Colleague Finance Consultant

Remote; San Francisco (CA); Remote; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual salary ranging from $100,000 to

Fully remote work within the United S 

Health, dental, vision, and life insur

Short-term and long-term disability

Paid parental leave.

Three weeks of vacation, sick leave, &

401(k) retirement plan with a 5%…

Pet insurance.

Opportunities to work on impactful pro

A collaborative, client-focused enviro

Job summary

Remote is seeking a Colleague Finance Consultant based in the United States to help colleges and universities optimize their Ellucian Colleague Finance systems through technology, process improvement, and strategic consulting.

You will guide institutions in implementing, enhancing, and maximizing Colleague Finance, translating complex business needs into practical solutions, and supporting implementation projects, upgrades, training, and transformation.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in higher education with financial/operational focus.
• At least 5 years hands-on experience with Ellucian Colleague Finance module.
• Experience supporting or leading Colleague implementations, upgrades, or optimization.
• Strong knowledge of GL, budgeting, purchasing, A/P, A/R, and reporting.
• Experience creating or using reporting for financial decision-making and analysis.
• Familiarity with SaaS and cloud tech in higher ed.
• Proven ability to analyze complex business processes and implement practical solutions.
• Experience in consulting or client-facing roles, guiding stakeholders through change.

Responsibilities

• Partner with colleges/universities to implement, optimize, and support Colleague Finance.
• Advise finance leaders on aligning system capabilities with business objectives.
• Analyze and improve financial processes across GL, budgeting, purchasing, A/P, A/R, and reporting.
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows and data quality, reducing manual tasks.
• Lead client discovery sessions, workshops, and training for system adoption.
• Support software implementations, upgrades, testing, and optimization projects.
• Troubleshoot issues and coordinate solutions with technical teams.
• Develop user docs, process guides, and training materials.
• Recommend reporting improvements, automation, and modernization strategies.
• Stay informed on higher ed finance trends and Ellucian product developments.
• Collaborate with project teams to deliver services and maintain client relationships.

Skills

Colleague Finance expertise

Higher education experience

Consulting/advisory experience

Financial operations knowledge

Process improvement

Training and user enablement

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Finance/Accounting/Business

Tools

Ellucian Colleague

Job description

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Colleague Finance Consultant based in the United States.

As a Colleague Finance Consultant, you will help colleges and universities optimize their financial operations through technology, process improvement, and strategic consulting.
You will serve as a trusted advisor, guiding institutions in implementing, enhancing, and maximizing their Ellucian Colleague Finance systems.
Working closely with finance leaders and institutional stakeholders, you will translate complex business needs into practical, sustainable solutions.
Your expertise will contribute to improved financial workflows, stronger reporting capabilities, and enhanced data integrity.
You will support implementation projects, system upgrades, training initiatives, and operational transformation efforts.
This remote opportunity offers the chance to collaborate with higher education institutions nationwide and make a meaningful impact on their financial efficiency and long-term success.

Accountabilities:

• Partner with colleges and universities to implement, optimize, and support the Ellucian Colleague Finance module.

• Advise finance leaders and institutional teams on aligning system capabilities with business objectives and operational requirements.

• Analyze and improve financial processes across general ledger, budgeting, purchasing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and financial reporting.

• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, improve data quality, reduce manual tasks, and enhance operational efficiency.

• Lead client discovery sessions, workshops, and training initiatives to support successful system adoption and organizational change.

• Support software implementations, upgrades, testing, system enhancements, and ongoing optimization projects.

• Troubleshoot functional and system-related issues, investigate root causes, and coordinate solutions with technical teams.

• Develop user documentation, process guides, and training materials to empower finance teams and end users.

• Recommend reporting improvements, automation opportunities, and process modernization strategies.

• Stay informed about higher education finance trends, Ellucian product developments, and industry best practices.

• Collaborate with project teams to deliver high-quality consulting services, meet project timelines, and maintain strong client relationships.

Requirements:

• At least 5 years of experience working in higher education, with a strong understanding of the financial and operational challenges facing colleges and universities.

• At least 5 years of hands‑on experience with Ellucian Colleague, including advanced knowledge of the Finance module.

• Experience supporting or leading Colleague Finance implementations, upgrades, or system optimization initiatives.

• Strong knowledge of higher education financial operations, including general ledger, budgeting, purchasing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and financial reporting.

• Experience developing or using reporting solutions for financial decision‑making, budget management, reconciliation, and operational analysis.

• Familiarity with SaaS applications, cloud-based technologies, and digital transformation initiatives in higher education.

• Proven ability to analyze complex business processes, identify improvement opportunities, and implement practical solutions.

• Experience in consulting, advisory, or client‑facing roles, with the ability to build relationships and guide stakeholders through change.

• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem‑solving skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with both business and technical teams.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, a customer-focused mindset, and a commitment to delivering outstanding client experiences.

• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and demonstrate initiative, adaptability, and curiosity.

• Willingness and ability to travel occasionally for client engagements and project requirements.

Nice to have:

• Experience leading or managing project-based initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and timelines.

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related discipline.

• Experience modernizing finance operations through process improvement, automation, or technology transformation.

• Previous consulting experience supporting higher education institutions.

Benefits:

• Annual salary ranging from $100,000 to $115,000, plus bonus potential.

• Fully remote work within the United States.

• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage.

• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.

• Paid parental leave.

• Three weeks of vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.

• 401(k) retirement plan with a 5% employer contribution.

• Pet insurance.

• Opportunities to work on impactful projects with colleges and universities nationwide.

• A collaborative, client-focused environment that values professional expertise, continuous improvement, and meaningful contributions.