Director of Student Billing and Collections
About Western Kentucky University:
Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a student-centered, applied-research institution committed to providing its students with a transformative academic and social experience and to elevating its surrounding communities. Founded in 1906, WKU is the second largest undergraduate institution in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with approximately 15,035 students (29% first generation, 18% underrepresented minority) and just over 2,500 faculty and staff employees.
Western Kentucky University is committed to empowering its campus community to embrace diversity by building equitable and inclusive learning, working, and living environments. At the heart of our mission, we seek to provide holistic education and employment experiences that prepare students, faculty, and staff to become effective scholars, contributors, and leaders in our diverse and evolving communities.
Located 65 miles north of Nashville, TN, and just over 100 miles south of Louisville, KY, WKU's main campus is in Bowling Green, KY - a fast growing city with a metro population of more than 140,000 approximately. Our population is ethnically diverse, with more than 85 languages spoken in and around Bowling Green, and people from 35 nationalities call our community home.
Western Kentucky University seeks to attract talented faculty and staff who are inspired individually to contribute to WKU's strategic plans and ongoing success. We offer comprehensive wellness and health benefits to employees and their families, including domestic partners and other qualified dependents and take pride in providing a workplace culture that supports balancing the responsibilities of work and family life. Paid-time off for holidays, vacation and sick leave, and a tuition discount program for employees and dependents are also provided. Learn more about WKU and Bowling Green at wku.edu/about.
Job Description:
The Director of Student Billing and Collections is responsible for the oversight, direction, and management of the Billings and Receivables, Cashiers, Collections and Refunds, and Perkins Loans functions of the university. The Director ensures the delivery of high-quality services in each of these areas in a manner that is consistent with the operational needs and strategic initiatives of the University. The Director will assure the integrity of financial data posted to student accounts while working closely and collaboratively with all student service offices throughout the campus to provide exemplary service to students and their families. The position reports to the Assistant Vice President for Budget, Finance and Analytics.
Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are customary for this position but are not to be construed as all-inclusive. Duties may be added, deleted, and assigned based on management discretion and institutional needs.
- Provides management, direction, guidance, training, and evaluation to staff on a regular basis and is responsible for overseeing multiple units including cashiering, billings and receivables,Perkins loans, collections, and student refunds.
- Provides direction to and supervises Associate Bursars and hires, supervises, creates work assignments, conducts performance appraisals, administers discipline, and determines compensation for departmental staff.
- Ensures the delivery of exceptional customer service to students, their families and other university departments.
- Implements approved tuition and fee charges in ERP system to ensure proper assessment.
- Leads the University's compliance program for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS).
- Updates Registration Guides, Catalogs and other publications as related to the Bursar's Office and establishes semester billing and refund schedules.
- Establishes and monitors an efficient and effective method for student refunds through BankMobile Disbursement and parent loan refunds through Accounts Payable.
- Provides leadership and vision for technological advancements that will improve operational practices including maintaining the Accounts Receivable module functionality.
- Supervises the assignment of delinquent student accounts to third party collection agencies and oversees management of the Perkins loan program.
- Works with various external vendors for student payment plans, student residual
- disbursements, and collection agencies. Works with Purchasing Department on requests for proposals (RFPs) as needed.
- Ensures account reconciliations and detail resolution are completed on a timely and prepares year-end accounting reconciliations, reports, and write-offs and assists with audit requirements related to the Bursar's Office.
- Serves as primary student financial accounts liaison to senior administrative staff and produces reports and analyzes student receivable data as needed.
- Performs processes for 1098-T tax reporting and issuing student statements.
- Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, local and university statutes and regulations.
- Manages departmental budget ensuring efficient and authorized use of financial resources.
Secondary Duties and Responsibilities
- Serves on University task forces and committees representing Bursar's Office and student account interests.
- Provides and validates tuition revenue data for the University's Resource Allocation, Management and Planning (RAMP) budget model.
- Performs other related duties as assigned by the Assistant Vice President for Budget, Finance and Analytics.
Knowledge and Skills Required
- Knowledge of and ability to interpret relevant federal and state regulations
- Strong interpersonal and written communication skills including the ability to effectively interact with individuals at all levels of the University and favorably represent the institution with external constituents
- Ability to work independently and use judgment in decision making to include highly developed financial and analytical abilities with a strong attention to detail and accuracy
- Excellent organization and time management skills including the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to work in difficult situations and maintain a high level of confidentiality while maintaining a positive and objective approach
- Skills in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures
- Ability to lead, encourage and challenge a team of staff and foster a cooperative work environment
- Proficiency with common computer applications including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
Physical and Mental Abilities Required
Ability to perform under pressure and requiring extended working hours; ability to exercise sound judgment, decisiveness, and perform in a leadership capacity with impact. Ability to manage multiple projects and adhere to deadlines.
Performance Expectations
The duties and responsibilities of this position must be performed in a competent manner following the highest standards for leadership, professionalism, integrity, accountability, responsibility, cooperation, and customer service.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business
- Minimum of seven years of experience in Accounts Receivable, Cashiers, or directly related experience
- Minimum of three years supervisory experience
Additional Information:
Kentucky state law requires all public institutions of postsecondary education to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks to determine suitability for employment.
Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to a policy and practice of providing equal employment and educational opportunities to all individuals. In accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, no form of discrimination or harassment will be tolerated at WKU on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, age, uniformed services, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, or physical or mental disability in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices.
Persons with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and/or selection process, should notify the office of Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action/University ADA Services (EEO). To request an accommodation, report/express a complaint, or ask questions regarding WKU''s Discrimination and Harassment Policy (#0.2040), please contact Mr. Joshua Hayes, EEO Director/Title IX Investigator/University ADA Coordinator, via email at joshua.hayes@wku.edu or by phone at (270) 745-5121.
The University is also required to investigate complaints of sex and gender-based harassment, also a form of discrimination, and has designated the Title IX Coordinator as the individual responsible for coordinating the investigation and response to such complaints. The Title IX Coordinator for the University is Ms. Andrea Anderson, who can be contacted via email at andrea.anderson@wku.edu or by phone at (270) 745-5398. Additional information regarding Title IX is accessible via WKU''s https://www.wku.edu/titleix/ website.
Information concerning educational programs offered by WKU are provided at: http://www.wku.edu/atwku/academics.php
Application Instructions:
The following items must be submitted through this electronic talent management system:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
You will receive email confirmation that your submission has been received. The candidate review process will generally begin as materials are received.