Nicole M. Megas

** ***** ***** ***** • Ridge, NY 11961

Phone: 631-***-****•Email: acvpoy@r.postjobfree.com

PROFILE

Customer Service professional with more than 13 years of experience in positions of increasing scope and magnitude. Top performer, with track record of consistently meeting or exceeding department goals and customer expectations. Skilled at educating customers and recommending the best options for their needs. Team player with polished communication skills: verbal, written, interpersonal, presentations and rapport building.

CORE PROFESSIONAL STRENGTHS

Customer Service Relations Policy and procedure administration

Cross functional team collaboration Regulatory affairs and compliance

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CAREER EDUCATION CORPORATION: Briarcliffe College, Bethpage NY 5/2003-4/2016

An education leader with approximately 90 campuses worldwide. Program offerings that offer high-quality education to a diverse student population in a variety of career-oriented disciplines.

Administration and Customer Service

Ability to coordinate several personnel functions and determine the relative importance of each; ability to work with a high level of productivity and accuracy/attention to detail. Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.

Trained, coached, mentored and supervised a group of 10 team members, including full time team members and college work-study students.

Initiative in independently planning, organizing, and performing work assignments within broadly defined parameters.

Excellent computer skills and proficiency with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, online systems, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.

Monitored monthly cash collection and past due cash. Ensured that 70% of clients had past due cash payments less than 60 days past due.

Strong analytical and research skills; ability to gather, evaluate, and to develop well-reasoned conclusions and recommendations. Ability to proactively assess work operations and anticipate potential problems; ability to develop and implement strategies for preventing/resolving problems.

Ability to present ideas and concepts in presentation format and use consultative and facilitation skills to gain consensus in a collegial manner. Ability to write clear and concise reports.

Working knowledge, or ability to quickly learn policies and procedures.

Ability to adapt to and work effectively in a heavily bureaucratic environment which requires regular interaction with a number of level within the organization and multiple outside agencies.

Ability to effectively perform work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature that requires access to information. Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion, tact, and diplomacy.

Ability to gather and analyze information/data and make intelligent, logical and defendable decisions which have campus wide implications.

Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner, both verbally and in writing. Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism to effectively handle a broad range of sensitive interpersonal situations.

Compliance

Maintained the highest standards for all file processing while adhering to all Federal, State and internal laws and regulations.

Suggested and implemented new procedure to conduct detailed analyses and review student information for internal auditing purposes to ensure that New York State regulations were being met for the New York State Tuition Assistance Program. By developing this new procedure, we saved in upwards of 8 days of employee time in a given year.

Assessed and audit assignments completed by staff members to ensure accuracy on a monthly basis.

Ensured that students are counseled in the area of financial aid and that all aid is processed, scheduled, awarded and disbursed in accordance with NY State, Title IV Government Regulations and company policies. Responsible for communicating policies and procedures to students, parents and coworkers.

Created in excess of 50 step- by-step guides on policy and procedures to ensure accuracy in all work.

Demonstrated ability to interpret and consistently apply a wide variety of complex policies and procedures where specific guidelines may not always exist. Ability to work with frequent changes in policies and procedures, under pressure of deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Collaboration

Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.

Worked closely with the Business Operations Manager to develop strategies to ensure timely completion of all required student paperwork.

Demonstrated conflict resolution skills. Ability to conduct effective investigations. Ability to represent campus interest and propose appropriate response or remedy.

Cultivated strong professional and in many cases, lasting rapports with students and colleagues from all walks of life.

CAREER PROGRESSION

Student Finance Advisor 5/2012-4/2016

Financial Aid Manager 3/2008-5/2012

Senior Financial Aid Representative 5/2003-3/2008

KEY AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Received the President’s award during Career Education Corporation’s Annual “Commitment to Excellence” Conference.

Nominated by Board of Directors on 3 different instances for outstanding commitment and excellence.

Nominated into the Developing Leaders Academy program.

EDUCATION/PROFESSIONAL

Master of Business Administration• Dowling College- Oakdale, NY

Bachelor Degree in Business Marketing• Briarcliffe College- Bethpage, NY

Associate Degree in Applied Science• Briarcliffe College- Bethpage, NY

LICENCES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Notary Public for the State of New York

Contact this candidate