Job Description

Job Summary/Basic Function:
This role is part of the Financial Aid and Scholarships leadership team and oversees a large unit of mid-level systems analysts and financial aid production staff. The position ensures the compliant, efficient processing of federal, state, and institutional aid and manages the department’s technology strategy and systems integration. Key platforms include PeopleSoft Campus Solutions/Oracle Student Financial Aid, Perceptive Content, TDClient, and other critical systems.

This leader serves as the department’s IT liaison, ensuring systems and data processes align with operational needs and compliance requirements. They coordinate across departmental units, represent Financial Aid on university-wide committees, and act as the director’s designee when needed.

The position manages a team of experienced professionals and hourly staff, guiding short- and long-term operational planning, setting objectives, and developing policies. It requires strong leadership and project management skills, with significant autonomy and responsibility for achieving strategic goals. This role frequently advises senior leadership and shapes campus-wide strategies related to financial aid systems and services.

Department Overview:
We'd love to have you join our team!

Boise State University Financial Aid and Scholarships Department has a results-driven work environment where all employees treat each other with respect, develop themselves personally and professionally, support team efforts, and are accountable for their actions. Many efforts including leadership coaching and training are taking place to grow a department where you will enjoy working.

Level Scope:
Recognized subject matter expert who knows how to apply theory and put it into practice with an in-depth understanding of the professional field, with limited oversight from managers. Independently performs the full range of responsibilities within the function; requires deep job knowledge of area typically obtained through higher education combined with experience. Manages large projects or processes and problems faced are difficult and often complex; analyzes problems/issues of diverse scope and determines solutions. May manage programs that include formulating strategies and administering policies, processes, and resources; functions with a high degree of autonomy. Influences others regarding policies, practices and procedures.

Essential Functions:
60% of time the Associate Director of Systems and Operations will:

Lead a team of experienced professionals in achieving departmental goals through coordinated efforts, setting objectives, and functioning with autonomy.
Interpret and apply federal, state, and institutional regulations related to student financial aid; ensure compliance through quality control, process reviews, and ongoing professional development (e.g., trainings, conferences).
Oversee the full financial aid awarding process for all eligible undergraduate, graduate, and extended studies students across all enrollment periods (fall, spring, summer).
Provide advanced technical and functional support for systems used in daily operations, including module management, system troubleshooting, testing, updates, and documentation.
Maintain and improve business processes to minimize downtime and encourage collaboration across departmental units.
Serve as information security steward by managing system access and ensuring appropriate internal controls.
Utilize structured change management methodologies to support successful system and process changes; adapt approaches based on departmental culture and needs.
Represent the department on project teams and lead the implementation of new functionality through project management best practices, including task delegation, timeline management, and risk mitigation.
Coordinate with end users to resolve production-critical issues by validating technical fixes in a test environment prior to implementation.
Ensure all system-supported financial aid processing functions (e.g., file completion, awarding, disbursement) comply with federal, state, institutional, and private aid regulations.