Financial Aid Systems & Data Manager

Colorado Mesa University•Grand Junction, CO

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Financial Aid Systems & Data Manager serves as a key technical and systems resource for the Financial Aid Office, responsible for developing, maintaining, and optimizing systems, data, reporting, automation, and technology solutions that support effective and compliant financial aid operations. This hands-on technical role partners with Financial Aid leadership, Information Technology, and campus stakeholders to translate business needs into practical technical solutions, improve processes and data quality, automate manual work, and resolve complex system and data issues. The successful candidate will bring demonstrated experience with databases, SQL, reporting tools, enterprise systems, and troubleshooting systems. Financial aid experience is preferred but not required; candidates with strong technical experience in systems, data, programming, reporting, or enterprise applications are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience developing and troubleshooting SQL queries.
Experience working with relational databases and complex data sets.
Demonstrated ability to analyze data, identify issues, and develop effective technical solutions.
Experience developing reports, queries, dashboards, scripts, automated processes, or similar technical solutions.
Ability to troubleshoot complex system, data, and integration issues.
Understanding of enterprise applications and the interaction between systems, data, and business processes.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify root causes and develop sustainable solutions.
Ability to learn complex systems and business processes quickly.
Excellent communication skills, capable of working with diverse campus departments, students, and external partners.
Demonstrated ability to train and provide guidance to staff and stakeholders on financial aid systems and processes.
Ability to deliver presentations and training materials to both internal and external audiences.
An earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required.
Demonstrated professional experience in systems analysis, data management, database administration, business systems, software development, reporting, or a related technical field.
Proven experience with process improvement in a technical or administrative context.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in a higher education financial aid environment.
Experience with Banner or other enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
Experience with COGNOS or similar data analytics tools.
Familiarity with JavaScript and SQL.

Responsibilities

Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot SQL queries, reports, scripts, and other technical solutions supporting Financial Aid operations.
Analyze system and data issues, identify root causes, and develop effective solutions in collaboration with campus technology partners and vendors.
Support the development, testing, implementation, and maintenance of automated processes and workflows.
Identify opportunities to reduce manual processes, improve data quality, and increase operational efficiency through technology and automation.
Support data integrations and the flow of information between Financial Aid systems and other enterprise applications.
Develop and maintain documentation for systems, processes, reports, queries, and technical solutions.
Monitor system performance and data quality and proactively identify opportunities for improvement.
Manage and support the Financial Aid Office's use of enterprise and departmental systems, including Banner and other systems supporting document management, workflow, reporting, communication, and financial aid processing.
Lead the administration of satisfactory academic progress processes, ensuring federal Title IV compliance.
Serve as a key resource during system upgrades, patches, releases, and other technology changes.
Analyze the potential impact of system changes on financial aid processes and coordinate testing and implementation activities.
Work collaboratively with Information Technology and other campus partners to resolve complex system issues.
Ensure Financial Aid systems and processes are configured and maintained in alignment with institutional needs and applicable federal and regulatory requirements.
Support the development and maintenance of technical processes associated with financial aid data loads, processing, records, and system interfaces.
Develop and maintain reports, queries, dashboards, and other data tools supporting Financial Aid operations and decision-making.
Analyze financial aid data to identify trends, discrepancies, operational risks, and opportunities for improvement.
Support leadership with timely, accurate, and meaningful data and reporting.
Ensure data accuracy, consistency, and integrity across Financial Aid systems and reports.
Collaborate with campus partners to support institutional reporting and data needs.
Use data analysis to evaluate processes and measure the impact of system and operational improvements.
Promote a culture of continuous improvement through the use of technology, data, automation, and process redesign.
Identify inefficient or manual processes and develop practical solutions to improve efficiency and accuracy.
Lead and participate in projects involving system improvements, process redesign, automation, and technology implementation.
Partner with Financial Aid leadership to prioritize and implement annual projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
Develop and monitor processes that improve the reliability, scalability, and sustainability of Financial Aid operations.
Serve as a liaison between Financial Aid staff, Information Technology, campus departments, and external vendors.
Translate technical concepts and system changes into understandable information for functional users.
Provide training and guidance to Financial Aid staff regarding system functionality, reports, processes, and technology changes.
Develop documentation and training materials supporting system and process changes.
Collaborate with campus partners to identify and resolve cross-functional system and data issues.
Contribute technical expertise to departmental and institutional projects and strategic initiatives.
Provide high-level customer service by independently handling routine inquiries and resolving complaints.
Counsel students, families, faculty, and staff on financial aid matters, ensuring clear communication and timely resolutions.
Support CMU’s one-stop services (IRIS) and participate in financial aid outreach to the community.
Keep current on federal financial aid regulations and ensure compliance with all processes, including packaging, awarding, and disbursements.
May supervise and mentor student workers, ensuring proper training, task management, and performance evaluations.
Contribute to strategic departmental decisions and assist in the development of policies and procedures.