Funding and Compliance Officer

Inspire Education Group (IEG) is a prominent provider of further and higher education, encompassing Peterborough College, Stamford College, and University Centre Peterborough, and delivering diverse educational and training opportunities across Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire. The group is committed to transforming lives through innovative learning, offering a wide range of vocational, technical, and higher education programmes, as well as specialised commercial training, all aimed at empowering students and supporting the development of the region's workforce.

Are you an analytical, detail-driven professional who takes pride in producing accurate, high-quality data? Do you enjoy solving problems, working with complex datasets, and ensuring compliance with funding rules and audit requirements?

If so, Inspire Education Group has an excellent opportunity for a Funding and Compliance Officer to join our high-performing MIS team.

Role Description

As a key member of the Data, Funding and Compliance Team, you will ensure that student and funding data is accurate, compliant and ready for timely ILR, HESA and OfS returns. Your work is essential to the college’s funding, planning, reporting and audit readiness.

You will take responsibility for ILR processing, data validation, funding reports, internal audits, and the systematic checking of student data across all curriculum areas. You will also support colleagues across the college, providing guidance on data requirements, responding to service desk queries, and helping maintain strong data quality standards.

This is a fast-paced, analytical role ideal for someone who enjoys working with detail, systems, regulations and high-impact data processes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Produce accurate and timely ILR submissions; analyse and correct DfE validation errors and funding reports.
• Ensure accurate HE data for HESA and OfS returns, maintaining compliance and avoiding over/under claims.
• Run PDSAT, SCORE and funding monitoring reports, identifying issues and coordinating corrective actions.
• Conduct routine internal data audits, ensuring compliance with all funding and audit requirements.
• Support curriculum planning by ensuring accurate data is available for planning and reporting.
• Work closely with Student Records to ensure precise, timely data entry across all funding streams.
• Validate and clean student data to ensure completeness and accuracy across systems.
• Support internal and external audits by preparing, collating and validating evidence.
• Assist with enrolment activities, ensuring data is captured correctly from the outset.
• Provide excellent customer service, responding to service desk queries and supporting staff with training on processes and systems.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of DfE, HESA and local authority funding rules.

What we're looking for:

• Level 3 qualification (minimum)
• Strong IT skills, including advanced Microsoft Office and data systems
• Significant experience working with data, analysis, quality checks or reporting
• Experience in an FE environment
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to prioritise, work under pressure, and meet tight deadlines
• Strong communication skills and ability to explain processes clearly
• Analytical and methodical approach to problem-solving
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Commitment to safeguarding, equality and IEG values

Why join IEG?:

• Local Government Pension Scheme
• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays and discretionary days
• A supportive, collaborative MIS team
• Opportunities for professional development and progression
• A role that directly contributes to the accuracy, funding and success of the organisation