Funding and Compliance Manager

Nelson and Colne College; Accrington; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

LGPS membership

Health and wellbeing benefits

Staff recognition scheme

Free on-site parking

Job summary

East Lancashire Learning Group is seeking a Funding and Compliance Manager to lead ILR, funding and compliance activities across the college network. You will drive accuracy in learner data, manage funding returns and assurance processes, and provide expert guidance on funding regulations to support planning and performance.

The role involves strategic input, collaboration with Curriculum, Finance, MIS and Quality teams, and oversight of funding reporting, ensuring strong governance and

Qualifications

• Significant experience in FE funding and ILR.
• Strong knowledge of funding rules and assurance requirements.
• Experience with learner data returns and funding reporting.
• Ability to interpret complex data and identify risks.
• Excellent communication across teams to explain funding requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the ILR, funding and compliance function ensuring data is accurate and audit-ready.
• Manage funding returns, claims and reconciliations and funding assurance processes.
• Provide expert advice on funding regulations working with Curriculum, Finance, MIS and Quality teams.
• Support strategic planning through funding analysis, forecasting and risk identification.

Skills

FE funding

ILR compliance

MIS planning

Data quality

Analytical skills

Communication

Tools

EBS MIS

Job description

Funding and Compliance Manager

Salary: Up to £42,535.79 per annum, depending on experience
Hours: 37 per week
Working Weeks: 52 per year
Contract Type: Permanent
Site: Accrington and Rossendale College
Closing Date: Midnight, Thursday 3 September 2026
Interview Date: TBC

Together, Let's Be Extraordinary'

Our Organisation

This role is advertised by ELLG Professional Services. Part of East Lancashire Learning Group, ELLG Professional Services provides expert business support services to the wider Group.

East Lancashire Learning Group is made up of three merged colleges: Nelson and Colne College, Accrington and Rossendale College and Lancashire Adult Learning. The Group is a beacon for teaching and learning excellence. It is an innovative provider; a research hub for teaching and learning, with a clear ambition to deliver the best possible experience and outcomes for learners.

The Exciting Role

A new and exciting opportunity has become available for a Funding and Compliance Manager

This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role at the heart of the College's funding, compliance and data management function. As Funding & Compliance Manager, you will lead activities that directly influence funding income, regulatory compliance and organisational performance, ensuring the College maximises funding opportunities while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and accountability.

The role offers a unique blend of operational leadership and strategic influence. You will work closely with senior leaders, curriculum teams, finance and MIS colleagues, providing expert funding insight, shaping planning decisions and helping the College navigate an increasingly complex funding landscape.

This is also an excellent opportunity for an experienced funding professional to make a tangible impact. With responsibility for ILR operations, funding claims, compliance assurance and key funding returns, you will drive continuous improvement, strengthen data quality and help ensure the College remains financially strong, compliant and well-positioned for future growth.

The successful candidate will be primarily based at Accrington and Rossendale College but may be required to travel across sites.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Leading the College's ILR, funding and compliance function, ensuring learner data is accurate, compliant and audit-ready across all funding streams
• Managing funding returns, claims and reconciliations, including ownership of PDSAT, FIS, FRM, Apprenticeship Funding Reports and funding assurance processes
• Providing expert advice on funding regulations and compliance requirements, working closely with Curriculum, Finance, MIS and Quality teams to ensure consistent application of funding rules.
• Supporting strategic planning and decision-making through funding analysis, performance monitoring, forecasting and identification of funding risks and opportunities.

What We Are Looking For:

• Significant experience in FE funding, ILR, compliance, MIS or planning, with a strong understanding of funding rules and assurance requirements.
• Experience of managing learner data returns, data quality processes and funding-related reporting, ideally using EBS or a similar MIS system.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data, identify risks and support informed decision-making.
• An organised and detail-focused individual who can manage competing priorities while maintaining high standards of accuracy, compliance and accountability
• An effective communicator and relationship-builder who can work collaboratively across teams and explain complex funding requirements in a clear and practical way.

What We Offer in Return:

• Generous annual leave allowance, plus Bank Holidays and closure days, and including a two-week closure over the Christmas period.
• Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Enhanced occupational sick pay scheme and access to family friendly policies and benefits
• A range of health and wellbeing benefits and support
• Staff recognition scheme, including long service awards
• Free on-site parking on all College sites

Please visit the Careers section on our website for full details of our benefits http://www.eastlancslearning.ac.uk/