Business Analyst III

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

The Office of Student Financial Aid ( OSFA) manages and executes the
financial aid operations, programs, and processes for the campus. OSFA
oversees the administration of federal, state, and institutional aid provided to
the UGA student body. With approximately 42 employees OSFA has
responsibility for all financial aid received by the UGA student body in the
form of grants, scholarships, loans, and work programs. OSFA annually
administers in excess of $500 million in student financial aid for UGA
students.

Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm. Some evening or weekend hours may be
needed. Some travel may be needed for trainings, conferences, etc.

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( hrweb@uga.edu).

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Prior experience working in student financial aid preferred

This is an advanced professional position that leads complex research, analytical, technical, and data management work supporting student financial aid and enrollment management. The position provides strategic analysis and technical expertise to help improve the delivery, administration, and monitoring of student financial aid programs and related institutional processes. The position leads research and operational projects involving student financial aid, enrollment management, financial aid systems, business intelligence, data analysis, reporting, predictive modeling, and management information systems. The position independently evaluates complex operational and policy issues, develops analytical solutions and models, interprets results, and turns findings into useful information for the Office of Student Financial Aid ( OSFA) and University administration. Working closely with the Associate Director for Banner Operations & Research, this position identifies and implements system and process changes needed to address federal, state, and institutional policy changes and improve the delivery of student financial aid. The position also helps develop, monitor, and coordinate enrollment management research initiatives.

Demonstrated ability to acquire new technical and analytical skills, apply them in the development of solutions, and effectively convey new knowledge to colleagues. Excellent communication and organizational skills needed.

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Lead and conduct research and analysis related to student financial aid, enrollment management, student populations, and University operations. Develop research projects, determine appropriate methods, oversee data collection and analysis, and use the results to support decision-making. Analyze complex issues related to awarding, monitoring, and disbursing student financial aid and develop data-informed solutions.
Create, improve, and document analytical tools and solutions that address business and operational needs. Develop models, reports, dashboards, and other tools to identify trends, evaluate results, forecast potential impacts, and support planning. Turn complex data and research findings into clear, useful information for both technical and non-technical audiences, including University leadership.
Support enrollment management research by helping develop, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate research projects and initiatives. Look for ways to improve data quality, reporting processes, operational efficiency, and the use of data in decision-making. Make sure research projects and analytical tools are well documented, easy to maintain, and aligned with University goals and applicable policies.

Analyze business and system needs and develop clear functional and technical requirements for new applications and system enhancements. Work with stakeholders to understand their needs, define project goals and workflows, and turn business requirements into practical technical solutions. Develop or coordinate application enhancements and improvements.

Design, develop, test, implement, and document websites, applications, and other technical solutions using appropriate programming languages, development tools, databases, and technologies. Support and enhance OSFA applications and systems, and evaluate existing systems to identify opportunities to improve functionality, security, efficiency, usability, and integration.

Provide production support when needed and troubleshoot complex technical issues that affect business operations. Work closely with the Associate Director for Banner Operations & Research to identify and implement Banner and related system changes needed to meet federal, state, and University financial aid requirements.

Work with campus technology partners and external vendors, as needed, to develop, implement, and support technical solutions.

Cultivates effective working relationships between IT and client community to maintain ongoing awareness of information needs and uses. Gathers information from and meets with users and technical staff to determine technical and non-technical processes, procedures and business needs for documentation. Reviews documentation products and written procedures for clarity, applicability and efficiency. Remains current on financial aid issues and regulations on both the federal, state and institutional level. Demonstrates understanding of complex business practices, and effectively convey knowledge to colleagues.

Develops, implements, and documents quality control measures to insure integrity of student financial aid processing, including the timeliness and accuracy of awarding and disbursements, using both regular and ad hoc reports.

Attends national, regional, state, and institutional conferences, workshops, webinars and other training opportunities to maintain compliance with current financial aid program requirements and to provide on-time training for other staff as needed.