Department Business Systems Senior Analyst (Financial Aid)
Southern Methodist University Inc

Job Info

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Description

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and 90 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, hands-on research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs. The University offers a strong foundation in the humanities and sciences and undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs through eight schools.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is increasingly recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical leaders in their professions and communities. On the most beautiful college campus in the country, SMU Mustangs are energized by unbridled opportunities - from teaching, learning and research to creativity, performance and athletic endeavor.

About the Position:

The Department Business Systems Senior Analyst oversees operational and technical functions for the Financial Aid department. This position provides key support for the complex Oracle/PeopleSoft financial aid systems module primarily responsible for implementing computer system requirements by defining and analyzing system gaps, analyzing future system business needs and creating solutions that are aligned with the strategic goals of the university. This role includes reporting and analysis of financial aid business processes. The position also provides leadership in the continuous evaluation of system tools and serves as a subject matter expert in the development of strategies to leverage technology and systems that meet financial aid processing needs. This position collaborates with the Associate Director of Production and Operations, Financial Aid staff, OIT staff, and other departments to help maintain the financial aid system.

Essential Functions:

• Setup and management of the mass packaging process for undergraduate and graduate students. Oversees the automation of packaging to optimize efficiency in timely awarding and reconciling of financial aid awards. Must keep all packaging plans and equations up to date with federal, state, and institutional policies/regulations.
  
• Serve as the financial aid module lead and system support lead for the technology team. This includes making decisions for the financial aid module in system processing/projects and applying security to the financial aid module. This incumbent will collaborate with the Associate Director of Production & Operations, financial aid staff, OIT staff, and other departments to help maintain the financial aid system.
  
• Analysis of future system business needs, effectively developing and implementing system enhancements, performing quality control measures to address system compliance, documenting financial aid processes, gap analysis, and ensuring data integrity for the financial aid module.
  
• Manages and coordinates yearly setup to begin processing the aid year and semester of reports, processes and calendars. This includes aid year rollover, authorization disbursement calendars, budgets and process scheduler jobs. In addition, maintains system setup throughout the year for new item types, disbursement plans, 60% dates and Financial Aid calendar controls.
  
• Perform quality control tasks to monitor processes to ensure Financial Aid is doing its due diligence in awarding and disbursing federal, state, and institutional funds. This incumbent is part of a team that runs quality controls and reports to ensure the financial aid office stays in compliance with federal, state and institutional policies.
  
• Provide daily Financial Aid System support to all financial aid users. The incumbent will troubleshoot and resolve general functional inquires, query request, troubleshoots and resolves other Division of Enrollment Services module inquiries related to financial aid systems, system setup and production related inquires.
  
• Work closely with the Associate Director of Production and Operations and OIT to collaborate in the analysis of yearly regulatory updates, patches, fixes, and system modifications to ensure efficiency and compliance.
  
• Initiate, administer, and monitor daily production processes which include aid year activation, financial aid term, budget assignment, checklist assignment, authorization and disbursement. This position schedules these processes within a PSJOB on process scheduler.
  
• Initiate and administer the Withdrawal Application Process and Hour Audit Process. The incumbent is responsible for canceling all aid, checklists and aid status for students withdrawing their admission decision from SMU and/or not enrolling by census date.
  
• Maintain up to date knowledge of the latest regulations as they pertain to financial aid and completes required training and other duties as assigned. Respond to Financial Aid e-mails and telephone calls. Attends all job related meetings and/or staff development trainings.
  

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree is required.

Five years of work experience utilizing technology and systems in daily business operations, is required.

Knowledge of financial aid in a college/university is preferred.

Experience documenting business requirements and systems performance monitoring is preferred.

Familiarity with technology and methods to support business processes is required.

Experience with Oracle/PeopleSoft is preferred.

Experience with MS Word, Excel and Outlook is required. Must have the ability to learn new software and systems.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must have excellent interpersonal and customer service skills with the ability to interface well with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.

Must have excellent written and oral communication skills.

Candidate must possess excellent organizational skills including effective planning and time management. Candidate must be attentive to details.

Must have strong conceptual thinking and logic, as well as excellent problem solving and analytical skills.

Must be able to work independently as well as collaboratively with others.

Occasional evening or weekend work as needed during peak period of activities during the course of the financial aid year.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
• Handle objects (dexterity)

Deadline to Apply:

This position is open until filled.

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

This job has expired.