Funding and Data Officer

JOB TITLE: Funding and Data Officer

LOCATION: Petty Pool Vocational College, Pool Lane, Sandiway, Cheshire, CW8 2DR

REPORTS TO: Performance and Business Support Lead

SALARY: £33, £36, Grade 5)

HOURS: 35 hours per week – Monday – Friday (8.30am – 4.30pm)

DBS: Enhanced check required

Our values:

• Ambitious – Striving for excellence in everything we do
• Brave – Fearless in our boldness
• Creative – exploring innovation and embracing change
• Collaborative – feeling valued and adding value

Job Purpose

The Funding and Data Officer ensures the accuracy, integrity and effective use of all college data. This includes leading ILR preparation and data cleansing, overseeing MIS and operational processes, proactively monitoring compliance deadlines, administering surveys, providing operational oversight, and coordinating business support functions across Education and Alternative Education.

A key aspect of the role is to bridge Curriculum, Quality, Finance and Business Support, ensuring that processes, systems and reporting work together effectively. The postholder must be confident working with senior leaders—guiding, influencing and constructively challenging—to maintain high standards of data quality, compliance and operational consistency.

The role supports enrolment, quality processes, Ofsted readiness and funding compliance, while maintaining strong, efficient operational systems across the college.

Key Responsibilities

ILR, Funding & Compliance

• Lead operational responsibility for ILR data accuracy and timely submission, working alongside the external ILR consultant.
• Manage data cleansing and ensure compliance with ESFA funding rules and deadlines.
• Maintain audit-ready ILR and learner data at all times.
• Support staff understanding of data-entry and compliance requirements.

MIS, Data Systems & Processes

• Manage and develop the college MIS, including event logs, forms and workflows for meaningful, reportable data capture.
• Structure data effectively within the system to ensure high-quality reporting for curriculum, quality, finance and leadership.
• Identify gaps in data collection and translate narrative requirements into quantifiable fields.
• Streamline systems and processes for consistency and efficiency across the college.
• Maintain clear documentation for systems and procedures.

Proactive Data Monitoring & KPI Reporting

• Monitor all data deadlines and compliance requirements, alerting SLT proactively to risks (e.g., targets, reviews, enrolment accuracy).
• Produce regular dashboards and KPI reports aligned to Ofsted expectations, quality processes and funding needs.
• Ensure data is Ofsted-ready and complete at all times.
• Maintain a forward plan of data and reporting deadlines, providing early-warning alerts to managers and SLT.
• Support SLT and managers with analysis for planning, quality assurance and decision-making.

Enrolment & Learner Data

• Oversee enrolment to ensure accurate, complete and compliant learner records.
• Support, train and guide staff to ensure consistent high-quality data at entry points.
• Ensure enrolment data supports ILR, safeguarding, curriculum planning and audit requirements.

Surveys, Stakeholder Voice & Quality

• Administer learner, employer and parent surveys.
• Work with the Quality & Standards Lead on survey design, scheduling and reporting.
• Produce clear, robust survey analysis for SLT and support quality improvement planning.

Data Protection & Information Governance

• Identify and report data protection risks or breaches, supporting the DPO with investigations and follow-up.
• Promote good data protection practice and ensure secure handling of learner information.
• Maintain appropriate access, storage and data governance within MIS and related systems.

Operational Oversight: Finance & College Calendar

• Provide oversight of operational functions including purchasing, budget monitoring and the College Calendar, ensuring processes are followed and key deadlines are met.
• Work with business support and finance teams to maintain accurate records and ensure effective communication of key operational information across the college.

Business Support Leadership

• Line manage the Business Support team for the College, including staff supporting Education and Alternative Education.
• Oversee and coordinate consistent, high-quality administrative processes across teams.
• Provide direction, training, oversight and quality checks to support effective operations.
• Ensure alignment of business support activity with data, compliance and operational requirements.

Leadership, Collaboration & Cross-College Influence

• Work confidently with SLT, providing guidance, insight and constructive challenge based on data trends and compliance monitoring.
• Act as a key link between Curriculum, Quality, Finance and Business Support, ensuring joined-up operations and reporting.
• Promote a data-driven culture across the college.
• Represent the college in external discussions relating to data, systems or compliance.

Person Specification

• Strong data management and analytical skills (E)
• Experience using data systems or MIS (E)
• Good understanding of operational processes and cross-college working (E)
• Ability to structure data effectively to achieve high-quality reporting (E)
• Commitment to maintaining Ofsted-ready and audit-ready data (E)
• ILR or FE funding knowledge (D)
• Experience in education or FE settings (D)
• Understanding of Ofsted FE Toolkit and quality processes (D)

Staff Benefits

• 28 days annual leave, plus 8 public bank holidays
• On-site parking
• Company Sick pay (after passing probationary period)
• Employee Assistant Programme
• Free meals when commuting by car sharing, walking, or cycling
• Bike rack
• Eye care vouchers
• Company pension
• Smart casual dress

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £33,277.26-£36,785.65 per year

Benefits:

• Free parking
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person