Operations and Innovation

Opportunity:   The Sr. Operations Analyst, Student Finance role is a high-impact, technology-enabled position responsible for driving end-to-end operational excellence across the Student Financial lifecycle, including Financial Aid Management, Billing and Receivables, and Payment and Cash Operations.   This role operates as an embedded optimization leader within Student Finance, combining hands-on processing expertise (25%) and advanced analytics, systems optimization, and automation (75%).   The role is accountable for designing, implementing, and scaling solutions that improve efficiency, system utilization, data accuracy, and student experience serving as the operational innovation engine that helps Student Finance become innovative, scalable, and expert.Responsibilities:   Embedded Operations & Financial Systems Expertise: Performs processing across Student Finance functions to maintain operational fluency and support priority workloads. Serves as a cross-functional SME across Student Financial Aid, Billing, and Payment systems. Executes and validates complex financial transactions, ensuring data integrity across systems. Supports escalations and exception handling requiring deep system knowledge.   Systems Optimization & Automation Leadership: Leads optimization of Student Financial systems and workflows. Designs and implements automation solutions using Power Automate, or other automation and AI platforms, Power Query, and reporting tools. Partners with IT todefine system requirements and enhancements. Drives improvements in audit, reconciliation, and compliance processes. Eliminates manual work through automation and process redesign. Partners with operational leaders to identify opportunities for AI-driven operational improvements.   Data, Reporting & Operational Intelligence: Analyzes data across systems to identify trends and risks. Develops KPI dashboards, operational scorecards, and performance monitoring frameworks that support management decision-making. Supports capacity planning, workload forecasting, and scalability assessments across Student Finance operations. Establishes data validation and monitoring frameworks.   Process Engineering & Continuous Improvement: Maps and redesigns workflows, using visualization tools, to improve efficiency and scalability and maintains SOPs and process documentation utilizing best practices. Applies design thinking, systems thinking, and data-driven methodologies to identify root causes and develop sustainable solutions. Conducts process experiments, pilots, and proof-of-concepts to validate proposed operational improvements and emerging technologies. Supports project planning, requirements gathering, user acceptance testing, implementation activities, and post-launch performance measurement. Evaluates emerging technologies and industry best practices and recommends solutions that improve organizational effectiveness and student experience. Drives measurable improvements in performance metrics.   Cross-Functional Integration & Execution: Acts as a liaison between Student Finance, IT, and Operations teams. Supports project execution and ensures successful implementation. Contributes to training and change management efforts. Facilitate workshops and discovery sessions to translate business needs into digital capabilities.   Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Information Systems, or related field. 4–6+ years of experience in student finance operations or process optimization. Experience with systems such as Banner, Salesforce, & ProSAM or other Financial Aid Management systems. Experience with Federal Student Aid, 3rd party billing, and VA web-based applications. Maintain access to federal systems, which requires no defaulted federal student loans. Strong technical proficiency in Excel, Power Query, Power Automate, and Power BI or equivalent technologies. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently. Demonstrated ability to quickly learn and adapt to new technologies, systems, and tools in a fast-paced, evolving environment.