Assistant Director - Student Accounts Receivables - Columbia College

Columbia College Chicago is an acclaimed undergraduate and graduate institution that provides a comprehensive education in the arts, communications, and public relations. We constantly aim to reach our full potential as an educational innovator, incubator of new creative practice and generator of real-world success for young creatives. We are in the heart of Chicago, across the street from historic Grant Park, and housed in some of the most iconic buildings in the South Loop.

Columbia College Chicago a private urban institution of over 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students, four-year College offering a distinctive curriculum that blends liberal arts, creative and media arts and business is currently searching for an Assistant  Director Operations and Receivable Management.

 POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Director of Operations and Receivable Management, the Assistant Director is responsible for monitoring and interpreting all account transactions on the student tuition account. The Assistant Director ensures billing of all student account charges, credits, payments, deposits, financial aid, and loans is accurate, timely and compliant with all institutional and governmental regulations. The position is responsible for scheduling tasks, training, evaluating the performance and needs of the team and delivering high quality service to all constituencies. The Assistant Director will be the primary support to the Director and will lead the unit in the Director’s absence. Regular contact with current and prospective students and families, management, other college faculty and staff, third party agencies, vendors, student loan lenders, other institutions of higher education.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct and manage student tuition receivable with monthly billing process of student account information to students, parents including tuition and housing charges, payments, financial aid awards, loans, refunds.
• Direct and manage accurate posting and reconciliation of check, money order and credit card transactions for both tuition and non-tuition payments.
• Work cooperatively with other staff, college departments and/or third parties to assist customers with questions or issues relating to student account management.
• Manage and maintain online billing and payment systems.
• Serve as the Primary School Certifying Official with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Provide information and respond to questions for those who receive veteran education through one-on-one in person meetings, phone calls, and email communication.
• Ensure that the certifications, billing, and enrollment data in Enrollment Manager is accurate and compliant with VA approved programs and courses.
• Serve as a partner and point of contact for maintaining and processing student education benefits for qualifying students and their dependents.
• Actively participate in annual state and federal veteran administration audits/compliance surveys, and VA program trainings.
• Function as a liaison to the Accounting Department to resolve discrepancies related to billing, payments, refunds, third-party benefits, scholarships, and loans.
• Perform regularly scheduled monthly reporting and reconciliation of unit tasks.
• Develop and maintain policies and procedures to ensure regulatory compliance and timeliness in all activities.
• Provide direction, leadership, and training to direct reports. Evaluate performance, develop goals and objectives as well as development plans for staff.
• Actively participate in all professional development activities such as trainings, project teams, and other opportunities.
• Perform special projects and/or other related duties, as assigned or required.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in accounting, business or related field required.
• Two years of related supervisory experience in higher education financial services required.
• Must complete necessary VA training for a School Certifying Official including mandatory Enrollment Manager training.
• Demonstrate strong supervisory, leadership, strategic and project management abilities, and organizational competency.
• Federal, state, and institutional regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to navigate computer software and Microsoft applications.
• Strong understanding of general accounting principles of ledger entries and reconciliation.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, customer service skills and interpersonal skills.
• Possess problem-solving and analytical abilities, decisiveness, and external awareness.
• Flexibility in adapting to changing conditions.
• Ability to implement creative and innovative solutions.
• Ellucian Colleague experience preferred.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee and is subject to change based on the needs of the department and/or college.

At Columbia, we offer a rewarding work environment for our faculty and staff. We take pride in offering competitive benefits with affordable health, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; commuter benefit program, life, and accidental, death & dismemberment coverage; paid and unpaid leave options; work/life benefits; educational assistance programs; and retirement and financial planning benefits.

We invite you to join our talented faculty and staff and become part of our collective aspiration to ensure Columbia prepares students for success in their creative fields through innovation, engagement, and real-world experiences.

Additional Information

• Position subject to a background screening.
• This is a non-union position.
• This position is overtime ineligible.

 Qualified candidates of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Columbia College Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil rights. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.