HE Access and University Bursaries Lead

You will manage the full bursary cycle: from information sessions in schools, through applications and interviews, to termly student contracts, verification and payments, and ongoing support for alumni and funders. Alongside the bursaries, the HE Access and University Bursaries Lead will keep momentum on their wider post-18 destinations work: maintaining their University partnerships and HE access support for sixth forms, and supporting students pursuing alternative pathways. Key Responsibilities: coordinate the termly student contract, verification and payment process, ensuring bursary payments are accurate, timely and properly recorded; manage the annual application and interview process, including producing common guidance for interviewers and schools, and lead interviews; maintain the bursary student workflow on SharePoint, keeping records accurate, up to date and handled in line with data protection requirements; act as the first point of contact for all alumni queries about their bursary payments, resolving issues promptly and escalating where appropriate; liaise with schools, funders and alumni to deliver information sessions in schools, raising awareness of the bursary and encouraging strong applications; track the progress and outcomes of bursary recipients to support funder reporting and the ongoing development of the programme; support network approaches to helping students in KS5 with HE IAG and applications, contributing to their network goal of 77%+ progression to Ark Top Third HEIs; maintain relationships with Ark Top Third and Russell Group universities, including Oxbridge and other highly selective institutions, and ensure partner activity continues to add value for their schools; work directly with targeted school sixth forms to address access concerns and support year on year gains in progression to top third HEIs; work with colleagues across the destinations team to contribute to the network's apprenticeship support offer, including sharing opportunities and supporting students with applications and assessment centres; help schools guide each student towards their best-fit destination, whether university or an alternative pathway, based on their strengths, interests and career goals.