At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead provider engagement and manage high-profile events in higher education.
- Company: Join the Office for Students, shaping the future of higher education regulation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, health benefits, and a strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible working options available to support your work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in higher education while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Strong project management and communication skills; experience in higher education is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ 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:
- 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 at recruitmentteam@officeforstudents.org.uk and we will be happy to help.
For information: the OfS does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence.
Strategic Provider Engagement Manager 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 Strategic Provider Engagement Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the higher education sector, especially those who work with providers. Attend events, webinars, and even casual meet-ups to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your project management skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight specific projects you've managed. Use examples that demonstrate your ability to coordinate resources and deliver results on time.
✨Tip Number 3
Tailor your communication style! When engaging with stakeholders or during interviews, adapt your language to match their level of understanding. This shows you can present complex information clearly, which is key for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application, so don’t hesitate to submit it directly. Make sure to follow up if you haven’t heard back; it shows your enthusiasm and commitment to the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Provider Engagement Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your project management and communication skills. Use examples that relate directly to the role of Strategic Provider Engagement Manager, showing how you can lead and engage with providers effectively.
Showcase Your Experience:Don’t just list your previous jobs; explain how your experience in the higher education sector has prepared you for this role. Mention specific projects or initiatives you've led that demonstrate your ability to manage complex tasks and collaborate across teams.
Be Clear and Concise:Your written communication skills are key for this position, so ensure your application is clear and to the point. Avoid jargon and make your points easy to understand, especially when discussing complex policy or technical information.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Office for Students
✨Know Your Audience
Before the interview, research the OfS and its role in higher education regulation. Understand their mission, values, and recent initiatives. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your genuine interest in the organisation.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be prepared to discuss specific examples of complex projects you've managed. Highlight your ability to coordinate resources, track progress, and deliver results on time. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers effectively.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Since outstanding written communication skills are crucial for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare to explain complex information in a straightforward manner, as you might need to present ideas to diverse audiences during the interview.
✨Engagement Strategy Insights
Think about how you would develop and implement a provider engagement strategy. Be ready to share your ideas on proactive engagement opportunities, such as policy roundtables or regional meetings, and how these could benefit the OfS and its stakeholders.
