At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage regulatory projects and ensure compliance in higher education.
- Company: Independent regulator of higher education in England, based in Bristol.
- Benefits: Generous salary, 25 days annual leave, and access to a Civil Service pension.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives through impactful regulation.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team.
The predicted salary is between 45536 - 46701 £ per year.
Salary: £45,536 – £46,701 plus generous Civil Service defined benefit pension. Fixed term contract: 18 months. Location: Bristol.
Role Overview
We are the independent regulator of higher education in England. The role involves working across the Regulation directorate on a wide range of projects, building breadth and depth of regulatory experience over time. You will support the OfS’s statutory functions and play a key part in protecting the interests of students through proportionate, evidence‑based regulation.
Responsibilities
- Manage and assess provider applications for registration, degree awarding powers, and university title.
- Monitor and investigate provider compliance with registration conditions, using regulatory intelligence to assess risk and intervene where needed.
- Deliver quality and standards assessments and contribute to policy development.
- Lead work on financial sustainability, market exit, and student protection.
- Deliver funded programmes and initiatives and improve internal systems that support provider services.
- Support complaints–handling work, including a future free speech complaints scheme.
- Collaborate within and across teams and portfolios to deliver the OfS business plan, respond to urgent work requests, and support shared objectives.
- Communicate clearly with internal and external stakeholders, managing complex relationships with professionalism and sound judgement.
- Produce robust, evidence‑based assessments and recommendations to support effective decision‑making and consistent regulatory delivery.
- Engage with providers to gather evidence, including 4–6 site visits per year (typically over two consecutive days) in some portfolios.
Person Specification (essential skills)
- Work as part of a flexible team and support the delivery of the OfS’s regulatory functions.
- Understand and interpret the OfS’s regulatory framework to undertake assessments, risk assessments, and interventions; implement and communicate aspects of the framework to support teams.
- Reach and convey reliable and robust judgments 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.
- Communicate policies and requirements clearly when working in teams that include external members.
- Produce clear written documentation to comply with the OfS’s tone of voice guidance.
Benefits
- Comprehensive learning and development.
- Annual leave starting at 25 days per year (plus public holidays).
- Access to the Civil Service pension scheme.
- Variety of health benefits.
EEO Statement
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. We seek to embed equality of opportunity in everything we do.
Regulation Managers in Bristol employer: The Office for Students
As an independent regulator of higher education in England, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture in Bristol. Our employees benefit from comprehensive learning and development opportunities, generous annual leave, and access to a robust Civil Service pension scheme, all while contributing to meaningful regulatory work that protects student interests. Join us to be part of a dynamic team where your expertise will help shape the future of higher education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Regulation Managers in Bristol
✨Dive into Industry Groups
Join compliance and risk management groups on platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook. These communities often share temp job postings and insights. You’d be surprised at how many temporary gigs float around through word of mouth!
✨Showcase Your Expertise
Consider creating content on compliance topics that get you noticed—think LinkedIn articles or even a blog. This not only shows off your knowledge but can grab the attention of companies like The Office for Students when they’re searching for someone to fill a temporary position.
✨Tap into Recruitment Agencies
Reach out to recruitment agencies that specialise in compliance and risk roles. They’re usually in touch with companies looking to fill temporary roles, which can save us a lot of time in our job search.
✨Go Local with Networking
Attend local compliance and risk seminars or workshops. Meeting professionals in our area can open up temp opportunities, and it’s a great way to make your face known in the industry—plus, you might even meet someone from The Office for Students!
We think you need these skills to ace Regulation Managers in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Compliance Know-How:When you’re applying for a compliance-risk role like Regulation Managers, make sure to highlight your understanding of industry regulations and risk management principles. Mention any relevant coursework, certifications, or projects that showcase your expertise in these areas—it's what sets you apart!
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In the compliance-risk field, strong analytical skills are essential. Talk about your experiences that required critical thinking and data analysis, whether in past roles, internships, or academic projects. Show us how you've identified risks and implemented solutions in the past.
Tailor Your CV for the Temporary Role:Since this is a temporary role, focus on your availability and flexibility in your CV. Highlight any previous short-term roles or projects that demonstrate your ability to adapt quickly and deliver results in a fast-paced environment. This helps employers see you as an easy fit in their team!
A Concise Cover Letter is Key:Keep your cover letter short and focused! Explain why you're interested in the compliance-risk area specifically for this temporary position at The Office for Students. Mention what you hope to learn and achieve, showing your enthusiasm and motivation to contribute positively during your time there.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Office for Students
✨Know Your Compliance Basics
Make sure you're clued up on the key compliance and risk regulations pertinent to the industry you're applying to. Understanding frameworks like GDPR or AML will not only impress but also show that you’re ready to hit the ground running in your temporary role at The Office for Students.
✨Prepare for Scenarios
Expect scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving skills. They might ask how you'd handle a specific compliance issue. Think through real situations you’ve encountered in past roles or study hypothetical cases to showcase your analytical skills and practical judgement during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly to new environments and team dynamics. Share examples of how you’ve successfully adjusted to changes in past roles and how this flexibility can benefit The Office for Students in the short term.
✨Gather Your Technical Tools
Familiarise yourself with commonly used compliance tools or software, as they might come up in the interview. If you've used tools for risk assessments or compliance tracking, mention those and be ready to discuss how they can streamline processes at The Office for Students.
