OFS
Senior Regulation Manager
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Senior Regulation Manager
Salary: £56,209 – £58,820 plus generous Civil Service defined benefit pension
Location: Bristol
Post responsible to: Head of Regulatory Portfolio
We are the independent regulator of higher education in England. We aim to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers.
The higher education sector in England is complex and diverse, and the OfS’s approach to regulation recognises this. Our strategy signals a shift from an organisation in a start-up phase to an established regulator that understands its regulatory tools and how best to use them to shape incentives across the sector we regulate. We work to ensure that students in England enjoy higher education provision that is high quality; that their access to opportunity, success, and progression is not limited by background, location, or characteristics; and that providers are well and sustainably led.
About the Role
We are looking for a Senior Regulation Manager to join the Regulation directorate in one of our agile regulatory roles. While Senior Regulation Managers may work across different areas of the directorate during their time with the OfS, the initial assignment for this post will be within our funding portfolio.
You will lead workstreams related to the OfS's funding function and be responsible for leading areas of activity within our programme of funding allocations, alongside the monitoring and assurance of this funding. Working with complex datasets, funding information, and regulatory evidence, you will help ensure that public funding is allocated effectively, transparently, and in support of the OfS's strategic priorities.
You may be involved in:
- Leading elements of the OfS's funding allocation and assurance processes
- Analysing and interpreting complex datasets, funding information, and regulatory evidence to support decision-making
- Developing clear, robust, and evidence-based recommendations on funding and regulatory matters
- Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness and impact of funding programmes and initiatives
- Identifying and managing risks associated with funding allocations and funded activities
- Working collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders to develop funding methodologies, processes, and guidance
- Communicating complex analytical findings clearly and effectively to a range of audiences.
This role is particularly suited to individuals with strong analytical capabilities who enjoy working with data and evidence to solve complex problems. Candidates are likely to possess excellent numerical and reasoning skills, with the ability to interpret and advise on complex or unusual data, funding, and regulatory issues, and to translate detailed analysis into clear and actionable recommendations.
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You will also provide leadership within and across teams, managing complex workstreams, supporting colleagues, and ensuring delivery against the OfS business plan. Working closely with internal and external stakeholders, you will manage sensitive or high-risk issues with professionalism and sound judgement, building effective relationships and driving high-quality outcomes in a complex and evolving regulatory environment.
How we do things is as important to us as what we do. You will demonstrate leadership through our strategic attitudes of being ambitious, collaborative, vigilant, and vocal, helping to deliver effective regulation while supporting colleagues and fostering a positive and inclusive working culture.
To find out more about the OfS and the type of work you may get involved in, visit Home – Office for Students
About You
While you may not have worked previously in a regulator, you will be interested in taking on a role where your judgement, leadership, and analytical skills help protect students and support confidence in the higher education sector.
Person specification (essential skills)
- Ability to:
- Lead and manage a flexible team of staff, their wellbeing, performance, and development need
- Understand and interpret the OfS’s regulatory framework and to use this to undertake assessments, risk assessments, and interventions; to implement and communicate aspects of the regulatory framework and support teams to do this
- Reach and convey reliable and robust judgements on the basis of complex and, at times, imperfect information and articulate the OfS’s approach clearly to providers
- Work with high levels of complexity and ambiguity
- Think broadly about the theory and practice of regulation
- Adopt a systems approach to service design and delivery
- Work collaboratively and flexibly to deliver the team’s functions
- Undertake professional line management and activity management in a complex environment through a matrix structure
- Effectively communicate policies and requirements clearly when working in teams and teams that include external members
- Produce clear written documentation to comply with the OfS’s tone of voice guidance.
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Application Process
To apply, please submit your CV and covering letter. Your covering letter should be no more than 1000 words and address how your skills and experience can be applied to the Regulation of Higher Education, as outlined in the job advert.
Applications will be shortlisted against criteria 1, 3, 4, 7, and 9, so please ensure you address these fully in your application.
If shortlisted, you will be invited to an interview. As part of the interview process, you will be asked to complete a task.
During the interview, you will also be asked to present your findings and discuss your approach. The remaining essential criteria will be assessed through competency-based questions and discussion.
Working for Us
The OfS regulates the higher education sector on behalf of all students. We value diversity and the wealth of perspectives, experience, and ideas that it brings to our work, and we strive to embed equality of opportunity in everything we do.
We recruit based on fair and open competition and welcome applications from candidates regardless of age, disability, race and ethnicity, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
Flexibility is important to the OfS, as we recognise that it can enable people to work more effectively. A set of organisation-wide principles shape our approach to flexible and hybrid working, which our teams use as guidance on how they deliver their business goals. In a typical week, we expect colleagues to spend several days working from the office, balancing business needs, team collaboration, and individual responsibilities.
To attract the widest possible field of qualified applicants, flexible working, for example, job share and part-time working, apply to this role.
Reasonable Adjustments
We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you through the application stage, please contact us at recruitmentteam@officeforstudents.org.uk and we will be happy to help.
Closing date for applications: Monday 7th September at noon.
Interviews: TBC
For information: the OfS does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence.
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