Student Finance Manager in City of Westminster

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.

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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Equal Opportunities Statement

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.

Safeguarding and Employment Checks

All employment offers are subject to employment checks including an enhanced DBS (including Children's Barred List) and DfE teaching/management Barred List checks, online searches, overseas criminal record checks, 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.