Financial Aid Systems Manager

Description

Position Summary:

The Financial Aid Systems Manager is a position within Information Technology Services that is responsible for the technical operations of the Financial Aid department, including the Banner Financial Aid module, auxiliary applications (Perceptive Content, Dynamic Forms, Argos, etc.), and various reporting tools. Qualified candidates must be proficient in writing SQL. This role requires a blend of student financial aid functional knowledge, programming and technical expertise, data analysis skills, and an ability to provide support and maintenance of the various software systems used in the office. This position is governed by state and federal laws, and agency/institution policy.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary programming and technical contact for the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

• Provide daily technical and user support for the Banner Financial Aid module.

• Conduct data analytics to ensure aid is being awarded in the most effective manner and to gain insight into the factors influencing students.

• Responsible for developing and coordinating technical training for staff.

• Document workflows and results of system analysis.

• Create and modify reports and surveys requested by university or external departments and agencies.

• Set up jobs in Argos to automate daily and weekly processing and communications.

• Work collaboratively with Information Technology Services and Financial Aid and Scholarship staff to coordinate and improve report processes and provide timely customer service.

• Create and run queries to regularly audit financial aid data in the Banner Financial Aid module for accuracy and compliance with federal, state and institutional regulations.

• Develop internal controls to assist with the prevention and detection of fraud.

• Responsible for reconciliation of federal financial aid funds.

• Work with the Arkansas Department of Higher Education to send, receive, and reconcile data necessary to process state financial aid programs.

• Responsible for Gainful Employment disclosures and reporting;

• Serve as the security manager for Financial Aid systems and the Federal Student Aid Primary Destination Point Administrator.

• Act as the technical liaison with the University Information Technology and participates in the UA Little Rock Banner Users Group.

• Responsible for the maintenance of computer hardware and acquisition of new hardware.

• Supervise the Financial Aid Technical Assistant.

• Maintain working knowledge of current industry information, vendor direction, and new products.

• Analyze and document problems with vendor-supplied software and work with vendors to resolve issues.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to present ideas in a user-friendly language.

• Good written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Ability to work well with people from different disciplines with varying degrees of technical experience.

• Strong technical documentation skills.

• Ability to apply exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Experience with complex relational databases, such as Oracle.

• Proficient in writing Structured Query Language (SQL).

• Ability to manage a variable workload and meet tight deadlines with little or no supervision.

• On-call availability.

Required Education and/or Experience:

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent of education and work experience plus a minimum of three (3) years of increasingly responsible professional experience.

Preferred Education and/or Experience:

Master’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization, three (3) years of relevant experience, plus 1 year of supervisory experience. Financial Aid Higher Education experience and experience with Financial Aid management software such as Banner and Arkansas State Financial Aid Programs is preferred. Experience with Workday is a plus.