Head of Student Fees and Funding - #2184807

Head of Student Fees and Funding

Location: Manchester 

Organisation: UK Management College (UKMC) 

Job Type: Full-Time 

Work Pattern: On-site / Office-Based – 5 days per week 

Salary: £50,000 – £60,000 per annum

About UK Management College

UK Management College (UKMC) is a growing higher education provider committed to delivering accessible, high-quality education and an excellent student experience.

As we continue to develop our operations and strengthen our student support services, we are seeking an experienced and proactive Head of Student Fees and Funding to lead our student finance operations and support our continued growth.

About the Role

We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced Head of Student Fees and Funding to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of our Student Fees and Funding function.

This is a key leadership position responsible for overseeing student funding eligibility, tuition fee administration, Student Loans Company (SLC) processes, fee collection, financial compliance and operational performance across our campuses and university partnerships.

The successful candidate will lead a dedicated team, develop robust policies and procedures, drive continuous improvement and work closely with senior management to ensure efficient, compliant and student-focused services.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Operational Management

• Lead and develop the Student Fees and Funding function, ensuring operational effectiveness across campuses and university partnerships.
• Design, implement and continuously improve policies, procedures and operational controls.
• Identify financial and funding-related risks, implementing appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Work collaboratively with senior leadership to align departmental objectives with institutional priorities.

Student Funding and Tuition Fee Management

• Oversee Student Loans Company (SLC), Student Finance England (SFE) and Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) processes.
• Manage funding eligibility assessments, verification procedures, funding approvals and tuition fee loan administration.
• Monitor outstanding tuition fee balances and develop effective, student-focused collection strategies.
• Oversee payment arrangements and financial support processes where appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with relevant student funding regulations and university partner requirements.

Compliance, Governance and Reporting

• Maintain compliance with SLC requirements, UK GDPR, data protection legislation and internal financial policies.
• Establish effective governance, audit controls and accurate record-keeping processes.
• Lead internal and external audits relating to student funding and tuition fees.
• Produce and present management information, performance reports and financial analysis to senior leadership.
• Monitor key performance indicators, including funding approvals, fee collection, outstanding balances and compliance.

People Management and Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead, manage and develop the Student Fees and Funding team, promoting accountability and high performance.
• Establish clear objectives, monitor departmental performance and support professional development.
• Build strong working relationships with academic departments, finance teams, campus management and university partners.
• Act as the senior escalation point for complex student funding and tuition fee matters.
• Provide guidance and training to internal stakeholders on funding requirements and procedures.

Systems and Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve efficiency and enhance the student experience.
• Support automation and digital transformation initiatives.
• Develop reporting tools, dashboards and operational workflows.
• Collaborate with IT and other departments to improve data accuracy, systems integration and service delivery.

About You

We are looking for a confident and commercially aware leader with strong knowledge of student finance operations and the ability to manage complex processes within a higher education environment.

Essential Requirements

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
• Significant experience in student finance, student funding or tuition fee administration.
• Proven experience managing teams and leading operational functions.
• Strong working knowledge of Student Finance England (SFE) and/or Student Loans Company (SLC) processes.
• Experience in tuition fee administration, financial reporting and debt management.
• Understanding of higher education funding regulations, compliance and governance.
• Experience developing and implementing policies, procedures and operational controls.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including reporting and data analysis.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver against deadlines.

Desirable

• Relevant qualification in finance, accounting, student funding or higher education.
• Experience working across multiple campuses or university partnerships.
• Experience implementing process improvements, automation or digital reporting solutions.
• Knowledge of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) framework.

Why Join UKMC?

At UK Management College, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to a growing higher education institution.

You will play a central role in shaping our student funding operations, improving financial processes and supporting a positive student experience.

This is an opportunity to lead a key business function, collaborate with senior leadership and contribute to the ongoing development of UKMC.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

UK Management College is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and providing a welcoming and supportive environment for all.

We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment practices.

How to Apply

If you are an experienced student finance professional with strong leadership capabilities and a passion for operational excellence, we would welcome your application.

Apply today and become part of the UKMC team.