Director: Revenue and Financial Aid

University of Venda; Thohoyandou; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in South Africa seeks an experienced leader for Student Financial Aid and Treasury functions. This role involves strategic leadership, innovative financial initiatives, and the application of advanced technology to enhance student financial processes. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in student finance and a strong educational background, along with the ability to lead change and foster inclusive solutions.

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience in student finance, revenue, or treasury, with 8+ in senior roles.
• Proven expertise in data analytics and financial modelling.
• Strong knowledge of higher education funding frameworks and policies.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership in student financial aid and treasury functions.
• Implement AI-powered models to optimize credit control.
• Lead a high-performing team and build stakeholder relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Data analytics

Financial modelling

ERP systems

Emotional intelligence

Strategic thinking

Education

Honours degree in Accounting, Financial Management, or related field

SAICA, CIMA, ACCA, or SAIPA registration

Tools

ERP systems (ITS)

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Innovation

·Provide strategic and operational leadership in student financial aid, revenue, debt, and treasury functions.

• Spearheaddigital transformation(e.g., AI-driven debt recovery, smart contracts for NSFAS disbursements, digital wallets for fee payments) to streamline operations and enhance student experience.
• Pilotsustainable finance initiatives, such as green bursaries linked to climate-focused programs.

·Explore sustainable finance initiatives, such as green bursaries linked to climate-focused academic programmes or ESG-compliant investment portfolios.

Financial Aid Excellence

• Automate bursary administration usingmodern technologies for transparent, tamper-proof fund distribution.
• Monitor equity KPIs (e.g., funding approval rates for marginalised students) via real-time dashboards.

3. Revenue & Debt Management

• ImplementAI-powered risk modelsto optimise credit control and reduce bad debt.
• Achieve90%+ student satisfactionwith streamlined payment and aid processes.
• Design and implement equitable financial aid policies that proactively address barriers for marginalised student groups, leveraging data analytics to monitor impact.
• Oversee treasury operations, including banking, cash flow, and investment portfolios.

Stakeholder & Team Leadership

• Lead a high-performing team with a focuson agility, data literacy, and service excellence.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships and collaborations with students, funders, internal departments, and national agencies to co-design inclusive solutions

·Undertake continuous reporting to the Executive Management Committee and the Council.

Requirements

Essential

oHonours degree in Accounting, Financial Management, or related field; SAICA, CIMA, ACCA, or SAIPA registration preferred.

o10+ years’ experience (8+ in senior roles) in student finance, revenue, or treasury.

oProven expertise inERP systems (ITS), data analytics, and financial modelling.

oStrong knowledge of Higher Education funding frameworks, IFRS, and DHET policies.

oA visionary leader with integrity, emotional intelligence, and the ability to lead change.

Desirable

oExperience with new technologies or fintech applications in financial services.

oTrack record of reducing systemic barriers in student funding.