Imperial College London
Job Description
Job Title:
Student Finance Systems and Data Analyst
Department:
Accounting Operations
Finance Division
Level:
Professional Services, Level 3b
Responsible To:
Student Finance Systems, Data and Analysis Manager
Key Working Relationships: (internal to dept/div)
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Accounts Receivable
Credit Control
Accounts Payable
Management Accounting
Key Working Relationships: (external to dept/div)
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International Office
ICT
Communications
Registry
a. Systems
b. Admissions
c. Records
d. Student Financial Support
e. Examinations
Departmental Administrators
Departmental Operations Managers
Faculty Finance Officers
Faculty Operating Officers
Course Convenors
Principle Investigators/Student Supervisors
Student Hub
Student Accommodation Office
Students
Key Working Relationships: (external to College)
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Research Councils
Student Loans Company
Local Education Authorities & Young People’s Learning Agency
UK National Student Finance Bodies
NHS Student Funding Bodies
UK Borders Agency
Corporate Sponsors
Collaborative Institutions, Joint PGR Students and Host Institutions including:
a. A*STAR (Singapore Agency for Science, Technology and Research)
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b. MIDP (Malaysian International Doctoral Programme)
c. University of Hong Kong
d. National University of Singapore
e. Nanyang Technology University
f. Royal College of Art
g. University College London
Embassies (both within and outside the UK)
Commonwealth Scholarships
British Council
Parents/Guardians of Students
Campus Location:
SK Campus
Purpose of the Post:
The post holder will utilise, maintain and assist in the development of in-house software applications and
procedures for data collection and analysis with regards to tuition fees and student finance; the post-holder will
work under the direction of the Student Finance Systems, Data and Analysis Manager but will also be expected
to be pro-active in analysis of current information provision to identify enhancements and developments where
possible. The post holder will be required to be familiar with both internal policy and practice and the legislative
and regulatory framework where appropriate. The post holder will be responsible for oversight of the tuition
fee invoicing process including error resolution on a day-to-day basis ensuring all tuition fee billing is completed
in a timely and correct manner. The post holder will also assist the Tuition Fees team on an ad hoc basis as per
operational requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
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Undertake both strategic and routine analysis of tuition fees charging and prepare the analysis for
presentation to managers within and outside finance, College Senior Management and colleagues
Maintain records and data formats within Student Finance for audit compliance and provision of
information for external reporting such as HEFCE returns
Assist in the internal and external audit processes where required
Undertake and react to analysis of student enrolment conditions and other factors to complete the
tuition fees billing cycle
Provide technical support for fee setting and upload including development where directed by the
Student Finance Systems, Data and Analysis Manager
Maintenance of tuition fee information presented on the College website ensuring accuracy, relevance
and ease of use
Ensure accuracy in tuition fee billing and investigate and resolve errors when required
Oversee the tuition fee invoice process including immediate error resolution and personally running the
process as and when required
Undertake system testing work under the direction of the Systems, Data and Analysis Manager
Assist in the design and development of in-house solutions to data and work-flow management within
Student Finance
Assist the Tuition Fees team in the management of over 16,000 student and 1,750 sponsor accounts
where necessary under the direction of the Systems, Data and Analysis Manager and the Tuition Fees
Officer
Attend relevant courses and workshops to improve and develop knowledge and skills as required
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Responsibility
Action
To Achieve
Invoice Process
Management
Undertake the tuition fees
invoicing process including error
resolution, process development
and liaison with ICT where
necessary
Support both Student Finance and
other areas of the College with
accurate, relevant and specific
routine and ad hoc reports on
performance, data trends and
significant occurrences
Efficient, timely and correct
generation of tuition fee invoices
accounting for 20% of College
income
Data Analysis and
Reporting
Tuition Fees Processing
and Support
Systems Testing and
Development
Communications and
Information
Management
General enquiry handling including
enquiries on payment terms and
methods of payment, account
details, bursaries and sponsorships,
Tier 4 visa information and
enquiries from prospective
students; account management
including Fee Assessment where
appropriate
Working under the direction of the
Systems, Data and Analysis
Manager to test developments
both to central and in-house
systems; undertaking directed and
pro-active development work on
in-house systems; maintenance of
existing in-house systems
Maintenance of Student Finance
website and other communications
to ensure validity and clarity of
information
Student Finance related
performance monitoring and
reporting throughout College;
monitoring performance against
budget and other key performance
indicators to identify and highlight
areas of concern
Provision of accurate information
regarding current processes,
procedure and policy and ensuring
provision of suitable paperwork in a
timely and efficient manner; correct
and accurate billing of fees to
students and sponsors protecting
and securing a significant portion of
College income
Streamlining and management of
internal workflow and improvements
to current system and non-system
capabilities increasing efficiency,
reliability and accuracy; ensuring
current business-critical in-house
systems are maintained and
development is deployed in a timely
fashion
Strong communication providing
relevant and clear information to
students and other interested
parties especially with regard to
changes to tuition fees and payment
terms to ensure Imperial’s fee
structure and provisions are clear
and easy to understand
% Time
Spent
25
30
15
20
10
The successful candidate will also comply with all relevant College policies, including Data Protection, Financial
Regulations, Equal Opportunities Policy, Promoting Race Equality Policy, Health and Safety Policy, Information
Systems Security Policy and Intellectual Property Rights and Register of Interests Policies.
Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and so the post holder may be required to undertake other duties which
are broadly in line with the above responsibilities.
Imperial College London is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating discrimination. All
employees are expected to adhere to the principles set out in the Equal Opportunities Policy, Promoting Race
Equality Policy and Disability Policy and all other relevant guidance/practice frameworks.
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Person Specification
Job Title: Student Finance Systems and Data Analyst
Education and Qualifications:
Essential
 A good honours degree or equivalent and /or relevant experience in the Higher Education Sector
Experience and Knowledge:
Desirable
 A demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the Higher Education Sector as a whole (as a student
or in a working capacity) especially with regards to Student Finance
 Experience of writing and utilizing SQL queries
 Strong technical knowledge including HTML, XML and VBA macros for Microsoft Excel
 A computing qualification including programming
Essential
 Experience of data retrieval report design
 Strong experience in collating and analysing information from different sources and in producing
summary and in-depth analysis reports
 Proven experience in progressing multiple tasks alongside each other and the flexibility to respond
actively to changing demands and priorities
 Proven knowledge of Microsoft applications especially Excel and commercial database applications
especially Oracle
Skills and Abilities:
Essential
 Experience of providing a responsive, customer-focused service – on the telephone, via electronic media
and face-to-face
 Accuracy and close attention to detail
 Understanding of data-retrieval and management techniques
 Imagination to apply skills and knowledge in new contexts with an innovative approach to problem
solving
 A pro-active and flexible approach to work with the ability to work independently as well as under direct
supervision as part of a larger team and the ability to work well under pressure
 Ability to manage workload with limited supervision and to initiate action to complete work to deadlines
 Ability to use initiative to meet deadlines and requirements without recourse to line management
 Proven analytical skills including the ability to gather and understand information and to solve problems
 Good time-management skills and the ability to progress multiple work-streams simultaneously
 Experience of statistical analysis of data and the provision of summary information
 Ability to understand and interpret financial information
 Excellent oral and written communication skills
 Willingness and ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
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