Manager, Student Accounts

Position Summary:

The Student Accounts Manager supports the Office of Student Accounts by providing direct supervision and management of the Student Accounts team and their responsibilities (including but not limited to payment processing, receipting, accounts receivable, and account consultation) while showing a consistent and comprehensive understanding of the Institutional mission and vision, and meeting the goals of the business unit with a strong understanding of student financial services and Vanderbilt University policies and procedures.
As a member of both the Student Accounts and University Enrollment Affairs teams, the Manager of Student Accounts facilitates and maintains strong, collaborative relationships with Vanderbilt’s faculty, staff, and students and identifies additional ways to be of service, while ensuring customer satisfaction.
 

About the Work Unit:
The Office of Student Accounts is the centralized billing and collection point for student accounts and institutional and federally funded student loans. The primary function of the office is to create and issue invoices, receive payments and provide information to help all parties (both internal and external) understand all aspects of a Vanderbilt student account and/or student loan.
 

Key Functions and Expected Performance:
▪ Monitors and oversees daily operations/activities of direct reports including but not limited to Student Account Specialists and Student Workers. Primary assistance required daily in Accounts Receivables (including 3rd Party), monthly billing, payment processing, installment plans, refunding, and customer service (Walk-ins, phones and email).
▪ Actively engages with direct reports with a focus on their personal development/performance and delivery of consistent service.
▪ Oversees and contributes to account consultation and problem resolution for students and other payers related to transactions on their student account. Troubleshoots and assist students, parents, payers and internal departments with any student account discrepancies or issues that may arise. Provides detailed account analysis as needed.
▪ Plans, organizes and coordinates daily processing and posting of external files for graduate awards, financial aid and auxiliary areas (including but not limited to housing, dining, parking, library, athletics, etc.)
▪ Monitors and maintains controls surrounding refundable credit processes for all students (including stop payment and reissue) and ensures all unclaimed property reviews and/or escheatment processes are processed in a timely manner.
▪ Approves refund batches and performs daily deposit functions in the absence of higher-ranking office administrators (Executive Director and/or Senior Manager).
▪ Assess current and develop new business processes and procedures to maintain and strengthen internal controls and compliance.
▪ Monitors and maintains internal calendars, timelines and cycles to ensure all critical processes and communications are completed at the appropriate time.
▪ Works collaboratively with Student Account leadership to maintain a successful partnership with our billing and payment provider (Transact).
▪ Creates content and participates in orientation opportunities (both online and on campus) for our student, parent and payer populations. Provides Student Account related training for university staff members as needed. Contributes to conference, seminar and webinar content.
▪ Monitors and maintains relationships with the Office of Student Affairs, the Student Health Department and the Student Health Insurance provider to ensure accurate and timely posting of health insurance charges and waivers to student accounts.
▪ Applies critical thinking to financial and other information presented within the scope of responsibilities, research complex and/or highly visible issues/questions and effectively communicate results/resolution.
▪ Manages a high-volume workload based on weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual deadlines.
▪ Demonstrates strong analytical/accounting skills, as well as an ability to grasp and thoroughly understand university policies and procedures.
▪ Ability to work collaboratively with all levels of staff and departments to maximize performance, creativity, problem solving, and results.
▪ Ability to exercise sound judgment and effectively handle multiple projects simultaneously in a deadline driven environment.
 

Supervisory Relationships:
This position supervises all Student Account Specialist and Student Worker positions. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Senior Manager of Student Accounts.

Education and Certifications:
▪ A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is required.
▪ A Bachelor’s degree in a business-related field is preferred.
 

Experience and Skills:
▪ 5+ years in a Higher Education/Student Account related field is preferred.
▪ 5+ years of PeopleSoft experience is preferred.
▪ Proficient skill in Microsoft Office Suite applications (Excel and Word) is necessary.
▪ Time management skills and the ability to work well in a team environment is necessary.
▪ Proven detail-oriented work style in collaboration with effective written and verbal communication skills is necessary.
▪ Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people, understanding their needs and goals is necessary.
▪ Ability to work co-operatively with others as part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively, is necessary.
▪ Openness to change, adaptability, and the ability to work effectively in a variety of situations, with individuals or groups is necessary.
▪ Ability to understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives on an issue is necessary.
▪ Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders is necessary.

About Us

Vanderbilt is a community of talented and diverse staff & faculty!

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice through:

• Working and growing together as a community of communities... we are One Vanderbilt.
• Providing a work environment where every staff and faculty member can be their authentic and best self, while providing the resources and opportunities to learn and grow.
• Encouraging development, collaboration, and partnership both internally and externally while fostering the value that every member of the Vanderbilt community can lead and grow regardless of title or position.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.

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Vanderbilt University has made the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University may require employees to comply with any testing or health and safety measures which the University may require.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are.  We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.