Director Revenue and Financial Aid

Department University of Venda -> Vice Chancellor and Principal -> Chief Financial Office -> Finance -> Revenue and Financial Aid Job Title DIRECTOR REVENUE AND FINANCIAL AID (B838) Post Level Grade 5 Job Type Support - Univen Funded Closing Date Job Requirements **Lead the Digital and Financial Transformation of Student Success** The University of Venda seeks a visionary leader to drive financial sustainability, equitable access, and cutting-edge innovation as our Director: Revenue and Financial Aid. This pivotal role combines strategic finance leadership with transformative technology to revolutionise student funding, revenue management, and treasury operations. As a member of the senior finance team, you will lead a high-performing department that supports student access, drives revenue enhancement, and safeguards institutional cash flow; all while embracing digital transformation, quality service delivery, and governance excellence. We need a digitally fluent, data-driven leader who can: - Harness AI, blockchain, and fintech solutions to automate bursary disbursements, predict debt risks, and streamline payments. - Champion financial inclusion by designing policies that proactively support low-income students, persons with disabilities, and other marginalised groups. - Deliver measurable results, such as reducing debt write-offs by 15% through predictive analytics while maintaining student-centric support. **Key Responsibilities** **1. Strategic Leadership & Innovation** - Provide strategic and operational leadership in student financial aid, revenue, debt, and treasury functions. - Spearhead digital transformation (e.g., AI-driven debt recovery, smart contracts for NSFAS disbursements, digital wallets for fee payments) to streamline operations and enhance student experience. - Pilot sustainable finance initiatives, such as green bursaries linked to climate-focused programs. - Explore sustainable finance initiatives, such as green bursaries linked to climate-focused academic programmes or ESG-compliant investment portfolios. **2. Financial Aid Excellence** - Automate bursary administration using modern technologies for transparent, tamper-proof fund distribution. - Monitor equity KPIs (e.g., funding approval rates for marginalised students) via real-time dashboards. **3. Revenue & Debt Management** - Implement AI-powered risk models to optimise credit control and reduce bad debt. - Achieve 90 %+ student satisfaction with streamlined payment and aid processes. - Design and implement equitable financial aid policies that proactively address barriers for marginalised student groups, leveraging data analytics to monitor impact. - Oversee treasury operations, including banking, cash flow, and investment portfolios. **4. Stakeholder & Team Leadership** - Lead a high-performing team with a focus on agility, data literacy, and service excellence. - Build strong stakeholder relationships and collaborations with students, funders, internal departments, and national agencies to co-design inclusive solutions - Undertake continuous reporting to the Executive Management Committee and the Council. **Requirements**: **Essential** - Honours degree in Accounting, Financial Management, or related field; SAICA, CIMA, ACCA, or SAIPA registration preferred. - 10+ years’ experience (8+ in managerial role(s)) in student finance, revenue, or treasury. - Proven expertise in ERP systems (ITS), data analytics, and financial modelling. - Strong knowledge of Higher Education funding frameworks, IFRS, and DHET policies. - A visionary leader with integrity, emotional intelligence, and the ability to lead change. **Desirable** - Track record of reducing systemic barriers in student funding. Join us in shaping the financial future of higher education and making access to learning a reality for thousands of students.