail are imperative.
  • Exceptional organizational skills.
  • Excellent written, verbal communication and presentation skills required. Must have demonstrated ability in organizational, time management, problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
  • Must have a proven, consistent track record showing the ability to work with all levels within an organization.
  • Strong computer experience, which must include abilities to work effectively with student information systems and MS Office Suite products, i.e. Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

 

WORKING CONDITIONS

  • Ability to travel periodically due to business needs
  • Must be able to work nights and weekends as required due to business needs.
  • Able to bend, stoop or reach as needed.
  • Regular work requires a great deal of sitting for extended periods of time.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

At The Culinary Institute of America, it is important to us that we support our employees with a substantial and meaningful package of benefits.  We believe in supporting our employees with benefits to assist with work life balance.

Benefits are offered based on the position type and status. Benefits offered may include;

  • Medical and prescription drug plan
  • Dental plan, Vision plan
  • Insurance: Life, Home, Auto, even Pet!
  • Short- and long-term disability plans
  • Generous paid time off programs, including paid holidays
  • Retirement savings plan 403(b) with company contribution
  • Employee assistance program
  • Tuition assistance programs
  • And more!

Link to the job https://recruiting.ultipro.com/CUL1001CLNRY/JobBoard/5d1a692d-cf6b-4b4f-8652-c60b25898609/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=1a6340be-2454-4a82-be76-f72cb18fa9ea