Higher Education Ellucian Colleague Finance Consultants/Interim Controller

About the role

This opportunity represents a distinct avenue for seasoned finance professionals to contribute their specialized knowledge within the higher education sector on a contractual basis. The role is designed for individuals seeking to leverage extensive backgrounds without committing to full-time employment. You will operate as a strategic partner, delivering targeted solutions to institutions navigating complex financial environments. The position specifically focuses on ensuring the integrity and optimization of financial systems for clients utilizing Ellucian Colleague. You will engage with challenging scenarios that require a high degree of analytical rigor and problem-solving acumen. This model provides a structured framework for delivering measurable outcomes within a pre-agreed period. Ultimately, your work will bridge the gap between institutional needs and the technical execution required for financial compliance and efficiency.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Analyze and map intricate financial data flows and intake procedures specific to Ellucian Colleague implementations to identify potential discrepancies.
• Design and construct robust temporary control frameworks that ensure strict compliance during dynamic institutional transition periods.
• Challenge and validate existing financial reports and logic to ascertain accuracy and reliability before critical information reaches executive leadership.
• Create and ship highly practical, ready-adopt process templates that empower institutional teams to execute efficiently without heavy oversight.
• Collaborate directly with institutional subject matter experts to align technical finance solutions with specific campus policies and regional regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate the documentation handoffs meticulously to guarantee smooth and complete transitions when project deliverables are finalized.
• Execute rigorous testing of system integrations to confirm that transaction handling meets exact institutional expectations and technical specifications.
• Guard the integrity of financial data by establishing multi-layered checks and validations to prevent the entry of errors at every stage.
• Provide expert guidance and advisory services to colleges and universities navigating the complexities of Ellucian Colleague financial modules.
• Operate on a part-time basis, dedicating between 10 and 30 hours per week to ensure focused and productive engagement.
• Engage on a project basis, with durations varying from short-term assignments of a few weeks to longer commitments spanning several months.
• Apply your expertise to solve specific, predefined problems within a clearly outlined scope and timeline.
• Maintain distinct boundaries regarding responsibility to ensure that the intervention remains focused and goal-oriented.
• Support institutions that are actively exploring meaningful post-career work or supplemental income avenues through flexible consulting.

Requirements and Qualifications

To be considered for this role, you must have held a Controller-level or comparable finance leadership position within the higher education sector, demonstrating proven capability in managing complex financial operations. You must possess documented, hands-on experience with Ellucian Colleague finance modules, as this technical proficiency is essential for success in this environment. A deep understanding of compliance expectations relevant to both public and private educational institutions is non-negotiable and forms the foundation of this position. You must have a strong, established background in managing month-end close activities, which serves as a key indicator of your readiness for structured, project-based work. The nature of the engagement requires the ability to commit to projects that vary significantly in length, from brief intervals of a few weeks to extended periods lasting several months. You must be capable of working remotely and managing your schedule effectively within the specified range of 10 to 30 hours per week. This role is not suitable for individuals seeking full-time, ongoing employment but is ideal for those looking to apply their expertise on a flexible, contractual basis.

Nice to have

No specific "nice to have" qualifications are currently listed for these roles. The focus remains on verified experience in finance leadership and Ellucian systems.

Practical notes

There are no specific hours, travel requirements, visa conditions, or application deadlines stated in the source material for this position. The engagement is entirely remote and project-based.