Lead Student Payment Specialist

Job Description

The Lead Student Payment Specialist is responsible for overseeing campus-based payment operations across an assigned region, ensuring consistent execution of cashiering, payment processing, and reconciliation activities. This role supervises Student Payment Specialists, establishes operational standards, and ensures adherence to institutional policies, internal controls, and compliance requirements. Operating across multiple campuses, the position ensures service consistency, operational accuracy, and alignment between campus locations and centralized financial operations.

Essential Functions

• Demonstrate TSTC’s Core Values of Excellence, Accountability, Service, and Integrity with internal and external stakeholders, customers, students, and community members.
• Leads campus-based payment operations across an assigned region to ensure consistent execution of cashiering, payment processing, and student financial services.
• Oversees daily operations to maintain service quality, accuracy, and adherence to institutional standards.
• Ensures consistent application of policies and procedures across all assigned campus locations.
• Directly supervises Student Payment Specialists and provides coaching, training, and performance management.
• Establishes clear expectations for service delivery, compliance, and operational execution.
• Supports onboarding and ongoing development to ensure staff capability and consistency across locations.
• Oversees daily payment processing, deposit preparation, and reconciliation activities to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
• Collaborates with Student Accounts and External Services to resolve student account issues and support integrated service delivery.
• Maintains a positive and consistent student experience through monitoring front-line customer service interactions.
• Serves as the primary liaison between campus staff and the Director of Customer Payment Center. Coordinates with campus leadership and centralized teams to ensure alignment of financial service delivery with institutional expectations.
• Communicates policy updates, procedural changes, and operational expectations to staff and escalates issues as needed.
• Manages staffing priorities, workflow distribution, and daily operations across assigned campuses.
• Maintains performance metrics, service standards, and compliance indicators to ensure effective service delivery.
• Conducts site visits to support operations, reinforce expectations, and provide hands-on guidance.
• Ensures adherence to cash handling policies, deposit timelines, reconciliation standards, and PCI compliance requirements.
• Reviews and approves daily reconciliations and monitors compliance with internal controls.
• Coordinates audit activities and supports resolution of findings, implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Identifies opportunities to improve workflows, strengthen compliance, and enhance service delivery.
• Supports implementation of process improvements and system updates.
• Uses operational data to identify trends and drive improvements within assigned regions.

Required Education & Experience

• Associate degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience as defined by TSTC equivalency standards.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in cashiering operations or financial services, including at least one (1) year of supervisory experience.
• Preferred Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• Experience in higher education student accounts or bursar operations.

Skills & Abilities

• Cash Handling and Financial Operations: Demonstrates strong knowledge of cashiering operations, reconciliation processes, and internal controls across multiple locations.
• Compliance and Risk Awareness: Applies understanding of PCI compliance, deposit controls, and financial policies to ensure adherence and mitigate risk.
• Leadership and Supervision: Leads geographically distributed staff, provides coaching, and ensures accountability for performance and service delivery.
• Operational Coordination: Manages multi-campus workflows, prioritizes operational needs, and ensures timely and accurate execution of payment activities.
• Customer Service and Issue Resolution: Resolves customer concerns and escalations while maintaining a consistent and professional service experience.
• Systems and Technical Proficiency: Utilizes student information systems and payment platforms to support operational oversight and reporting.

Core Competencies

• Communication: Communicates expectations, updates, and operational guidance clearly to staff, campus leadership, and centralized teams.
• Leadership and Accountability: Leads teams with clear expectations, monitors performance, and holds staff accountable for service quality, accuracy, and compliance.
• Operational Execution: Ensures consistent execution of payment processing, reconciliation, and deposit activities across assigned campuses.
• Quality and Compliance Oversight: Monitors adherence to policies, internal controls, and compliance requirements, addressing gaps and reinforcing standards.
• Coaching and Development: Provides ongoing coaching, training, and feedback to build staff capability and ensure consistent service delivery.
• Problem Solving and Decision Making: Resolves operational issues and service challenges by applying judgment and coordinating with stakeholders.

Extra Duties Statement

This job description outlines the general responsibilities and expectations of the role. It is not intended to include every task or responsibility. Additional duties may be assigned by leadership as needed.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Texas State Technical College (TSTC), as an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination. TSTC is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Background Checks

If hired, a criminal history background check will be required for the finalist(s) under consideration for this position.