Sr. Director of Student Accounts

Summary

Position Title

Sr. Director of Student Accounts

Department

Enrollment Management-Student Accounts

Status

Full Time/Exempt

Position Summary

This position is responsible for supporting the success of the Jacksonville University community, as well as the University’s short and long-term financial wellbeing, through the effective management of student accounts and university accounts receivable, as well as through payment collection, administration, and reconciliations. The Director fosters a highly collaborative, enthusiastic, innovative, accessible, engaged, and service-oriented culture for internal and external stakeholders. As a custodian of University funds, the Director of Student Accounts provides leadership and direction for tuition and fee structures, refund processing, billing, receivables, and payments. The Director of Student Account is also responsible for the development and implementation of policies and procedures related to student finances and other areas of responsibility. Finally, the Director is responsible for implementing and maintaining a dynamic and responsive advising and analysis program for students and stakeholders, ensuring compliance, working collaboratively with various university departments, and developing solutions to elevated requests and concerns.

Essential Job Duties

  • Direct, supervise, and mentor employees to develop and maintain a high-performance culture that values accountability, leadership, sound planning, service, and excellent execution. Set and evaluates goals for team member performance and actively develop team members.
  • Lead and participate in strategic planning, departmental goal setting and evaluation, and continuous process and service improvement.
  • Present a consistent voice for the department and foster mutual respect and understanding amongst internal and external stakeholders in a manner that improves support services.
  • Oversee the student accounts receivable program, including, but not limited to, billing, payment plans, account reconciliations, payment administration, collection procedures, write-offs, bad debt, resolving discrepancies, and communication.
  • Coordinate the accurate preparation and completion of state and federal tax forms and reports including, but not limited to forms 1098T and 1042S. Ensure timely submittal of payments and reports to the IRS and other government entities.
  • Prepare, evaluate, and process student account refunds in accordance with Title IV regulations, federal and state law, and University policy.
  • Manage third-party billings for payment by government entities, employers, and other outside organizations.
  • Maintain and update billing tables in the University’s financial system to assure all revenue and expenses are reflected appropriately in the general ledger.
  • Utilize discretion in the enforcement and application of University policies, including, but not limited to, holds, collections placements, late fees, policy exceptions, drops, withdrawals, and appeals.
  • Analyze student accounts for accuracy, resolve discrepancies in a timely manner and ensure the proper posting of all charges and payments.
  • Partner with the university bookstore, health center, dining services, housing, and other departments to ensure the timely assessment, and accuracy of, charges.
  • Coordinate Title IV, federal, state, and VA payment receipts, including, but not limited to, maintaining compliance with federal, state, and institutional disbursement and collection policies, posting of financial aid and government payments, drawing down funds in collaboration with finance and financial aid, reconciling awards, and ensuring the timely processing of student disbursements and refunds.
  • Oversee and maintain merchant and payment services, including, but not limited to, online and credit card payment systems. Ensure our processing methods are modern and meet the changing needs of those we serve.
  • Serve as the principal liaison to partners and vendors associated with students accounts and merchant services, including, but not limited to, payment processing companies and collections agencies. In addition, this position is the principal audit liaison for student financial services and ensures the timely and accurate completion of audit requests.
  • Collaborate with enrollment management, financial aid, registrar’s office, housing, student affairs, academic affairs, finance, and other internal departments to ensure student account accuracy and the proper flow of information.
  • Using excellent judgment, create systems, structures, and processes to prioritize requests, activities, and workflows in a customer-friendly manner.
  • Facilitate the use of data to inform decision-making and planning.
  • Perform special studies, research, and analysis of financial, student account, AR & budget matters and provides recommendations for courses of action.
  • Oversee the posting and accuracy of all general ledger and accounting matters associated with student accounts, DolphinCard, AR, enrollment-driven revenue, loans, grants, and other sources of revenue.
  • Run regular processes in the University finance system.
  • Partner with the finance team to ensure the timely completion of monthly and year-end close processes.
  • Collaborate with the finance team to manage the University’s accounts receivable program, including, but not limited to, billing, processing payments, customer service, and collections.
  • Ensure compliance with all federal, state, local, and institutional laws, policies, and procedures.
  • Manage the student health insurance program for all students. This includes, but is not limited to, vendor relations, billing, verifying waivers, and reconciling payments.
  • Communicate effectively to students, parents, faculty, staff, partners, and other stakeholders via all communication methods.
  • Participate in various University events and committees as assigned.
  • Serve as a politically savvy proactive leader, a forward thinker, and a self-starter who can read the culture, determine where there is a need, develop a solution, and then tactfully present proposals to the Vice President and senior leadership.
  • Coordinate, in collaboration with financial aid and the finance team, the accurate posting of internal and external financial aid to student accounts to include, but not limited to, reporting, updating billing statements, and refund processing.
  • Manage the University’s petty cash program to include, but not limited to, safeguarding resources, ensuring compliance, and accurate reporting.
  • Serve as a working manager on the team and serves as a backup to team members.
  • Performs other duties as assigned

Special Skills

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Critical thinking and analysis and appropriate decision making.
  • Professional, positive, and energetic leader able to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships.
  • Progressive thinking with a commitment to continuous improvement.
  • Strong initiative with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities
  • Student-focused and strong commitment to superior customer service.
  • Proficiency in computers and software including Microsoft Office suite

Work Conditions

  • Air-conditioned building
  • Office environment

Physical Requirements

  • Manual dexterity to efficiently operate a computer keyboard and scientific equipment
  • Near vision sufficient to read written communications and computer display screens
  • Adequate hearing to communicate effectively in person and by phone

Prerequisites Required for Position

Minimum Education Requirement

  • Master’s degree in a related field or a combination of relevant education and experience

Minimum Work Experience

  • Accounting, business operations, banking or related financial business
  • Managerial experience and the ability to professionally handle difficult situations.
  • Team leadership experience
  • Computer experience with Microsoft office suite and higher education software.
  • Reporting and financial analysis experience
  • Problem solving and project management experience
  • Customer service and advising experience

Preferred Qualifications

  •  Master’s degree in accounting or business
  • Experience in higher education accounting, collections, AR, and student/customer financial services
  • Must be an effective leader who can build and sustain leadership and management in a complex organization and who has a track record of sustaining cooperative working relationships across a complex and diverse organization.
  • Must be able to independently set priorities to meet the needs of the organization and achieve needed results.
  • At least 5 years of related experience with at least three (3) years supervisory/leadership experience
  • Experience in the resolution of complaints and disputes; demonstrated ability to balance adherence to policies with a need to support student success

Important Note

This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required for this position. The University reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs.

To Apply

Please submit your application form, cover letter, resume and list of references to Michele Roth at mroth3@ju.edu.