Associate Director of Student Loans and Financial Aid Systems and Title IV Operations - Divisio...
University of Pennsylvania

Job Info

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University OverviewThe University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.Posted Job TitleAssociate Director of Student Loans and Financial Aid Systems and Title IV Operations - Division of FinanceJob Profile TitleAssociate Director C, Business and Finance, Business ServicesJob Description SummaryThis position reports directly to the Director of Student Loans and Financial Aid Systems and Title IV Operations. The primary responsibility is to support the Director in all aspects of Title IV administration as it relates to Department of Education systems. This includes reconciliation and troubleshooting support in file exchanges with COD and SAIG.

Ensure compliance with timeliness and accuracy of file transfers and application of funding. The focus of this role is to maintain Title IV compliance with the various financial aid related transitions to and from the Department of Education. This includes staying apprised of current and upcoming changes/errors and FSA Tech regulatory updates.

This role is responsible for the operational management and administrative direction of a business services unit and/or function with broad responsibility. This position directs the long-range strategic planning, operations, and/or administrative activities of a business service. Analyzes the effectiveness of and establishes future direction for functional policies and programs.

In the Division of Finance, we recognize diversity and inclusion is paramount to a positive and thriving work environment; it is a business imperative. We are committed to actively fostering diversity, inclusion and cultural competency throughout our operational efforts in the Division of Finance. This role will be critical in supporting those efforts and demonstrating behaviors and competencies that reflect Penn's values.

We take pride in the myriad ways that diversity enriches our curriculum, and the cultural and social life of our campus. Penn's commitment to achieving eminence through diversity is ultimately a commitment to creating a more vibrant university so that our graduates will be both stimulated and empowered to shape a better world.Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Regulatory/Compliance:

• Assist with maintaining Federal Tax Information security while controlling transfer of data via the SAIG mailboxes in conjunction with ISC and Pennant Operations.
• Assist the Director in monthly Title IV reconciliation of Pell, Federal Work Study and Federal Loans through the Common Origination and Disbursement Process.
• Maintain up to date knowledge with respect to upgrades/defect resolutions and various vendor patches throughout the year related to financial aid and any dependencies.
• Identify/disseminate and report on current/upcoming changes/issues/updates via FSA Tech and Ellucian Communities with all impacted parties.

System Support:

• Oversee and responsible for user and system regression testing of any changes in collaboration with SFA and Pennant Operations teams.
• Responsible for coordinating and management of regression testing annually to include the annual roll process in collaboration with the SFA and Pennant Operations teams.
• Review and trouble shoot daily output logs of all Banner financial aid jobs to identify issues/errors related to transfer of Title IV data files.
• Assist the Director with updating production in related areas such as Fund Management, aid periods, Loan periods and others as identified with the guidance of the Pennant Operations team.
• Develop and coordinate new project implementations in conjunction with system support

Daily Operations:

• Supervise loan team staff on all daily operations and processing.
• Supervise additional support team on high level projects defined by the Director.
• Responsible for training and documentation of all federal and private loan processes to include maintaining up to date knowledge and support of any related Pennant additions or enhancements.
• Collaboration with end-users to identify customer requirements, needs, assess current system, reporting and data inventories requirements for daily operations
• Responsible for making recommendations regarding the reporting and daily process in order to enhance/simplify and improve operations.
• Create and maintain collaborative working relationships with stakeholders from all departments.
• Translates strategic and tactical business plans into operational plans.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining partnerships throughout the University. Serves on various university, division and departmental committees
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Proven knowledge of SQL/population selection and Banner base line
• Competency and knowledge of algorithmic budgeting and packaging rules.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience and knowledge of all Banner jobs and processes related to Title IV administration.
• Minimum 5 years' financial aid experience in a higher education setting.
• Excellent interpersonal skills demonstrating partnership and collaboration expertise while working with a diverse population.
• Ability to work in a multi-tasking, fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated high degree of professional confidentiality and discretion in working with data and with diverse partners.
• Advanced user skills with Excel and other Microsoft programs and computer systems.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented and accurate.
• Able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Demonstrated organizational and prioritization skills, along with the ability to work within tight and often conflicting deadlines.
• Must be flexible, show effective judgement, discretion and have the ability to handle confidential financial matters.
• Work effectively in a highly matrixed and decentralized environment with the ability to navigate through ambiguity and demonstrate appreciation and support for diversity, inclusion and belonging in a constantly evolving academic/higher education environment.
  

Job Location - City, StatePhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaDepartment / SchoolDivision of FinancePay Range

Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family-whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, you won't have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on at Penn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you're right in the middle of the excitement-and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

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