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- Tasks: Lead impactful evaluations to shape the future of higher education and influence policy.
- Company: Join the Office for Students, the independent regulator of higher education in England.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working options, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with opportunities for professional growth and learning.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in higher education while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in evaluation and research design, with strong analytical and project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 63000 £ per year.
We’re looking for an experienced evaluator who’s excited about bringing their evaluation expertise to the Office for Students (OfS), to help ensure that higher education provides a fulfilling experience for every student!
Our evaluation team is committed to our mission to support the OfS to celebrate and use evaluation to make a positive difference to students.
If this type of role as an evaluation champion and leader sounds like you, we’d love you to apply to come and work with us!
The role is a fixed term maternity cover position, and secondments are welcomed.
About us
The Office for Students (OfS) exists to ensure that English higher education offers the best experience and the best value – for students, for taxpayers, for the economy and for the public good. We are the independent regulator of higher education in England – we regulate higher education on behalf of all students. Our mission is to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. We have high ambitions and offer great opportunities to get involved in bringing that vision to life.
About the role
The Evaluation Manager (maternity cover) will help the OfS work more effectively, by leading impactful evaluation activity and evaluative thinking across the organisation. In this role you will scope, run, and commission evaluations of OfS activity, with little supervision. You will provide expert advice on priority evidence projects, and work to champion a strong culture of evaluative thinking in the OfS. Our evaluations are typically impact and/or process evaluations, with a strong focus on theories of change and theory-based approaches, and use of mixed-methods.
We are developing our expertise in quasi-experimental approaches. You will do a mix of managing commissioned suppliers and conducting and supervising our own data collection and analysis.
Your role will include building relationships and engaging stakeholders and ensuring evaluation findings are translated into impact. You will facilitate discussions and learning exercises, deliver internal training, look for ways to share our work to maximise its impact, and look at how to build evaluation into the OfS’s ways of working. As well as managing projects, you will manage the work of junior team members and ensure high quality and timely outputs from your projects. You’ll be constantly developing your own knowledge of relevant research and evaluation and sharing this to build the knowledge of the team and wider colleagues.
We currently anticipate the maternity cover to be from February 2026 to March 2027.
About you
We are looking to recruit someone with substantial evaluation experience who is committed to using evidence to improve practices and further impact. As a manager in our team, we are also looking for someone who values working collaboratively and places high importance on learning, development and the sharing of knowledge and expertise.
Essential criteria for candidates include:
Experience of leading the scoping and delivery of practical evaluation activity in social policy fields.
Advanced knowledge of research design approaches and the use of data in evaluating social policy. In particular, knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods, (quasi-) experimental and theory-based approaches, and knowledge of their limitations and strengths.
Excellent project and time management skills, with ability to work independently, prioritise and balance multiple workstreams and adapt to changing circumstances.
Clear and positive written and verbal communication, delivering high quality outputs.
Skilled in collaborating, managing relationships and supporting others, including managing project teams and the development of junior staff
A passion for evaluation, evidence, and learning and ability to demonstrate leadership and champion evaluation.
Working for us
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 and 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 then use as guidance on how they deliver their business goals. This would usually mean working from the office for two or three days in a typical week.
We want to attract the best people to work with us, and will consider requests for flexible working, including job share and part-time working.
Closing date for applications: 12:00 Monday 10th November 2025.
To apply for this role, please use the button provided.
Evaluation Manager employer: Office for Students
Contact Detail:
Office for Students Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Evaluation Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the higher education sector, especially those involved in evaluation. Attend events, webinars, or even casual meet-ups to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your previous evaluation projects and how they made an impact. This will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your expertise in the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your responses. Focus on articulating your experience with data analysis and project management, as these are key for the Evaluation Manager role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who take the initiative. Make sure to tailor your application to highlight your passion for evaluation and how you can contribute to the OfS's mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Evaluation Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in evaluation and social policy. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Evaluation Manager, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects you've led!
Showcase Your Skills: When detailing your experience, focus on your advanced knowledge of research design and data analysis. We’re keen to see examples of how you’ve used qualitative and quantitative methods in past evaluations, so be specific!
Communicate Clearly: Your written communication should be top-notch! We’re looking for clarity and professionalism in your application. Make sure your reports and communications are well-structured and easy to understand, as this reflects your ability to influence diverse audiences.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets into the right hands. Plus, we love seeing candidates who follow instructions carefully!
How to prepare for a job interview at Office for Students
✨Know Your Evaluation Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of evaluation methodologies, especially those relevant to social policy. Be ready to discuss your experience with both qualitative and quantitative methods, as well as any theories of change you've worked with. This will show that you're not just familiar with the concepts but can apply them effectively.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed projects in the past. Highlight your ability to juggle multiple workstreams and adapt to changing circumstances. The OfS values strong project management, so be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've engaged stakeholders in previous roles. Be prepared to share examples of how you've translated evaluation findings into actionable insights for decision-makers. This will demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and influence others, which is crucial for the role.
✨Emphasise Your Passion for Learning
The OfS is looking for someone who champions evaluation and learning. Share your enthusiasm for continuous improvement and how you've fostered a learning culture in your previous roles. Discuss any training sessions or workshops you've led, as this shows your commitment to building evaluation capability within a team.