What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Director, Operations position at University of Chicago?
Department
CSL Bursar: Student Financial Services Management
About The Department
The Office of the Bursar provides student account management services for all academic programs and the Laboratory School for the University of Chicago. The mission of the Office of the Bursar is to deliver an innovative and inclusive student account management experience. Our vision is to be a collaborative and knowledgeable partner in financial solutions. The Student Financial Services team includes the management of customer service, outreach, billing, payments, refunds, and recovery management services.
Job Summary
The Associate Director of Operations is responsible for the strategic oversight and daily management of the Student Account Operations team in the Office of the Bursar. This role ensures efficient, accurate, and transparent processing of student financial transactions and account services, directly supporting the university’s commitment to academic excellence and student success. The Associate Director is a critical member of the Student Financial Services leadership team and provides supervision to five professional staff members.
Responsibilities
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Job Family
Administration & Management
Role Impact
People Manager
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$92,000.00 - $98,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
CSL Bursar: Student Financial Services Management
About The Department
The Office of the Bursar provides student account management services for all academic programs and the Laboratory School for the University of Chicago. The mission of the Office of the Bursar is to deliver an innovative and inclusive student account management experience. Our vision is to be a collaborative and knowledgeable partner in financial solutions. The Student Financial Services team includes the management of customer service, outreach, billing, payments, refunds, and recovery management services.
Job Summary
The Associate Director of Operations is responsible for the strategic oversight and daily management of the Student Account Operations team in the Office of the Bursar. This role ensures efficient, accurate, and transparent processing of student financial transactions and account services, directly supporting the university’s commitment to academic excellence and student success. The Associate Director is a critical member of the Student Financial Services leadership team and provides supervision to five professional staff members.
Responsibilities
- Oversee day-to-day operations related to student billing, external charges, payments, and refunds.
- Manage all payment channels (online, direct banking, third-party payment, etc.) for education related expenses and oversee refund, cash receipt, and bank deposit operations (1B Annually).
- Execute all University, Laboratory School, and Third-Party billing (1.5B Annually) according to the annual billing calendar.
- Manage and deliver living expense and overpayment refunds from all payment channels (20M annually).
- Supervise, mentor, and train staff to ensure exacting standards of customer service and operational efficiency.
- Collaborate with internal teams and university departments on policy development and implementation regarding student account operations.
- Analyze account processes and recommend improvements through automation, technology, and best practices.
- Maintain professional knowledge in the areas such as accounts receivable billing and collections, e-commerce, and support staff with professional development opportunities.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and university regulations related to student account operations.
- Resolve complex and escalated student account issues, reconciliation requests and quality assurance findings.
- Lead strategic projects aimed at improving operational effectiveness, technology implementation and third-party integrations.
- Promote a positive and inclusive team culture with continuous professional growth.
- Manages employees by establishing annual performance goals, allocating resources, assessing annual performance, and determining individual merit, incentive and/or promotional increases.
- Manages program operations and administrative functions which may include planning and scheduling, program evaluation, policy implementation, personnel administration, budget, marketing, fundraising and proposal development.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Master’s degree preferred in a related field.
- Seven or more years of progressive and supervisory experience in student accounts, bursar’s office, or higher education financial operations.
- In-depth knowledge of student account systems, billing processes, accounting principles and regulatory compliance.
- Proven leadership and staff management abilities.
- Experience in configurating and managing ERP and third-party payment systems; experience with PeopleSoft and Transact strongly preferred.
- Strong background in process improvement and project management.
- Accomplished in prioritizing multiple tasks in a demanding environment and meeting deadlines.
- Proficiency in analyzing financial data, identifying trends, and recommending operational improvements.
- Adept at resolving complex account issues and managing sensitive situations with discretion.
- Understanding of privacy laws (FERPA), Title IV Cash Management, financial regulations, and institutional policies.
- Experience in implementing new processes, technologies, or strategies to improve efficiency.
- Ability to motivate, mentor, and develop staff; foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
- Familiarity with student information systems (e.g., Banner, PeopleSoft), Microsoft Office Suite, and database management.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to present complex financial information clearly.
- Commitment to delivering exceptional service to students and campus partners.
- The Office of Bursar promotes a flexible and collaborative workplace environment. This position is hybrid, and the number of in-person requirements is dependent on seasonal responsibilities and averages 3-5 days a month in-person.
- Resume (required)
- Cover Letter (preferred)
Job Family
Administration & Management
Role Impact
People Manager
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$92,000.00 - $98,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
Salary : $92,000 - $98,000
