Business System Specialist

Southern Methodist University Inc; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Methodist University Inc. in Dallas, TX, is seeking an on-campus Registrar team member to support student-athlete academic certification, Degree Program Module setup, and ad hoc data queries within my.SMU and related systems.

The role contributes to the Division of Enrollment Services and supports the SMU Quality Enhancement Plan. You will interpret NCAA rules, manage advisement setup, respond to helpdesk tickets, and assist with FERPA processes while collaborating across university

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of three (3) years of computer related work experience.
• Experience with higher education, PeopleSoft Student Administrative System and student athlete certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Interpret NCAA and Conference AAC eligibility rules for student athletes and monitor academic progress toward degree.
• Maintain Academic Advisement and Degree Planner setup and respond to inquiries/helpdesk tickets.
• Write queries for AA-related requests and support Release of Education Records (FERPA).
• Provide system support for my.SMU and NCAA modules, test updates, and assist with registrar projects.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

PeopleSoft

Job description

Southern Methodist University Inc Dallas , TX

Full Time

Salary Range

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

This position is part of the management team for the Registrar's office and provides support for the student athletes' academic certification, Degree Program Module, ad hoc queries and Release of Education Records in Student Administrative System (my.SMU) for the Division of Enrollment Services and other university constituents. In the respective capacity of this position, contribute to the Registrar's Office efforts to support the SMU Quality Enhancement Plan "SMU-in-FOUR".

Essential Functions

• Student Athletes' Academic Certification: Interpret NCAA and Conference AAC (American Athletic Conference) academic eligibility regulations for student athletes. Interpret SMU academic progress policies and implement appropriate procedures with regard to student athletes. Serve as the Registrar's liaison with schools to track academic progress toward degree. Monitor academic eligibility for first year, continuing, and transfer student athletes and verify satisfactory academic progress. Manage documentation for Athletic Certification processes which includes writing new and modifying existing policies and procedures. Identify and create data queries to support and enhance Athletic Certification processes. Responsible for collecting, reporting and maintaining Academic Program Progress (APP) data in NCAA system. Manage access to NCAA single sign-on for SMU. Troubleshoot issues and problems with Student Athletes processes in my.SMU and NCAA system. Provide training to fellow RO team members.
• Degree Program Module: Compare approved new/changes to requirements to the catalog for accuracy. Setup for Academic Advisement Module requirements, requirement groups, course list, and other required entities to run Academic Advisement accurately and efficiently using SMU's bulletin. Maintain requirements for Academic Advisement and Degree Planner. Set up and maintain Highpoint degree paths for academic plans. Maintain documentation for Academic Advisement and Degree Planner. Respond to inquiries and helpdesk tickets for Academic Advisement and Degree Planner. Image supporting documentation for changes made to the Academic Advisement setup. Provides system support to all academic areas. Troubleshoots issues and problems in the Academic Advisement module and the Degree Planner module. Write Query for AA-related requests.
• Ad hoc Queries: Write/build queries as requested by users. Run preformatted queries as requested by users. Research request and coordinate with technology staff to identify source of data and process needed to fill request. Maintain queries created and make modifications as needed. Document purpose of each query, explain how statistics are obtained, and how to run the process.
• Support for Release of Education Records (RER/FERPA): Release of Education Records & FERPA. Setup for Release of Education Records. Provide system support for the Release of Education Records. Troubleshoots issues and problems with Release of Education Records. Participate in and ensures quality testing for all updates, fixes, and enhancements installation. Accept special project assignments.
• General Responsibilities: Attend meetings/conferences to stay abreast of technology issues. Attend all Division and Team meetings. Attend staff development and training activities. Assist with Academic Ceremonies. Assist and support other Registrar activities and projects as well as Division-wide activities as requested. Responsible for knowing, understanding and following about the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA. Responsible for knowing and adhering to the Gramm, Leach, Bliley Act was passed in the United States Congress in 1999 Responsible for abiding by the rules and regulations of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
• Occasional evening/weekend hours may be required for projects and ceremonies.

Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree is required.

A minimum of three (3) years of computer related work experience is required. Experience with an institution of Higher Education, PeopleSoft Student Administrative System and student athlete certification is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.

Candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook. Ability to learn new software including Query Tools is required.

Physical and Environmental Demands

• Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by September 24, 2026.

Application deadline is October 8, 2026.

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

Location/Region: Dallas, Texas