Assistant Director of Student Accounts

Montclair State University • Montclair, NJ

22h • $81,475 - $93,702

About The Position

Reporting to the Director of Student Accounts, the Assistant Director serves as a managerial leader responsible for directing staff operations, overseeing complex financial processes, and implementing strategic initiatives that align with university goals. This position provides supervisory oversight, policy guidance, and operational leadership, ensuring compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulations. The Assistant Director exercises authority in managing personnel, analyzing business operations, and collaborating across university functions to safeguard fiscal integrity and advance student success.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in accounts receivable, billing, cash handling, collections, or financial operations.
• Demonstrated supervisory and leadership experience, including staff management, performance evaluation, and workflow coordination.
• Proficiency in financial systems and reporting tools, with the ability to create reports, guides, and documentation that enhance efficiency and functionality.
• Strong organizational abilities with proven capacity to manage high-volume, high-stakes workloads in a deadline-driven environment; demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to prioritize competing tasks.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to effectively interact with students, parents, staff, and external partners.
• Ability to explain and interpret complex financial information clearly and persuasively.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with colleagues, other departments, and external organizations.
• Ability to prepare clear, accurate, and informative financial statements, analyses, and reports related to payment plans and student accounts.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with Workday Student and/or Banner student information systems.
• Prior managerial or supervisory experience in a Student Accounts or higher education financial services setting.
• Working knowledge of university and departmental policies, procedures, and regulations, with the ability to apply established guidelines to routine and complex account functions.
• Familiarity with higher education financial systems, including TouchNet, Workday, and related technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and evaluate a team of four (4) Student Accounts Associates, ensuring consistent delivery of services in veteran benefits, appeals, health insurance, payment plans, third-party billing, refunds, and waivers (on-site and remote).
• Establish performance metrics, accountability standards, and professional development plans for staff; conduct training to strengthen operational capacity and service excellence.
• Oversee and direct the Tuition Appeal Workflow in collaboration with IT, ensuring timely policy application and financial adjustments.
• Oversee and manage automated processes for applying, removing, and reviewing financial holds, as well as late fee workflows.
• Manage and administer student billing and fee assessment tables, verifying accuracy of tuition totals and coordinating the student e-bill process.
• Develop, implement, and monitor reporting tools to enhance functionality across the Office of Student Accounts (OSA) and strengthen cross-departmental collaboration.
• Serve as project lead and University liaison with IT and other offices to ensure accuracy of insurance charges and waiver application reports.
• Prepare, review, and approve annual 1098-T and 1099-C federal forms; evaluate accounts for write-off eligibility.
• Ensure compliance and enforce adherence with federal, state, and University regulations; provide procedural guidance and policy interpretation to staff.
• Review, monitor, and validate financial aid and scholarship disbursements for compliance, including Title IV monitoring.
• Participate as a key decision-maker in annual health insurance contract evaluations, working with external agents to ensure competitive pricing and effective student coverage.
• Communicate complex financial policies and payment options to students, parents, and campus partners via email, phone, and in person with professionalism and authority.
• Collaborate strategically with internal departments (Admissions, Registrar, Financial Aid, Student Life, Academic Affairs, Student Communications, and University Marketing & Communications) to maintain accurate and timely information for the University website.
• Oversee cashiering functions, including cash application, drawer closing, check processing, and deposit review, ensuring financial controls and compliance are maintained.
• Analyze business processes, design improvements, and implement organizational changes to enhance efficiency, compliance, and customer service.
• Provide executive-level support to the Director/Associate Director in managing special projects, communications, and accounting functions.
• Represent the Office of Student Accounts at University events, committees, and task forces, including evening and weekend functions as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned. Management retains the right to add or change job duties at any time.

Benefits

• The position may also be eligible for comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and tuition assistance.
• For further details, please visit: https://www.montclair.edu/human-resources/benefits/

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager