Job Description

The Director Student Accounts is responsible and accountable for development, maintenance, and execution of Student Accounts, Collections, Military and Veteran Collections.  This position will provide strategic direction and leadership, with special emphasis on compliance with federal and state regulations.  The role ensures accurate recording of all students’ accounting activity, including collection of all accounts receivables and accurate and timely reporting to Federal/State agencies. Responsibilities include all aspects of the student accounts process, military and veteran collections, and financial education to all new and continuing students.  This leader manages with a special emphasis on compliance as well as debt management and mitigation. The primary role of this position is to provide strategic direction to funding and education options to support new and continuing student enrollment.

Primary Work Location: Remote/On Call: Home office must be located within 150 miles from LAPU, San Dimas, CA within US. 

Compensation 
Paygrade 13: $73,600 - $92,000

Required Experience / Education 

• Christian Commitment: Vital Christian faith and lifestyle
• Supportive of the evangelical mission and purpose of Los Angeles Pacific University and the Azusa Pacific University System
• 2 years’ of management experience
• 5 years’ experience of student accounts, enrollment, or financial education or student development (any combination)
• 5+ years of direct customer relations in higher education institutions 
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Experience with the budget process as well as an overview of A/R and A/P

Desired Experience / Education

• 5+ years’ of management experience
• 8+ years’ experience of student accounts, military and veteran benefits, enrollment, or financial education or student development (any combination)
• Master’s Degree 
• Third party partner management and oversight
• Working knowledge of Jenzabar, Salesforce, PowerFAIDS

Essential Functions    

• Develop the vision and plan, develop, and direct all activities related to student financial experience, and student accounts.
• Ensure compliance with all Federal, State and Los Angeles Pacific University rules and regulations when it comes to student account management.
• Oversee the development and implementation of funding options and financial education for all students – applicant to degree conferred
• Collaborate with Marketing, Enrollment, Student Success, Financial Aid and Finance leadership to ensure appropriate financing education materials are created, distributed, and discussed with all students
• Provide strategic direction in partnership with Enrollment and Student Success on all financially related topics with new and continuing students
• Manage third party partner vendors which can include -review and monitor performance and ensure effectiveness of services provided and enable changes as necessary
• Develop and implement strategic plans that will allow LAPU to scale in student population and units taken by students.  This includes optimizing the organization (student accounts communication)
• Supervises, trains, and oversees operational work flow for Student Accounts
• Recruit, train, and manage members of the Student Accounts team. Responsible for adequate training and development of all Student Accounts staff.
• Analyzes, evaluates, and implements internal processes that comply with current federal and state regulations to maximize collection returns.
• Develop key performance indicators that align and are supported by the A/R strategic initiatives
• Collaborate with LAPU Finance department on A/R policies, cash collections and processing and student account refunds. 
• Ensure relevant policies and procedures are established adhered to and updated as needed to ensure timely service to students
• Develop regular reporting and key performance indicators for A/R, collections, bad debt and other relevant student related financial metrics
• Ensure that all financial assistance programs available in the school are in compliance with all applicable regulations. Research and develop additional funding resources.
• Direct student accounts representatives to ensure timely payment of tuition
• Design and implement process and procedures to ensure proficiency in timely collections, as need
• Liaison with APU as needed to represent LAPU in all student finance processes
• Required to work a Saturday commencement event each calendar year
• Perform special projects as assigned.

Missional Expectations

The Director of Student Accounts is responsible for carrying out LAPU’s Christian faith and mission by hiring Godly employees who embody the Christian faith in their daily living and by providing spiritual support and care to employees in their span of care through praying with employees regarding their dreams and challenges, sharing devotional messages and providing their team members with spiritual counseling. The Director of Support Central and Student Accounts is assessed annually on their performance in accomplishing these vital tasks.

All employees play a critical role in the establishment and maintenance of a robust Christian community that seeks to serve with grace the needs of all employees and students. As a LAPU employee you are called to engage with your colleagues and all those that the university serves by modeling Christ-like character in all of your interactions. You will celebrate and honor other employees and students as being made in the image of God; be thankful, expressing gratitude to God and one another; build others up with your words; and work as an instrument of God's love seeking to heal a lost and broken world.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of Los Angeles Pacific University educational philosophy and top management administrative practices, policies and procedures.
• Possess superior organizational, supervisory, and decision-making, delegation and budgetary skills to effectively accomplish the purpose, goals and objectives of the department.
• Ability to analyze and interpret Federal and State regulations, professional and technical journals, financial reports and legal documents.
• Strong interpersonal skills across diverse faculty, staff and student populations.
• Superior organizational and problem resolution skills.
• Experience with budgets and budgeting processes
• Experience with accounts receivable and collections, with a proven record reducing outstanding A/R
• Knowledge of key performance indicators for outstanding accounts, aging and 3^rd party collections
• Ability to supervise, train and manage assigned staff including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments. Ability to interact effectively as a member of a team and work collaboratively with other departments.
• Ability to listen to customers (e.g. students, staff, etc.) and to understand and respond positively to their requests
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and a commitment to work effectively with a diverse faculty, staff and student body.
• Ability to work collaboratively across internal organizational units specifically related to student admissions, enrollment, and financial aid services in an online education delivery model
• Ability to lead by example and motivate strong teams
• Strong command of the English language with excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong organizational skills, detail-oriented, with an ability to plan and manage and lead multiple projects
  concurrently in a timely manner
• Self-starter with the ability to work in a team-based, fast-paced atmosphere
• Ability to interpret, adapt, and apply guidelines and procedures in a complex university setting
• Ability to be proactive, take ownership of assigned responsibilities, and work with little supervision
• A positive, cooperative, Christ-like attitude supportive of the University and its mission

Mental Demands

• Ability to be proactive, to work with little supervision and meet deadlines
• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports
• Ability to investigate, analyze information, and draw conclusions
• Ability to engage in critical thinking, exercise independent judgment, set priorities, and solve problems
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage confidential information

Physical Demands

This position typically includes the following physical demands. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to stand, walk, and sit for extended periods of time
• Sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment
• Visual acuity to read words and numbers
• Speaking and hearing ability sufficient to communicate in person or over the telephone
• Ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force and occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds

Technologies

• GoogleApps / Gmail
• Office applications software—Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel
• Jenzabar
• Financial Aid Software- Powerfaids

Non-discrimination Statement

Los Angeles Pacific University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

This job description is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and Los Angeles Pacific University reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the University may deem appropriate.