At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead provider engagement and manage high-profile events in higher education.
- Company: Join the OfS, a key regulator in the higher education sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, health benefits, and a strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible working options available to support work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on higher education while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Strong project management and communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We are seeking a Provider Relations Manager to lead and drive forward our communications and engagement with providers we regulate. You will lead the OfS’s programme of provider engagement – managing our hugely important visits programme as well as delivering high-profile events and webinars aimed directly at senior leaders in universities and colleges – and oversee our annual stakeholder survey, which will form how we communicate with our diverse range of regulated providers.
You will help develop processes to gather intelligence on the sector, programme strategic engagement activity direct to providers, and ensure that the insights gathered from providers are acted on and shared effectively across the organisation.
Sitting within the Strategy, Delivery and Communications (SDC) Directorate, the communications team drives the OfS’s external and internal communications, including public affairs, media relations, digital publishing, stakeholder engagement, events and public information. Communications is essential for the organisation to drive progress towards our strategic goals.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone with strong project management and communications skills who wants to work at the heart of higher education regulation.
What you’ll do
- Lead the OfS’s provider visits programme, ensuring visits run smoothly and to a high standard, including managing briefings, matching visitors and shaping future phases of the programme.
- Develop and oversee the chair and chief executive visit programme, acting as liaison with board and committee members.
- Manage how feedback from provider visits is used internally, shared back with providers and used to improve ways of working.
- Lead the operational delivery of the OfS’s annual stakeholder survey, analyse findings and develop strategic improvements to provider engagement.
- Lead programming for OfS accountable officer and chair events, including quarterly webinars, new accountable officer and chair induction events and mailings, which involved developing content, agendas, speeches and briefing notes.
- Develop and implement a provider engagement strategy, identifying key audiences and creating proactive engagement opportunities such as policy roundtables and regional meetings.
- Write briefing papers and discussion points for the chair and members of the OfS’s Provider Panel.
- Advise on and implement provider engagement activity for strategic communications plans and launches.
- Activity manage the Stakeholder Engagement Officer, Events and Communications Co-ordinator, and Administrative Resource Unit colleagues who support visit delivery.
What you’ll need
- Demonstrable project management skills, including the ability to plan, manage and deliver complex projects to time, coordinating resources and tracking progress.
- A track record of successfully working across teams and organisational levels, collaborating with a wide range of colleagues and stakeholders to achieve shared goals.
- Outstanding written communication skills, including the ability to present complex policy and technical information in a clear, accessible way tailored to specific audiences – from briefings and speeches to event content.
- Excellent organisational skills, strong attention to detail and the ability to work proactively and autonomously without close supervision.
- The ability to make sound judgements and give strategic advice.
- Experience of working in or with the higher education sector.
Our Total Reward Framework offers a range of benefits to suit your way of life. These include:
- Comprehensive learning and development – we’re invested in your future.
- Annual leave starting at 25 days per year, plus public holidays.
- Access to the highly regarded Civil Service defined benefit pension scheme.
- A variety of health-related benefits.
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 and sexual orientation.
Work 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 days in a typical week.
To attract the widest possible field of qualified applicants, flexible working – for example job share and part-time working – is available.
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 and we will be happy to help.
Provider Relations Manager in London employer: Office for Students
The Office for Students (OfS) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at the heart of higher education regulation. With a strong commitment to employee development, flexible working arrangements, and a diverse and inclusive culture, we empower our staff to thrive while making a meaningful impact on the sector. Our comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave and a defined benefit pension scheme, ensures that our employees are well-supported in both their professional and personal lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Provider Relations Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees in the higher education sector, especially those who have worked with provider relations. A friendly chat can give us insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the OfS and its recent initiatives. We want to show that we’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about the mission of the organisation. Tailor your responses to reflect this enthusiasm!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. This will help us articulate our project management skills and communication strategies clearly, which are key for the Provider Relations Manager role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email reiterating our interest in the position can leave a lasting impression. Plus, it shows we’re proactive and engaged, which is exactly what they’re looking for.
We think you need these skills to ace Provider Relations Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Provider Relations Manager. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since outstanding written communication is key for this role, take the time to craft clear and concise responses. Whether it's your cover letter or CV, make sure it reflects your ability to present complex information in an accessible way.
Highlight Project Management Experience:We want to see your project management prowess! Include specific examples of projects you've managed, detailing how you coordinated resources and tracked progress. This will demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Office for Students
✨Know Your Audience
Before the interview, research the organisation and its key stakeholders. Understand their mission, values, and recent initiatives in higher education regulation. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare specific examples of past projects where you successfully managed complex tasks. Highlight your ability to coordinate resources, track progress, and deliver results on time. This is crucial for a Provider Relations Manager, so be ready to discuss your approach in detail.
✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively
Practice articulating complex information in a straightforward manner. Since the role involves writing briefings and developing content for various audiences, showcasing your outstanding written communication skills during the interview is essential.
✨Engagement Strategy Insights
Be prepared to discuss how you would develop and implement a provider engagement strategy. Think about proactive engagement opportunities you could create, such as policy roundtables or regional meetings, and share your ideas during the interview.
