Study Abroad Financial Manager

Working Title: Study Abroad Financial Manager

State Role Title: Financial Services Spec I

Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)

Position Status: Full-Time

College/Division: Center for Global Engagement

Department: 100148 - CGE Administration

Pay Rate: Pay Range

Beginning Review Date: 04/17/2024

Specify Range or Amount: $47,000 - $50,000

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

About JMU:

Mission

We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision

To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are

Located in the heart of Virginia's beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

The Center for Global Engagement (CGE) is seeking a Study Abroad Financial Manager. This position will report to the Director of Study Abroad. The Study Abroad Financial Manager oversees all financial procedures and budgets for JMU's international programs, reviews programming contracts, and authorizes employment for study abroad faculty and support staff on study abroad programs. Key responsibilities also include serving as the primary point of contact for communication with faculty directors and other campus constituents about the financial logistics and policies related to study abroad programming.

The CGE promotes access, inclusion, and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents, and programs. We are interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Financial and Operational Management of Study Abroad Programs (75%):

• Oversee budget formulation and overseeing stateside financial transactions for JMU's international programs - this includes all study abroad programs, global graduate programs, non-credit bearing international programs, and for-credit alternative spring break programs.

• Provides leadership and management for approximately 100 faculty members throughout the budget creation and review process during the year-long study abroad program cycle.

• Establish study abroad program fees for 90+ study abroad programs, with more than $10 million in tuition and fee revenue.

• Develop financial policies and procedures based on state, federal, university, and other relative regulations and laws and disseminating to parties involved in JMU's education abroad programs. Ensuring that all study abroad financial activities are coordinated efficiently and within compliance with university and state policies.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for communication with faculty directors and other campus constituents about policies for program development and implementation and overseeing financial procedures related to study abroad programming.

• Provide information from the budget on salary ranges and assist Study Abroad specialist in ePAR hire information as to lump sum, equal pay over time, pay by memo, and/or wage rate.

• Authorize stateside spending by Study Abroad Office Specialist (credit card and ACH) for program-related expenses, review vendor contracts and agreements and authorize timely payments.

• Track all study abroad cancellations and withdrawals in accordance with financial procedures and budget implications (refunds, forfeitures, insurance).

• Produce reports or statistical information based on application/user data.

• Develop and conduct group and individual training for faculty and staff involved in study abroad programs.

• Oversee financial logistics and act as travel approver for study abroad programming, including travel authorizations, transportation requests, supply orders, and reimbursements, and work closely with Study Abroad Office Specialist on coordination of financial logistics.

• Create and update budget templates used for short-term programs, including faculty-led programs, partner-run programs, and non-credit-bearing programs.

• Process payments for and monitor billing of student health insurance and administrative charges.

• Supervise ePAR workflow (hiring and wage paperwork) assigned to short-term study abroad programs and oversee bimonthly recovery transactions.

• Monitor the study abroad website as needed for updates to program fees and financial procedures.

Provide Support to Overall Mission of Study Abroad (25%):

• Collaborate efficiently and effectively with a diverse group of co-workers and affiliates to provide support and guidance on any matters related to study abroad.

• Provide logistical and event support for study abroad on-campus programming, including some work on nights and weekends.

• Assist in departmental and JMU Foundation scholarship application process, including tracking organization, review, and selection.

• Represents the Study Abroad team on the International Week committee.

• Provide assistance in selection and supervision of study abroad interns.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Significant professional experience in accounting, finance, or similar field

• Advanced capabilities in Microsoft Excel, including operational knowledge of pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and other formulas and functions; the ability to create spreadsheets and manipulate and analyze data; and the capacity to manage complex data sets and present information in a clear way

• Demonstrated ability to handle complex financial records, budgets, and transactions

• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to interact effectively and professional with multiple campus partners

• Excellent time management and organizational skills with willingness and demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, including long and short-term projects

• Demonstrated experience with working independently with minimal direction

• Ability to navigate multiple software systems to run queries and reports on student information and financial reporting

• Comfortable with training others on financial process and budget development; adept at public speaking

• Interest in the field of education abroad

• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Additional Considerations:

• Intercultural communication skills and ability to work with non-English speaking individuals

• Previous experience working with university faculty

• Prior experience in an international office

• Demonstrated knowledge of program budgets and overseeing financial procedures for study abroad

Conditions of Employment:

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Additional Posting Information:

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.