Description

The Associate Director of Financial Aid Technology supports the technology environment that enables the deployment of all University Financial Aid, maintaining both the test and production environments in Oracle Campus Solutions (called AIS at UChicago). In addition, this role serves as a financial aid technology expert and collaborates with staff in financial aid offices across campus to develop or enhance financial aid processing.

Collaboration is key for this role, and this role leverages specialized knowledge about financial aid policies, regulations and controls to coordinate with other senior database leaders across campus to ensure accurate exchange of data between systems and the successful deployment of student financial aid. The position requires a passion for working with University technology leaders, an interest in ensuring University compliance with Federal regulations and University-required controls through effective technology, and a commitment to excellence. The ideal candidate will be an energetic and talented technology with a record of success in complex, decentralized environments where collaboration and coalition-building are critical to success.

Responsibilities:

•  Maintain AIS Financial Aid module in production and multiple test environments
•  Track the release of upgrades and fixes targeted for the Financial Aid module so they can be tested and installed in a timely manner.
•  Leverage knowledge of best practices to review and test environment upgrade documentation for issues with database tables and dictionaries
•  Maintain efficient methods to track data and report on outcomes as needed
•  Coordinate with other database administrators to ensure accurate exchange of data between systems
•  Respond to internal and external audit requests on student controls
•  Regularly update AIS Financial Aid module to comply with federal regulations and University required controls
•  Adapts Office of Financial Aid plans and priorities to address resource and operational challenges
•  Provide input on decisions and develop policies and procedures based on regulations and University-required controls
•  Provides technical guidance to Financial Aid employees across campus
•  Performs other related work as needed.

Requirements

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience:

• A minimum of five years progressive experience administering student financial aid

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

•  Understanding of functional aspects of Oracle Campus Solutions modules, particularly Financial Aid
•  Ability to analyze and troubleshoot Campus Solutions issues impacting financial aid processing
•  Experience writing queries and creating/editing equations in Oracle Campus Solutions.
•  Demonstrated ability to master database programs and learn new technologies

 Preferred Competencies

•  Ability to think strategically about how individual work aligns with broader organizational goals.
•  Strong interpersonal skills, demonstrated initiative, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, with flexibility and adaptability.
•  Demonstrated success in maintaining collaborative relationships with diverse constituencies.
•  Deep commitment to customer service, ability to prioritize and balance different work streams, meet deadlines, and work successfully in a fast-paced   environment.
•  Confidentiality with student information and other sensitive data
•  Current or previous experience communicating and interacting with clients and/or senior level employees or constituents.