Student Finance Manager in City of London

The Student Finance Manager is a key role within the Student Finance team, responsible for the effective administration, promotion, and delivery of student financial support. The role provides leadership and oversight of the College's student bursary scheme and student finance provision, including Advanced Learner Loans, Advanced Learner Plans, Higher Education student finance, and the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE). The post holder will ensure that financial support is accessible, equitable, and fully compliant with funding body regulations, supporting student retention, progression, and success.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the team to deliver an efficient, accurate, and student focused service.
• Oversee the administration of student finance, including bursaries, loans, grants, scholarships, fee assessments, and hardship support.
• Ensure full compliance with DfE, SLC, and other funding body regulations and requirements.
• Act as the subject matter expert on student finance policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Develop, implement, and review student finance policies, processes, and internal controls.
• Monitor student finance and bursary budgets, forecast expenditure, and produce management reports and KPIs.
• Work collaboratively with admissions, curriculum, MIS, finance, and student services teams to ensure a seamless student journey.
• Support external audits, funding audits, and student finance data returns, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Promote access to financial support in line with widening participation and student success priorities.

Ideal candidate:

• Significant experience administering student financial support within an FE, HE, or similarly regulated environment.
• Level 2 English and maths qualification.
• Degree or professional qualification in finance, business, or public administration.
• In depth knowledge of 19+ Advanced Learner Loans, HE student finance, and current or future developments such as the Lifelong Learning Entitlement.
• Experience managing discretionary bursary or hardship funds, including assessment and budget monitoring.
• Strong understanding of student funding regulations and compliance requirements.
• Excellent customer service skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and empathetically with students from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong organisational, analytical, and problem solving skills with high attention to detail and accuracy.

Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults:

In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, all employment offers are subject to employment checks. These include (some of which are dependent on the role and the individual): Enhanced DBS including Children's Barred List check, DfE teaching/management Barred List check, online searches, overseas criminal record check, evidence of identity and Right to Work in the UK, satisfactory references, confirmation of medical fitness, evidence of relevant qualifications and a check of previous employment history. The College is committed to safeguarding and promotes the welfare of all learners and expects its staff to share this commitment. You will be required to become familiar with the College's policies, and comply with the requirements to safeguard and protect the welfare of children and young people and vulnerable adults. All staff are asked to complete mandatory training in relation to KCSIE and other key areas, and to read the relevant policies.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

The College has a strong commitment to working towards the implementation of equality of opportunity in both service delivery and employment. The College's mission and strategic objectives directly support this aim. All employees are required to actively support the development, dissemination and implementation of this aim and related policies and programmes.

The salary for this position is inclusive of London weighting. Please note that we advertise our salaries on a range to indicate the trajectory of progression that can be made. Appointments are usually made at the start of the salary range. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early, should we receive sufficient applications.

Closing Date: 03/05/2026

Interview Date: TBC