Assistant Director

About the Job

This position reports to the Associate Director of Student Account Assistance & Third-Party Billing and works collaboratively with the One Stop management team to provide leadership within the organization to support the management and oversight of all Third-Party Billing operations and Student Account Assistance payment processing operations. This position is expected to be an effective manager of both people and projects, and is committed to providing and improving service through operational excellence and continuous improvement.

This position is responsible for the direct supervision of 4 Principal Account Specialists.
Primary responsibilities include hiring, coaching, supervising and evaluating staff, promoting a high level of customer service, and overseeing day-to-day functions of third party billing and student account payment processing. This position serves as a central point of contact, providing guidance and fostering collaboration with students, departments, and outside sponsoring agencies to ensure seamless and efficient operations. This position also requires a high degree of professional judgment, training, critical thinking, and project management skills to be successful working with University and system wide projects and initiatives.

Academic Support Resources supports hybrid and flexible working arrangements. Work arrangements are determined in coordination with supervisors depending on the nature of the unit and position. The arrangement for this position will be determined upon hire between employee and supervisor.

For more information on flexible work arrangements, please visit this link: https://hr.umn.edu/Employees/Current-Employees/Work-Flexibility/Overview-Work-Flexibility

Essential Job Functions

Supervision/Management: (50%)

• Responsible for the daily supervision of four full-time staff and the indirect supervision of two student employees including hiring, training, performance management, and coaching.
• Establish work priorities, assignments, and deadlines for staff.
• Partner with staff to provide the necessary tools and resources to perform their jobs efficiently and effectively.
• Manage the entire lifecycle of the third-party billing process from authorization receipt to payment.
• Assist customers and staff with complex issues, providing resolution for all referrals from internal and external units.
• Solve escalated, complex issues using professional judgment and individual discretion.
• Conduct high level policy decisions regarding third-party billing, student tuition account management, and borrower loan account management.
• Identify inefficiencies to promote operational excellence and coordinate process improvements of service to students and the University community.
• Serve as authorized signer when required by sponsored authorization.
• Demonstrate and promote a high level of customer service. Demonstrate and support a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Project and Process Management: (20%)

• Lead or provide direction on large scale projects that strategically enhance One Stop Student Services and University goals including, but not limited to:
  Internal and external billing authorizations
  Full-time Staff Training
  Academic Support Resources/One Stop Student Services Communications related to Student Account Assistance and Third-Party Billing
  Financial Wellness
• Provide leadership and oversight of the payment processing operations for student tuition/fees account receivables, third-party billing receivables, and student loans received via online payment vendors, lockbox, in person, direct mail or wire. Work collaboratively with the Office of Student Finance-Fiscal unit on reconciliation, research, and review of any payment processing matters.
• Serve as a unit representative on the System Student Finance Council (SSFC) and System Financial Aid Council (SFAC).

University and Community Ambassador for Student Account Assistance/Third-Party Billing (20%)

• Orchestrate collaboration efforts amongst Academic Support Resources units and other University departments (e.g., Office of Information Technology, Tax Office, College of Continuing and Professional Students, International Student and Scholar Services, University of Minnesota system campuses, and collegiate units etc.) to promote University goals of operational efficiency and the creation of a welcoming University environment.
• Act as a coordinating entity for various university officials to ensure multi-faceted student situations are managed with care and confidentiality.
• Provide knowledge, expertise, and solution options to complex university policy or procedural situations.
• Present and train on new concepts and best practices at local, regional, and national conferences, and share knowledge with national higher education leaders.
• Attend training, workshops, and other professional development opportunities to maintain and increase knowledge base.

Reconciliation, Reporting, and Analytics (10%)

• Work collaboratively with the Office of Student Finance-Fiscal unit staff on the reconciliation of the loans cash clearing account, campus-based loan funds, student tuition receivables, and third-party payments.
• Work collaboratively with Office of Student Finance-Fiscal unit staff and Morrill Hall Shared Services staff to ensure the General Ledger processing is working correctly, and that staff use proper account strings and processes to produce all needed documents.
• Perform data analysis and provide reporting surrounding payment processing and third-party invoicing.
• Oversee and manage vendor payment processing. Lead efforts to investigate and resolve
  discrepancies related to check and electronic fund transfer transactions, ensuring timely and accurate financial reconciliation.
  

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree with at least 6 years of relevant work experience or master's degree with at least 4 years of relevant work experience
• Ability to analyze and interpret data and make independent decisions
• Sensitive to cultural diversity and ability to communicate and interact effectively with people of all ages and identities
• Ability to multitask and prioritize work for self and others
• Effective communication and customer service skills

Preferred Qualifications (Core Competencies)

• Experience working at the University of Minnesota or a similar multi-campus university
• PeopleSoft experience (i.e., Campus Solutions, PeopleSoft Financials/Enterprise Financial System)
• Salesforce Customer Relationship Management experience
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and ability to communicate and build relationships across departments
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities

The mission of Academic Support Resources (ASR) is to make a positive difference in students' lives. ASR is committed to cultivating and sustaining an environment that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We are better equipped to serve and represent our University community by ensuring our culture values differences and individuality.

The knowledge, skills, and abilities of all ASR employees include job knowledge, communication, problem solving/analysis, development, leadership, teamwork, and customer service.

Student Account Assistance and Third-Party Billing are units within the One Stop Student Services umbrella of student services. One Stop provides quality, professional service in support of students' academic and financial objectives. The Student Account Assistance and Third-Party Billing units provide management and oversight of student account tuition/fee billing/receivables, student loan billing of various campus-based programs, student
loan entrance/exit counseling, federal tax reporting (1098T & 1098E), collections of delinquent student tuition accounts and student loan accounts, and the billing and collection of tuition and fees to both internal and external sponsors.

Pay Range: $70,000 - $77,000 depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 75%-100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Priority application deadline 1/20/25.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).