Solutions Architect

Job Summary

The Solutions Architect (Student Information System) is responsible for the support, configuration, and optimization of the organization’s Student Information System (SIS) and related modules (Legacy/Desktop, Portal, Web Application, and Security Console). This role partners with functional leaders and IT teams to translate operational needs into secure and supportable SIS configurations, ensure consistent and accurate system outcomes, and drive continuous improvement through process alignment, testing, training, and release readiness. The role serves as a key point of contact for escalations and works closely with vendors/internal business partners to maintain high service quality and stakeholder satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

I. SIS administration, configuration, and operational enablement

• Serve as an application administrator for the SIS platform and supporting tools (Legacy/Desktop, Portal, Web Application, and Web App Security Console).

• Manage role-based access, permissions, and user provisioning; partner with security/IT teams to align access to policy.

• Recommend, maintain, and update SIS Global, Campus, and List Item configuration; document configuration standards and rationale.

• Engage with functional teams (Admissions, Academics, Student Accounts, Financial Aid, Career Services) to align SIS configuration with business processes.

II. Requirements facilitation and solution design (configuration-focused)

• Facilitate requirements discussions with business users and decision makers; translate concepts into clear written requirements.

• Recommend SIS settings and propose business solutions where appropriate, balancing compliance, usability, and operational risk.

• Identify opportunities to reduce processing inaccuracies/inefficiencies; plan and implement SIS optimizations and standardization efforts.

• Produce user guides, templates, and job aids to support consistent execution across teams.

III. Support, troubleshooting, and escalations

• Provide day-to-day support for SIS issues; research and resolve configuration/workflow issues and coordinate defect resolution with vendors/technical teams.

• Ensure outputs are consistent and accurate; troubleshoot issues as they arise and implement corrective actions.

• Maintain a knowledge management repository through formal and informal contributions; promote knowledge sharing and reuse.

• Assist with escalated stakeholder issues and communicate resolution plans, risks, and timelines.

IV. Change management, testing, upgrades, and training

• Evaluate upcoming releases and recommend adoption of beneficial SIS upgrades; communicate release impacts to stakeholders.

• Develop and coordinate QA/UAT and regression testing for SIS changes, including end-user process validation.

• Create and test end-user processes and procedures for the Security Console and SIS Web Application.

• Coordinate a regular training calendar; deliver training and provide ad-hoc training as needed (including Legacy to Web migration support).

V. Financial Aid automation and compliance alignment

• Support configuration related to Financial Aid Automation and Auto Awarding.

• Apply knowledge of U.S. Department of Education standards and federal education regulations to guide SIS configuration impacting Federal Financial Aid.

• Partner with Financial Aid stakeholders to validate configurations and outcomes for compliance and operational accuracy.

VI. Service delivery partnership and continuous improvement

• Drive high stakeholder satisfaction through partnerships with service delivery resources, internal/external teams, and department leadership.

• Provide configuration and solution guidance to internal/external resources and stakeholders; support stabilization, maintenance, and optimization efforts.

• Provide pre-sales input and recommendations when requested regarding critical services and scope considerations.

Experience and Education Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Business, or related field (or equivalent relevant experience).

• 5+ years of experience supporting enterprise applications with significant hands-on SIS administration/configuration responsibilities.

• Demonstrated experience facilitating requirements discussions and translating business needs into system configuration and documented processes.

• Experience with structured testing practices (QA/UAT), release readiness, and change communication.

• Strong customer service mindset with excellent written/verbal communication skills and the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.

Experience and Education Preferred

• Experience with Anthology Student and/or comparable Student Information System platforms.

• Experience supporting SIS migrations (e.g., Legacy/Desktop to Web Application) and end-user adoption/training.

• Familiarity with troubleshooting using data validation techniques and basic SQL/Excel for analysis (not database administration).

• Exposure to ITSM/ITIL practices (incident, problem, and change management).

• Demonstrated understanding of Title IV / Federal Financial Aid compliance concepts as they relate to SIS configuration.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Work Environment

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is usually not exposed to weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Note

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, or requirements associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change.

I have read and understand the above job description. I further understand that this is not an all-inclusive list and does not constitute a contract. My employment remains at will as with all employees of Ancora Education.