Job Summary

Under the general direction of the University Controller, the Director of Student Financial Services  performs a wide-range of technical, administrative and analytical functions in support of the operations of Student Financial Services (SFS), which encompasses the Student Accounts Office and the University Cashiers Office. The Director provides leadership and management to staff, assists in the development and implementation of policies and procedures while maintaining regulatory compliance and modifies and initiates operational procedures to improve efficiency, meet department objectives, and identifies opportunities for staff development and improvement. This position plays a critical role in planning, development, and implementation of intra/interdepartmental initiatives and maintains liaison activities with other divisions, departments, and college areas to advance cooperative projects and/or programs designed to contribute to campus goals and objectives. In addition, this position manages student communication to ensure that deadlines and important information is sent to students in a timely fashion. The Director evaluates and updates all information communicated on the department web page for accuracy, ease of search topics, and user-friendly reading and understanding.     

The Director is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of student financial services including training, evaluating and supervising staff. The Director oversees the receiving and disbursing of University funds and recording financial transactions. This position is responsible for charging, collecting, receipting, and reporting all student fees in accordance with Federal, State, CSU, and University policies.  In addition, the Director is responsible for ensuring the proper receipting and safeguarding of payments and deposits made to the University, distribution of payroll and non-payroll reimbursements, student tuition and fee refunds and disbursements, and promoting financial literacy by educating students with respect to their financial activities, including but not limited to; advising students on financial holds and class cancellations actions resulting from non-payment, tuition and fee waiver requests, and student loan advising.

This position will be on-site only.

Department Summary

The University Financial Services Department is part of Cal Poly's Finance Group, within the Administration and Finance Division. Financial Services provides accounting services to the University's students, staff and faculty. These services include cashiering, student accounts, accounts receivable, payroll, trust accounting, university accounting & reporting, property, and financial reporting. Financial Services is responsible for ensuring that all accounting, reporting, and reconciliation functions are performed in accordance with applicable law and policy while at the same time providing the highest possible level of service to the campus community.

Key Qualifications

• Experience with working with complex ERP systems and the ability to understand both functional and technical requirements related to the system aspects of the position.
• Working knowledge of accounting and internal control principles and practices, especially as related to public universities.
• Ability to research and work with tax laws as they relate to the responsibilities of this position.
• Demonstrated ability to use appreciable judgement to interpret, apply, and develop policies and procedures.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or related field and six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting or closely related area with demonstrated success in supervision and first-line management. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Salary and Benefits 

The anticipated hiring range for this role is $99,225 - $132,300 annually. Note that the offer is calculated based on the background and relevant years of experience of the individual selected.

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Diversity Statement

At Cal Poly, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly's values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.

Cal Poly's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. Cal Poly is an equal-opportunity employer. 

Supplemental Information

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

This position may be "Designated" under California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. This would require the filing of a Statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis and the completion of training within 6 months of assuming office and every 2 years thereafter.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H-1B visas).