Compliance & Funding Manager – Apprenticeships

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United Kingdom.

📋 Description

• Lead KnowledgeBrief's engagement with DfE funding audits and designated external auditors, encompassing audit preparation, learner sample collection, evidence requests, fieldwork responses, findings, and follow-up actions.

• Strategize and implement internal funding assurance reviews, mock audits, and learner file sampling.

• Investigate discrepancies, determine if issues are systemic, and evaluate potential funding exposure with Finance.

• Manage the monthly and year-end ILR cycle, from data collection and validation to reconciliation, submission, and review of funding and acceptance reports.

• Keep accurate learner and funding records across PICS, KBPro, the apprenticeship service, and internal systems.

• Address discrepancies and maintain a transparent audit trail.

• Supervise learner eligibility, prior learning, onboarding evidence, apprenticeship agreements, training plans, assessment registrations, and gateway checks.

• Ensure claims are substantiated and learners are prepared for assessment.

• Lead and cultivate compliance, onboarding, and data teams.

• Establish clear priorities and ensure adequate coverage around learner starts, submission deadlines, and assessment activities.

• Convert funding rule changes into actionable processes, controls, templates, and guidance.

• Collaborate with teams to guarantee consistent implementation of changes.

• Partner with Finance to reconcile funding earnings, receipts, and adjustments.

• Monitor co-investment and additional payments while addressing funding risks or discrepancies.

• Maintain the compliance risk register and audit action tracker.

• Report findings, corrective measures, and potential funding exposure to the Head of Apprenticeships & Training and senior leadership.

• Liaise with the Head of Apprenticeships & Training and collaborate closely with Finance, Delivery, Quality, Curriculum, Sales, and Digital.

• KnowledgeBrief offers apprenticeships, professional qualifications, workshops, and coaching in business management, leadership and management, digital, and business and professional services.

⛳️ Requirements

• Proven experience leading a training provider's response to an external apprenticeship funding assurance audit conducted by DfE, ESFA, or an appointed audit firm, including liaising with auditors, providing evidence, addressing findings, and implementing corrective actions.

• Hands-on experience in designing and executing internal funding audits, testing learner evidence and controls, investigating systemic errors, and assessing potential funding exposure.

• Extensive experience in apprenticeship funding, compliance, learner data, or MIS, including precise monthly ILR submissions and year-end processes.

• Up-to-date knowledge of funding regulations, ILR specifications, apprenticeship service requirements, and funding evidence.

• Experience in managing compliance, onboarding, or learner data teams and prioritizing tasks against recurring deadlines.

• Background in reconciling funding with Finance and understanding employer co-investment, levy transfers, additional payments, and evidenced learning support claims.

• Familiarity with apprenticeship onboarding, prior learning, off-the-job training, gateway and assessment administration, and how delivery evidence underpins funded data.

• Strong analytical, spreadsheet, and data management capabilities, with the ability to investigate inconsistencies and present findings clearly.

• Level 2 qualifications in English and maths, or equivalent.

• Evidence of ongoing professional development in apprenticeship funding, compliance, or learner data.

• Employs sound judgment and constructive criticism to safeguard learners, funding, and the organization.

• Communicates technical requirements effectively and fosters strong relationships across diverse teams.

• Takes ownership of details and deadlines while remaining focused on the learner journey.

• Leads colleagues with clarity, empathy, and a commitment to their development.

• Desirable: relevant qualification in business administration, data management, finance, or compliance, or equivalent professional development.

• Desirable: management qualification, or training in audit, data protection, or process improvement.

• Desirable: experience aiding Ofsted preparations and working with an in-house learner management platform.

• Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment checks, including right to work verification, references, and DBS checks where applicable.

🏝️ Benefits

• 5.6 weeks of annual leave.

• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme.

• Dedicated monthly CPD days upon successful completion of probation.

• Two weeks of paid time off during Christmas and New Year upon successful completion of probation.

• Company sick pay upon successful completion of probation.

• Opportunities to participate in cross-team projects and contribute to organizational growth.

• A remote-first work environment with chances to connect in person.

• Reasonable adjustments available throughout the recruitment process.