Salary: £37,614– £ 38,577
Post responsible to: Senior Regulation Manager
We are the independent regulator of higher education in England. We aim to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers.
The higher education sector in England is complex and diverse and the OfS’s approach to regulation recognises this. Our strategy signals a shift from an organisation in a start–up phase to an established regulator that understands its regulatory tools and how best to use them to shape incentives across the sector we regulate. We work to ensure that students in England enjoy higher education provision that is high quality; that their access to opportunity, success and progression is not limited by background, location or characteristics; and that providers are well and sustainably led.
We are looking for a Regulation Officer to join the Regulation directorate, initially supporting the Funding Portfolio. Regulation Officers work across a range of regulatory activities, developing breadth and depth of experience over time while contributing to the OfS's statutory functions and helping to protect the interests of students through proportionate, evidence-based regulation.
While this role is currently aligned to funding activity, this is an agile role and may contribute to different areas of regulatory work as business priorities evolve.
You will work collaboratively within and across teams and portfolios to deliver the OfS business plan, respond to urgent work requests, and support shared objectives. The role involves clear communication with internal and external stakeholders, managing complex relationships with professionalism and sound judgement. You will produce robust, evidence–based assessments and recommendations to support effective decision–making and consistent regulatory delivery.
How we do things is as important to us as what we do, and your approach will be grounded in our strategic attitudes – being ambitious, collaborative, vigilant, and vocal.
To find out more about the OfS and the type of work you may get involved in, visit Home – Office for Students
While you don't need previous experience of working in a regulator, you will bring strong transferable skills and be ready to apply them confidently in a role that helps protect students and supports confidence in the higher education sector.
Person specification (essential skills)
Understand and apply research, data, legislation, and the wider policy landscape relevant to the regulation of higher education
As part of the application process, you will be asked to answer two short questions. Your responses will be assessed against the essential criteria relating to:
Analysis and use of quantitative and qualitative evidence
Adaptability and responsiveness
Delivery through processes
Attention to detail and communication
Further details can be found in the essential skills section of the job description.
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.
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 role is based in Bristol (BS34 8SR). In line with our hybrid working approach, colleagues are typically expected to attend the office several times a week, with attendance guided by business and team needs.
To attract the widest possible field of qualified applicants, flexible working, for example job share and part time working, apply to this role.
In addition, our Total Reward Framework offers a range of benefits to suit your way of life. These include comprehensive learning and development, annual leave starting at 25 days per year (plus public holidays), access to the highly regarded Civil Service pension scheme and a variety of health benefits.
