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, PeopleSoft, 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, provide regular evaluation and feedback, and facilitate developmental opportunities.
• Model and encourage collaboration among University offices and campuses assuring effective communication and operations.
• Provide leadership through conduct, attitude, and professionalism. Represent the University to students, external groups, faculty, and staff in a way that reflects positively on the University.
• Exercise inclusivity in your daily actions in accordance with the University’s Mission Statement, Statement of Spiritual Identity, and Statement of Inclusion, Openness, and Community.

Our University

Ottawa University “prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment, and service to God and humanity” from residential campuses in Ottawa, Kansas (established 1865) and Surprise, Arizona (established 2017) and from professional and online campuses in Kansas City, Phoenix, and Milwaukee.

Ottawa University is a regionally accredited, church-related, student-centered, private comprehensive university that strives to integrate faith, learning, and life in the academic experiences of students.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

Ottawa University is committed to equal employment opportunity and does not unlawfully discriminate in recruitment or employment on the basis of race, age, sex, color, religion, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.