Business Analyst for Operations and Continuity

Department: Office of University Registrar

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Remote Eligible

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Office of the University Registrar (OUR) actively supports and leads change while serving as a strategic partner to those the Office serves, focusing on ways to become more efficient, effective, and improving services to university constituents in meeting the needs of an evolving higher educational environment.

The Office of the University Registrar is one of several central units under the authority of the Office of the Provost and reports to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.

About the Position:

The Business Analyst for Operations and Continuity is a member of the Registrar's leadership team and is to be a visionary leader, effective manager, and active participant in improving services throughout the University. This position contributes to strategic planning that enables the Office of the University Registrar to ensure the accuracy and integrity of student academic records at George Mason University.

This position serves as an internal business analyst expert responsible for reviewing and maintaining the Office of the University Registrar's policies and procedures with the aim of identifying opportunities for improving organizational effectiveness. This position coordinates and works collaboratively with the University Registrar and the units within the office to implement and/or review procedures and disseminate information.

This position leads and participates in departmental and university-wide efforts at multiple campuses (Fairfax, Manassas, Arlington, Incheon-South Korea) to continuously improve policies, processes, and services in support of the university's goals and initiatives to provide the best possible constituent service experience, especially those related to academic and administrative units including associate deans, directors, and other high-level leaders.

Responsibilities:

• Leadership: 
  • Communicates effectively and demonstrates excellent administrative and human interaction skills, particularly in balancing the diverse needs of the academic community and those of academic affairs while working effectively within the Office of the University Registrar;
  • Works proactively with the University Registrar, Associate Registrars, Assistant Registrars, central departments, academic units, and university leadership on improvements to business processes;
  • Manages all office assessment activities, including the development, updating, and maintenance of documentation, and validation of all procedures and policies.
  • Develops, implements, and assesses procedures and policies on data and process enhancements relating to student records and develops action plans for deficiencies in collaboration with the senior management team;
  • Serves as a leader, in collaboration with the Registrar’s Office IT director, to address and resolve any production critical system outages, both planned and unplanned;
  • Provides situational updates, as well as project status updates, to the University Registrar; and
  • Serves as supervisor to Digital Transformation Specialist.
• Continuity of Operations:
  • Maintains the Office of the University Registrar's business continuity of operations (COOP) plan and Emergency Response Plan (ERP) in collaboration with the University Registrar and senior leadership team;
  • Develops and maintains the Office of the University Registrar's Retention and Disposal of Student Records Plan, working in collaboration with the senior-management team and in accordance with AACRAO recommendations;
  • Maintains the Office of the University Registrar's website and assists with drafting standard office communications to students, faculty, and staff. Creates and reviews instructional guides, videos, and quick user guides hosted on the registrar's website;
  • Assists with compiling data for auditors, government agencies, and others in the campus community; and
  • Maintains a central repository of user guides, trainings, and assessments. Works collaboratively with each unit to develop and update process documentation.
• Project Management and Problem Resolution:
  • Assists with implementation and enforcement of University policies and procedures; researches potential effects of proposed state and federal legislation on Office of the University Registrar processes. Communicates updates to the University Registrar and office staff;
  • Assists in analysis and proposal of alternative business processes;advises and assists in the implementation of new processes;
  • Creates and implements test plans for projects, upgrades, and operational improvements;
  • Communicates appropriately to users’ level of technical understanding, translating data-related information between technical and non-technical audiences to guide solutions that meet the needs of the organization and the technical requirements and constraints of the functional products software applications;
  • Assists in analysis and proposal of alternative business processes; advises and assists in the implementation of new processes;
  • Assists with the research and resolution of duplicate PIDM issues, working with Office of Admissions and the OUR IT team to analyze and merge records appropriately; and
  • Assures the release of student information within the regulations of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended and within University policy and guidelines.
• Support the University Registrar:
  • Supports the University Registrar with office operations while exercising sound judgment, diplomacy, and confidentiality when interacting with constituents;
  • Collaborates with the University Registrar, Associate, and Assistant Registrars to realign work between departmental teams to support the University's operational excellence and strategic planning goals;
  • Assists the University Registrar in prioritizing multiple competing projects and managing the time of staff and resources accordingly to complete departmental responsibilities in a timely and efficient manner; and
  • Participates in the overall planning of activities within the Office of the University Registrar, developing, recommending, and implementing major policy and procedural changes. 
• Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the Registrar from assigning duties that are related to and within the scope of responsibility of the position. 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Progressive and demonstrated track record of excellent leadership and management;
• Experience managing multiple projects;
• Experience with a multitude of technologies including Microsoft Office suite with spreadsheet experience;
• Experience building motivated and skilled teams, emphasizing collaboration, flexibility, and empowerment.
• Exemplary interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written;
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to work independently and as a collaborative team member; ability to demonstrate effective leadership;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues;
• Ability to work effectively under pressure;
• Demonstrated ability to manage change in a complex educational environment; and
• Commitment to providing exceptional service.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related field;
• Experience in administering student records in the Ellucian Banner administrative environment;
• Experience with Stellic or other degree auditing platforms, or similar background with a demonstrated aptitude for learning new software systems;
• Progressively responsible management experience in a large higher educational system; and
• Knowledge of curriculum and academic program structures in a university environment.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Business Analyst for Operations and Continuity at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume.

Posting Open Date: July 02, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  July 16, 2024

Open Until Filled?:  Yes