Director of MIS, Funding & Data

This is a pivotal College Leadership Team (CLT) role, responsible for setting and delivering the College’s data and MIS strategy and providing strategic leadership across management information, data governance, business intelligence, statutory reporting and examinations.

Reporting to the Deputy CEO - Finance, you will connect complex data architecture, funding requirements and regulatory obligations with organisational decision-making. You will ensure that leaders, managers and governors have access to reliable information, clear insight and timely assurance to support curriculum planning, financial sustainability and improved student outcomes.

Working collaboratively across curriculum and professional services, you will strengthen data governance, statutory compliance and inspection readiness; develop accessible business intelligence and forecasting; and provide strategic ownership of the College’s core student-record, reporting and examinations systems.

This is an exciting opportunity for an analytical, credible and forward-thinking leader to shape the future of data and information services within one of the South’s largest Further Education colleges, building confidence in data and ensuring it is used effectively to improve performance and learner outcomes., As Director of MIS, Funding & Data, you will:

• Set and deliver the College’s data and MIS strategy, aligned with its strategic, curriculum and financial priorities.
• Establish clear data governance, ownership, standards and controls so information is consistent, secure and trusted across the organisation.
• Take overall accountability for accurate, timely and compliant statutory returns, including the Individualised Learner Record and relevant DfE, ESFA and OfS returns.
• Safeguard and optimise College income through effective funding controls, reconciliation, exception reporting and the timely resolution of data and compliance risks.
• Lead the development of accessible management information, dashboards, forecasting and scenario-planning that support Executive, governors and operational leaders to make well-informed decisions.
• Partner with curriculum and finance leaders to support data-informed curriculum planning, performance management and financial sustainability.
• Lead the College’s data-quality framework and ensure organisational readiness for Ofsted inspection, funding audits, awarding-organisation activity and other external scrutiny.
• Provide strategic ownership of the College’s student-record and MIS platforms, ensuring systems are secure, resilient, integrated and supported by effective change control.
• Provide strategic oversight of examinations and associated operational data services, maintaining accurate processes and high professional standards.
• Lead and develop high-performing MIS, data, analytical and examinations teams, building data capability, accountability and a strong customer-focused culture.
• Contribute as a member of the College Leadership Team, providing concise assurance on performance and risk and supporting wider College improvement.

We are seeking a credible and highly analytical senior leader with the professional expertise to lead complex data, funding and systems services in a regulated education environment., * A degree, equivalent high-level professional qualification or substantial relevant industry experience.

• Significant leadership experience within an MIS, data or business intelligence function in Further Education or a similarly regulated education environment.
• Proven experience of leading accurate and timely ILR and other complex statutory data returns.
• Deep and current knowledge of DfE and ESFA funding rules, ILR requirements and relevant compliance frameworks.
• Experience of managing funding audit, assurance or inspection data and maintaining robust evidence trails.
• Experience of developing management information, dashboards, forecasting or scenario-planning for senior decision-makers.
• Strong knowledge of Further Education student-record systems and associated data architecture, including ProSolution or a comparable platform.
• Strong analytical and business-intelligence capability, including the ability to interrogate complex data, identify risk and present clear conclusions.
• Working knowledge of SQL or T-SQL for data extraction, transformation and validation.
• Proven experience of leading specialist teams through change and service improvement and of influencing senior leaders, governors, auditors and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills, professional integrity and the ability to explain complex technical and funding matters clearly to non-technical audiences.

Experience of strategic oversight of examinations, timetabling, admissions or related education administration would be advantageous, as would knowledge of apprenticeship funding, the Adult Skills Fund, subcontractor reporting or higher education data requirements.

In return, you will receive:

• Invest in Your Growth: Access a wide range of training, in-house coaching, workshops and funding for qualifications, with opportunities for funded research and potential international travel.
• Generous Pension: Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Ample Time Off: A generous annual leave package to support a healthy work-life balance.
• Flexible Working: Opportunities for agile and flexible working arrangements where operationally appropriate.
• Exclusive Discounts: Access to an NUS TOTUM or Blue Light card, offering discounts with hundreds of retailers.
• Wellbeing Support: Access to wellbeing initiatives and Employee Assistance support services.
• Community Engagement: Opportunities to participate in volunteering and fundraising for local and national charities, including Give As You Earn.