Regulation Manager

Salary: £54,439 – £56,968 plus generous Civil Service pension (defined benefit scheme)

Location: Bristol (Hybrid)

Contract: Permanent

At the Office for Students (OfS), we’re proud to be the independent regulator of higher education in England. Our mission? To ensure every student – whatever their background – has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their life and career.

We’re currently recruiting to several exciting permanent roles within our Regulation directorate – the heart of our regulatory work. Whether you’re an experienced regulator or looking for a fresh challenge in public service, this could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.

This is a particularly exciting time to come on board. Our ambitious new strategy focuses on improving quality and standards and advancing equality of opportunity across the higher education sector. You’ll be part of a dedicated and expert team, helping to deliver meaningful change that truly benefits students.

From influencing provider performance to managing complex regulatory assessments, your work will directly shape the future of higher education. You’ll also enjoy a supportive, flexible working culture, and a wealth of opportunities for professional development.

About the role

Our Regulation directorate designs and implements the OfS’s regulatory framework, overseeing how higher education providers enter and remain in the sector. You will work across the R egulation directorate on several projects, gaining a whole breadth of experience over time . As a Regulation Manager, you may:

Manage provider applications for registration, degree awarding powers, and university title

Monitor and investigate provider compliance with registration conditions, using regulatory intelligence and intervening where necessary in the interest of students

Conduct quality and standards assessments and contribute to related policy reforms

Lead work on financial sustainability, market exit, and student protection

Deliver funded programmes and initiatives

Improve internal systems that support provider services

What we’re looking for

You don’t need to have worked in regulation before – full training and support will be provided. What matters most is your ability to think critically, communicate clearly, and collaborate effectively.

We’re especially keen to hear from candidates with the ability to:

L ead and manage a flexible team of staff, their wellbeing, performance and development needs

U nderstand 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

R each 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

W ork with high levels of complexity and ambiguity

T hink broadly about the theory and practice of regulation

A dopt a systems approach to service design and deliver

W ork collaboratively and flexibly to deliver the team’s functions

U ndertake professional line management and activity management in a complex environment through a matrix structure

E ffectively communicate the OfS’s policies and requirements clearly when working in teams and teams that include external members

P roduce clear written documentation to comply with the OfS’s tone of voice guidance

We know how important it is to feel supported and valued at work. That’s why we offer a comprehensive reward package, including:

25 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays)

A generous defined benefit Civil Service pension (employer contribution currently 28.9%)

Flexible and hybrid working – usually 2–3 days in the office per week

A range of health and wellbeing initiatives, including mental health support

Tailored learning and development – with the opportunity to build a long, rewarding career

We’re a diverse, welcoming and values-driven organisation. Our team is passionate about what we do, and we work in a supportive, open environment where every voice matters.

In our most recent staff survey, 91% of colleagues said their manager is considerate of their life outside work. Whether it’s flexible working, job shares or part-time arrangements, we’re happy to explore what works best for you.

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, sexual orientation and socio-economic background.

If this sounds like your kind of role, we’d love to hear from you. During the recruitment process, we’ll ask you to demonstrate your understanding of regulatory work and your ability to:

Reach reliable judgements based on evidence

Manage projects and improve systems

Collaborate with resilience and purpose

We’re also particularly interested in candidates who want to work on provider registration and investigations or enforcement activity, including site visits, stakeholder engagement, and evidence analysis.

At the Office for Students, you’ll find more than just a job – you’ll find a purpose. Come and be part of something important.

To attract the widest possible field of qualified applicants, flexible working, for example job share and part time working, apply to this role.

When applying for the role, you will be asked for a 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.

Learn more about our work in Regulation h ere

There is no closing date for application. In the event of high volume response, we may close the role without notice. You are therefore recommended to make an early application.

The Office for Students is a non-departmental public body of the Department for Education, acting as the regulator and competition authority for the higher education sector in England.

Notice

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