Student Finance Manager

We are looking to recruit a Student Finance manager to join our Student Services team. This role provides operational line management of a team of staff responsible for providing information, advice and guidance relating to student finance and funding across the college. This role supports and underpins the college priorities relating to enrolment, retention, achievement and progression, assisting in the removal of barriers to education by providing a comprehensive financial support service

The successful candidate will drive performance improvement, quality and an outstanding student experience, demonstrating high levels of accuracy, customer care and knowledge in the field of FE and HE finance and funding.

• To manage the cross-college delivery of accurate, up to date information on student financial support. This will include:.
• Contributing to College fee policy, tuition and examination fee waivers, methods of payment, FE free meals, sources of educational and charitable funding, Council Tax Student Certificates.
• To act as a first point of contact for the Advanced Learner Loan, and to produce Learning and Funding letters to support progressing students' loan applications.
• To manage, develop and deliver an online Student Financial Support application system via PayMyStudent
• To provide accurate, up to date information on discretionary government funding through the 16-19 Bursary Fund, Discretionary Learner Support Fund and the Loans Bursary Fund. This will include:
• Travel, childcare, discretionary bursaries, vulnerable student bursaries, supported travel, Student Fund, ALS.
• To draw down funding directly from the ESFA to fund the college Progress Bursary.
• To participate in and contribute to the management, planning and development of discretionary government funding.
• To operationally manage the administrative processes involved in the distribution of discretionary government funding. This is in the region of £3.5 million per annum.
• To manage designated budgets and ensure that funding is used efficiently and effectively.
• To provide management information as and when required, and to meet with auditors to confirm systems and procedures.
• To prepare guidelines for staff on the policies and procedures relating to discretionary government funding.
• To complete the weekly PMS payment run.
• To update external college publications.
• To participate in government consultations about future student finance initiatives.

Essential Job Knowledge, Skills, Education & Experience relevant to the role:

• Experience of line managing similar administration / business support functions
• Leadership and team management
• High level of numeracy and accuracy
• Understanding of the challenges the FE sector faces
• Ability to work as an effective team member
• Excellent ICT skills including proficient use of Microsoft Office and a detailed understanding of core college systems
• Experience of working in a customer-oriented environment.
• Excellent presentation and written communication skills
• Good inter-personal skills and the ability to deal with customers and stakeholders at all levels
• Ability to show an understanding of, and commitment to college policies and procedures, particularly equality and diversity.
• Must be committed to their own CPD, and the development of others within the team.
• Experience of undertaking appraisals.

Essential Personal Attributes & Competencies relevant to the role:

• Performance orientated
• Resilience
• High levels of accuracy
• Ambassador of Change, Transformation and progressive thinking
• Pragmatic and Creative
• Deadline Driven
• Ability to manage conflicting priorities
• Ability to build and maintain strong rapport with wide range of customers
• High Level interpersonal and communication skills
• Positive personality - self-motivated
• Clear personal commitment to meeting and surpassing customer expectations

We really care about our people. As a member of College staff, you will have access to a wide range of benefits, wellbeing services and opportunities for professional development.These include:

• Generous annual leave - We offer the highest holiday entitlement in the City Region
• Competitive salary - Our salaries are the highest within FE in the City Region
• Access to our Employee Benefits Platform, offering hundreds of discounts and savings
• Wellbeing support - Access to a free, independent and confidential 24 hour counselling support, as well as general wellbeing and lifestyle support through our platform and app
• Pension Scheme - Excellent pension provision, with memberships of Local Government Scheme, Teachers Pension Scheme and Aviva, depending on the role.