Bursary Specialist

About the Role

As a Bursary Specialist based in Johannesburg for KPMG South Africa, you will play a critical part in managing and coordinating the national bursary programme. Your work will directly support the recruitment of a diverse range of graduates and ensure the smooth operation of all bursary-related functions across KPMG's South African offices. This position reports to the National Bursaries and Recruiting Manager and is key to maintaining an effective and compliant bursary system.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the bursary lifecycle, from initial applications to renewals, contractual processes, payment administration, recoveries, financial reconciliation, and regular status reporting.
• Oversee the bursary budget by monitoring spend, identifying potential overspend risks early, and providing monthly spend reports to management.
• Ensure timely payment processing and uphold compliance with firm policies, financial controls, and governance standards; maintain meticulous records for audits.
• Identify and escalate any process inefficiencies, system weaknesses, or policy non-compliance.
• Fulfil both statutory and internal report requirements consistently and within tight deadlines.
• Maintain strong collaboration with internal teams—including recruitment, finance, shared services, and university contacts—as well as with the bursary recipients themselves.
• Work closely with leadership to annually update bursary policies, including eligibility and selection criteria.
• Efficiently handle high volumes of queries and support recruiters and administrators on special campus and career-directed initiatives.
• Supervise and guide the bursary administrator and intern.
• Utilise social media and online platforms to promote bursary opportunities and assist in designing marketing strategies to attract top talent.
• Manage all documentation, registration verifications, grade tracking, and policy-driven suspension or cancellation actions as required.

Core Skills and Competencies

• Proven strength in administration, organisation, and document management.
• High attention to detail, numerical accuracy, and experience in reconciliation and data reporting.
• Excellent time management with the ability to prioritise several projects simultaneously in a high-pressure environment.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills; strong stakeholder relationship management.
• Experienced with team management, process improvement, and robust follow-up methodology.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and familiar with recruitment, finance, and document management systems.
• Demonstrates ownership, accountability, and a proactive, solutions-oriented attitude.

Minimum Requirements

• At least 3 to 5 years of end-to-end bursary administration experience, especially with managing high-volume cases.
• Direct experience in a professional services environment is an advantage.
• Comfortable overseeing small teams and collaborating across departments.