Careers at Blue Icon Advisors
Do you have what it takes to be a Blue Icon consultant?
Blue Icon Advisors is looking for seasoned professionals to join our consulting team. If you have at least 10 years of financial aid experience, are currently working as a financial aid director or associate director, or you have moved into the enrollment management arena and are looking for a new challenge, complete the application using the button below. We have short-term and part-time gigs, as well as projects that can be completed in the evenings and on weekends. If you have any questions about employment opportunities at Blue Icon Advisors, please send us an email.
Apply to be an Independent Consultant
Independent Consultants: What You Need to Know
Blue Icon Advisors will contract with Independent Consultants to perform work for school clients by matching the needs of the school with the expertise of the consultant. Work may take place onsite or virtually (via email, phone, or online), depending on the agreement with the school.
Before You Apply
- All independent consultants must sign an annual independent contractor agreement.
- Once you are assigned to a specific project, you will be asked to sign a scope of work for that project, which will include timelines, deadlines, and payment details. To receive payment for work performed, you will need to submit an invoice and/or time records, as outlined in the project's scope of work.
- Because independent consultants sign an agreement with Blue Icon Advisors, it is recommended that you have permission from your institution and/or immediate supervisor to represent yourself as a financial aid expert, if you are currently employed.
- Consultants may be brought in before an engagement is secured with a client to participate in the initial fact-finding meetings or when developing tasks needed to create the project proposals.
- Since work may take place during the week, independent consultants must take time off from work, if currently employed.
- Some contracts may allow work to take place at night or on the weekend.
- Unless included in the scope of work, travel, hotel, and meal expenses for on-site reviews are reimbursed in accordance with Blue Icon's travel policy.
How To Apply
To be considered for a role as an Independent Consultant, you must apply online and provide the requested documentation. If selected, you will be asked to complete a writing assignment and participate in an online video interview.
Blue Icon Independent Consultants must have:
- At least 10 years of experience in administering Title IV federal financial aid.
- A demonstrated ability to analyze problems and communicate creative and thoughtful solutions.
- The ability to take direction, but also be a self-starter.
- Thorough knowledge of Title IV student financial aid regulations and the higher education landscape. Preference given to applicants with NASFAA credentials.
- Experience with financial aid operations, automation, and/or implementing corrective action plans.
- A background working with major financial aid management systems, such as PeopleSoft, Banner, PowerFAIDS, Colleague, WorkDay, or Regent.
Potential Project Descriptions
Some of the project-specific functions an independent consultant may be asked to perform are outlined below. As Blue Icon grows and adapts to the needs of the financial aid community, this list will change as well.
Policies & Procedures Audit
Review the school's P&Ps for compliance issues, write missing pieces, and/or move them into NASFAA's P&P Builder. This project may include staff training on using the NASFAA P&P Builder, which features automatic notifications on regulatory changes so the school can easily update the manual from year to year.
Potential tasks and deliverables may include, but are not limited to:
- Uploading P&Ps into the P&P builder
- Interviewing school employees to learn their policies and procedures
- Observing school employees to learn their actual practices
- Writing reports detailing P&Ps that do not match actual practices, are not compliant with rules and regulations, or are missing
Compliance Assessment
Review procedures on specific topics to ensure compliance with federal Title IV rules and regulations, and provide a report of findings with a priority order to address the highest liability issues. (Full compliance reviews of all Title IV rules will be handled through NASFAA's Standards of Excellence Review Program.)
Potential tasks and deliverables may include, but are not limited to:
- Reviewing student files
- Reviewing existing policies and procedures
- Interviewing school employees
- Observing school employees
- Writing reports detailing non-compliant practices, with suggested corrective actions to bring them into compliance
- Writing reports outlining best practices to remain in compliance in an efficient and effective manner
Operations Review
Evaluate the financial aid office organizational size and structure, functional tasks, technology use, and workflow to identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies. The final report will provide recommendations to improve effectiveness, customer service, and staff performance. (Note: NASFAA's Standards of Excellence Review Program includes a similar evaluation with the addition of a full compliance review.)
Potential tasks and deliverables may include, but are not limited to:
- Reviewing existing policies and procedures
- Interviewing school employees
- Observing school employees
- Writing reports outlining best practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness
Customized Training
Provide federal Title IV compliance training to the staff, either on-site or via video/web conferencing. Consultants must have NASFAA credentials in the topics presented. Customer service and professional development training are also available.
Potential tasks and deliverables may include, but are not limited to:
- Working with NASFAA staff to develop training materials
- Identifying training logistics and working with the school and/or NASFAA staff to set up the training session(s)
- Conducting the training sessions
Management/Leadership Consultation
Help develop skills for a new or aspiring director, positioning the leader (and the financial aid office) at the institution, and effectively managing employees and projects.
Potential tasks and deliverables may include, but are not limited to
- Working with NASFAA staff to develop training materials, questionnaires, and discussion topics
Customer Service Evaluation
Explore the current state of student satisfaction through the use of student surveys, engaging directly with students (available on-site only), conversations with staff, and a review of student-facing communications. The final report will provide recommendations for improvements or training and compiled survey data.
Potential tasks and deliverables may include, but are not limited to:
- Developing and administering student and/or staff surveys
- Interviewing and/or conducting focus groups with staff and/or students
- Collecting and reviewing communications, such as award notices, emails, and website
- Writing reports outlining best practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness
Enrollment Management Advising
Focused consulting on how financial aid can assist with the institution's enrollment management goals.
Potential tasks and deliverables may include, but are not limited to:
- Working with current enrollment management team and/or existing consulting agencies on campus to provide financial aid perspectives and guidance
- Reviewing the school's policies and procedures
- Interviewing key staff members involved in enrollment management
Interim Staffing Assistance
Provide qualified, trained financial aid administrators to assist during peak processing times, staff absences, or vacancies for entry- to director-level positions.
Potential tasks and deliverables may include, but are not limited to:
- Functions as determined by the school client
Custom Projects
If a project is not outlined above, Blue Icon Advisors will work with the school to assess the needs and how best to address them. For instance, if the school is undergoing an software implementation, the consultant may work with school staff and the software provider to offer financial aid prospective and guidance.
