Manager of Financial Aid Systems - Operations

Dignity - Respecting the intrinsic value of each person and believing that others act from a foundation of goodwill Courage - Taking risks in the pursuit of new possibilities Humility - Suspending one’s ego and pride to recognize that no idea is perfect and being open to the input of others Resiliency - Investing in the future by adapting to changes, overcoming challenges and pursuing Opportunity Curiosity - Cultivating awe and exploring the unknown Power - The strength to act collaboratively with individual agency to achieve our goals

SECTION II - THE SEAT

At CMU, we look at every position as a seat. Every seat is vital and the individual in the seat contributes significantly to our mission of providing an affordable and accessible education and forming meaningful and mutually enriching partnerships that support the well-being and vibrancy of our community. As a human centric organization, a priority is to ensure we have the “right seats” in our organization, and that the expectations, ownership and accountabilities are defined and communicated clearly for the success of the individuals holding the seats.

The Manager of Financial Aid Systems serves as a key liaison between the Financial Aid department, technology, and campus users. Reporting to the Associate Director of Financial Aid Operations, this position oversees the development, maintenance, and support of technology systems that streamline financial aid processes. This includes managing federal processing systems and systems integration, supporting staff with software and systems troubleshooting, and driving improvements based on data analysis to enhance financial aid workflows. The Manager also collaborates with the Associate Director to plan and execute annual projects and process improvements that align with the university’s goals.

OVERVIEW AND ROLE SCOPE OF TEAM AND/OR TASKS

• Oversight and Development of Departmental Processes:
• Manage and oversee the financial aid department’s technology systems, including database management, project management, and troubleshooting.
• Support training for staff on system changes and software implications for financial aid processes.
• Ensure system upgrades and patches to systems like Banner do not disrupt financial aid processes, advising staff and campus departments of updates and implications.

• Support various financial aid systems, such as Banner, Xtender, and SoftDocs, ensuring alignment with departmental needs and federal regulations.

• Management of Financial Aid Programs and Functions:
• Lead the administration of satisfactory academic progress processes, ensuring federal Title IV compliance.
• Oversee the electronic financial aid data load process, including downloading/uploading application data, resolving discrepancies, and maintaining applicant records in Banner.

• Monitor and reconcile federal funds, including Pell Grants, FWS, and FSEOG, ensuring timely reporting and accurate system balances.

• Data, Analytics, and Process Improvement:
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement by analyzing and implementing data-driven process improvements.
• Generate statistical reports and use data to make decisions that optimize financial aid processes.

• Collaborate with campus departments and upper management to develop and monitor process improvement initiatives.

• Customer Service and Culture:
• Provide high-level customer service by independently handling routine inquiries and resolving complaints.
• Counsel students, families, faculty, and staff on financial aid matters, ensuring clear communication and timely resolutions.
• Support CMU’s one-stop services (IRIS) and participate in financial aid outreach to the community.
• Keep current on federal financial aid regulations and ensure compliance with all processes, including packaging, awarding, and disbursements.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Manager of Financial Aid Systems will supervise and mentor student workers, ensuring proper training, task management, and performance evaluations. As well as contributing to strategic departmental decisions and assisting in the development of policies and procedures.

Accountability to Results

The Manager of Financial Aid Systems is accountable for:

• Maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of the Financial Aid department’s systems.
• Timely resolution of system issues.
• Accuracy of data processing.
• Implementation of process improvements.
• Quality of customer service provided to students and other stakeholders.

C ore Processes

Ensuring clarity and efficiency in our processes is key to the success of our team. The Manager of Financial Aid Systems owns and contributes to the following processes:

Owned Processes:

• Financial Aid Systems Management and Support
• Continuous Process Improvement Initiatives

Contributor:

• Federal Processing Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Strong understanding of federal financial aid processes and systems, including compliance with Title IV regulations.
• Proficiency in database management, project management, and troubleshooting financial aid systems.
• Expertise in data analysis and process improvement methodologies.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with financial aid management systems (e.g., Banner, Cognos), programming languages similar to SQL.

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

• Collaboration & Communication:
• Excellent communication skills, capable of working with diverse campus departments, students, and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to train and provide guidance to staff and stakeholders on financial aid systems and processes.
• Ability to deliver presentations and training materials to both internal and external audiences., + An earned Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution is required.
• At least 1 year of experience in systems management, database administration, or a similar field, including SQL report development. Alternatively, a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or a related field.
• Proven experience with process improvement in a technical or administrative context.

• Preferred: Previous experience in a higher education financial aid environment.

• Core Skills:
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Knowledge of legal and regulatory frameworks governing financial aid.
• Preferred: Experience with Banner or other enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
• Preferred: Experience with COGNOS or similar data analytics tools.
• Preferred: Familiarity eith JavaScript and SQL., Colorado Mesa University is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and who have a demonstrated commitment to improving the levels of access and success for underrepresented students within higher education.

Pulled from the full job description

• Health insurance
• Retirement plan
• Opportunities for advancement, $54,000-$58,000

Commensurate with education and experience. Excellent health and retirement benefits package

At CMU, we believe in acting from a foundation of goodwill. This belief gives us the courage to form meaningful relationships, embark on joint endeavors and take risks in the pursuit of new possibilities. It’s this courage that enables the Mavily to explore new ways of thinking and doing, knowing that there is no perfect solution, no perfect idea.

From this place of humility and courage, we’ve built a culture of resilience. We invest in the future by continuously adapting to change, overcoming challenges, and seizing new opportunities. We recognize that change is constant, and our resilience allows us to embrace it with confidence. Endless curiosity drives us to approach the unexpected as if it were expected, seeing opportunities for discovery and renewal in every challenge. In this community rooted in love and dignity, curiosity thrives, leading to endless opportunities for growth and advancement.

Inspired by the soul of the West-the spirit that our region embodies-we emerge as a force for positive change, harnessing our collective power to build a Human Scale University that reflects our values and brings to life our shared vision of the world we aspire to create.