Regulation Manager

Opportunities are for both permanent and fixed term to cover maternity leave  

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 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. 

Why join us? 

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 Regulation 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: 

• Lead and manage a flexible team of staff, their wellbeing, performance and development needs 
• Understand 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 
• Reach 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 
• 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 deliver 
• Work collaboratively and flexibly to deliver the team’s functions 
• Undertake professional line management and activity management in a complex environment through a matrix structure 
• Effectively communicate the OfS’s policies and requirements clearly when working in teams and teams that include external members 
• Produce clear written documentation to comply with the OfS’s tone of voice guidance  

It is desirable that candidates have the following skills and experience:

• Investigation and enforcement experience – experience of carrying out regulatory, competition or similar investigations and enforcement activity
• Analytical skills – experience of analysing strategies and detailed information to reach evidence-based judgements
• Communications – experience of explaining accurately and conveying robust evidence-based decisions convincingly both in writing and verbally
• Stakeholder management – experience of managing complex and challenging stakeholder relationships
• Problem solving – skills and experience of considering ways in which regulatory concerns, risks and non-compliance can be resolved including through the design of regulatory interventions
• Policy and practice – experience of developing a policy area and translating policy changes into practice
• Project management – skills and experience from managing complex projects and multi-disciplinary teams

When appointed to this post, the postholder will be given an initial activity assignment and will work in one or more home team within a directorate. This is where they will undertake all or most of their work in the first instance. However, the organisation is committed to working flexibly and moving people to work in different teams and on different assignments, in order to: develop an individual’s skills and experience, improve communications across teams, and to ensure that as the OfS’s priorities change, resources are allocated appropriately. 

Movement to different assignments will take account of an individual’s competencies, knowledge and preferences; the needs of the organisation, and the need for some team stability.

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 and sexual orientation.

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 
• Communicate effectively 
• 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. Please also let us know in your covering letter if you are willing to be considered for both permanent and fixed term roles.