Student Financial Services Manager

South University provides a warm, supportive learning environment that will encourage you to join a community of faculty, staff and students eager to play a role in helping you achieve your professional goals, on campus and online.
 
 The South University 125-year story—past, present, and future—is a history formed by the many individuals who have developed the education and spirit of community that have become our pledge to students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters of South University. Whether you have been part of the University family for many years, have recently come our way, or are thinking about joining us, you will find South University to be a place you can call home.
 
 What's next for you is the first priority for us!
 
 Visit www.southuniversity.edu today to learn more about what makes us stand apart as a place where you can make a difference in the lives of students eager to learn and grow.
 
 South University, the right direction for a brighter future.
 
 Benefits:
 *Medical
 *Dental
 *Vision
 FSA/HSA
 Tuition Assistant Program
 Long/Short Term Disability
 Life Insurance
 Employee Assistance Program
 401K Match
 Paid Time Off
 12 Paid Holidays
 * includes domestic partner coverage
 
 POSITION SUMMARY:
This position provides direction and leadership to Student Financial Services staff and manages staff who provide customer service to potential, new, returning, and continuing students regarding student financial aid, including federal, state, military, and institutional aid. Supports students from assignment from enrollment through the graduation.

Incumbent must assure that the South University philosophy: quality services to our students; development, growth, involvement, and recognition of employees; sound economic principles; and environment which is conducive to innovation, positive thinking and expansion is considered in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of this position.

KEY JOB ELEMENTS:
1. Implement a monitoring and reporting process to monitor all student financial aid services staff to validate the processing and packaging of all new, reentry, and continuing students per start date.
2. Monitor staff metrics and progress to the key performance indicators.
3. Ensure staff counsel students facing financial challenges and/or personal obstacles. Ensure staff effectively onboard new students in order to drive student persistence and success through effective transition to the online education environment.
4. Ensure staff efficiently and accurately package new students, continuing students, re-entry students, and transfer students.
5. Communicate SFS status with students effectively through both routine and non-routine phone calls, text messages, and emails. Respond to student inbound communication within established timeframes.
6. Hire, train, motivate and lead an effective Student Financial Services team. Perform reviews on a timely basis and work with Senior Director of Student Financial Services to assure that we provide new hire/veteran training and ongoing observations to improve employee success.
7. Monitor expenses to assure budget compliance.
8. Ensure compliance with all standards of the brand schools we support including ethical standards along with compliance with all federal and state laws and accreditation requirements.
9. May perform other duties as assigned or apparent.

REQUIREMENTS:
• Bachelor's degree in business, Education, Counseling or related field required, master’s degree preferred.
• 5-8 years of experience; 2 years’ experience with admissions recruitment supervision or 2 years of prior supervisory experience in an academic advising capacity in a post-secondary institution is preferred.
• Good general and e-business knowledge.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong interpersonal skills with student and staff populations.
• Superior organization, prioritization, and self-motivation skills.
• Strong computer skills including MS Office Suite, and database usage.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively as a member of a team.
• Ability to inspire, motivate and lead a team.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from students and staff.
• Ability to listen to students and to understand and respond positively to their requests.
• Ability to adapt to changing assignments and multiple priorities.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and successfully meet deadlines.

ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The term "qualified individual with a disability" means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the position. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate professionally in person, over the telephone, through email, video conference, and other electronic means, move about the office or school, handle various types of media and equipment, and visually or otherwise identify, observe and assess. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 10 pounds unless otherwise specified in the job description.
 
South University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity as a critical step in ensuring employee, student and graduate success. We are committed to building and developing a diverse environment where a variety of ideas, cultures and perspectives can thrive.