Senior Leadership Recruitment

Higher education has the power to transform lives. It opens doors to opportunity, drives social mobility and economic growth, and equips students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. The Office for Students strives to deliver exemplary regulation in the interests of students, the economy and society.

As Chief Executives of the OfS, we are proud to lead an organisation whose purpose is firmly focused on students. Independent regulation plays a vital role in maintaining confidence in England’s higher education sector, ensuring that students receive the high-quality education they deserve, and that providers remain accountable for delivering positive outcomes.

Delivering our strategy in the interests of students will be as much about how we regulate as what we regulate. Our strategy for 2025 to 2030 sets out an ambitious vision for the years ahead. Through risk-based regulation, we are focused on four core attitudes. We will be:

– Ambitious for all students from all backgrounds.

– Collaborative in pursuit of our priorities and in our stewardship of the sector.

– Vigilant about safeguarding public money and student fees.

– Vocal that higher education is a force for good, for individuals, communities and for the country.

Delivering these requires talented and committed people. We are looking for leaders who share our ambition for students, who can navigate complex challenges with sound judgement, and who are motivated by the opportunity to make a lasting difference through effective regulation. We value openness, collaboration, learning and diversity of thought, and we know that the strongest teams are built on a broad range of perspectives and experiences.

This is a pivotal time for higher education and for us as an organisation The sector faces significant opportunities and challenges, from maintaining the quality of the experiences students have to responding to financial pressures and changing student needs. To ensure we can put students at the centre of a thriving HE system the OfS needs to be an exemplary regulator.  We are undertaking a change programme, learning from other regulators, to ensure our structures, processes and culture are fit for purpose. An enthusiastic and committed leadership team is essential to making this work a success.

The OfS is an organisation with a clear purpose and an important mission. If you are interested in contributing to that mission, have the capability to lead in a complex and evolving environment, and are passionate about delivering for students, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Ruth Hannant and Polly Payne

Chief Executives

Office for Students