Student Finance Manager

Provides leadership and oversight for all student financial operations in Arizona, including financial aid administration, student accounts, billing, and compliance. This position ensures accurate, timely, and compliant delivery of financial services while supporting student success through effective counseling and service excellence. Hybrid location requirements include being on site for check-in days and first week of classes for Fall and Spring semesters.

Required to be on site one day a week when housing is unavailable, two days a week when housing is available.

Essential Functions:

Operations & Compliance Manage day-to-day operations of the Student Financial Services team in Arizona.

Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations governing financial aid programs

Implement, and maintain policies and internal controls

Support with new student financial aid appointments and a folder of no more than 200 returning students per semester.

Leadership & Staff Management Supervise, hire, train, and evaluate departmental staff

Establish performance goals and ensure team accountability

Promote a collaborative, student-focused service culture

Student & Customer Service Provide guidance to students and families regarding financial aid, payment options, and account balances

Resolve complex or escalated student financial issues

Ensure delivery of high-quality, responsive customer service

Process Improvement & Strategy Analyze workflows and implement improvements to increase efficiency and accuracy

Collaborate with campus departments to support enrollment, retention, and student success initiatives

Support system enhancements and process automation efforts

Financial & Administrative Oversight Prepare reports and provide analysis to senior leadership

Ensure responsible stewardship of institutional funds

Other duties as assigned

Required

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree required. Extensive proven successful experience in a similar role may substitute for the degree.

Required Experience:

5+ years progressive experience in higher education financial services with 2-3 years of supervisory experience preferred. 5+ years oh experience in student financial services, financial aid, or student accounts required.

Additional Eligibility Requirements:

Knowledge of federal financial aid regulations (Title IV) and compliance requirements

Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills

Experience with student information systems (e.g., Banner, People Soft, Salesforce, Jenzabar)
Proven leadership skills working in collaborative organizations

Excellent oral and written communications skills

Working Conditions:

(Physical attributes required to perform job duties with or without reasonable accommodation - examples: sitting, lifting, bending, driving, environmental factors or elements, noise level, stairs in a building, or other factors that will affect working conditions)
This position may require evening and weekend work and activities for certain events and meetings; may require long work days with extensive hours spent sitting and working in front of a computer screen and or with others.

Travel Requirements:

If travel is required, list type and approximate percentage: 0%
Responsible for driving students and University vehicles as part of job duties:
No

Standard University Expectations:

Be mindful and supportive of the Mission of Ottawa University Understand and follow the University’s policies and procedures and exercise good judgment accordingly. Assure that University and student information is managed in a confidential and ethical manner in accordance with the University’s Code of Conduct and Ethics.

Manage your staff in accordance with University personnel policies. Encourage collaboration among the staff,…