Office for Students

Do you want to shape the future of higher education? Do you want to build a career in regulation or public policy? Do you believe that students from all backgrounds should benefit from high quality higher education? If so, the Office for Students (OfS) could be the place for you. The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. We regulate more than 400 higher education institutions collectively teaching 2.4 million students. We work to foster a diverse, sustainable sector that meets students' needs. We are seeking driven, creative, future leaders to join our Leadership Development Scheme. Over two years and three placements, you will take on complex projects in a fast-paced environment, developing a broad range of skills while shaping work that benefits students across the country. The Leadership Development Scheme - a two-year career accelerator Over three dynamic placements across the organisation , you will: Take on challenging, high impact projects that help deliver higher education policy. Gain in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in regulation, strategy, and policy-making. Develop the leadership skills and technical capabilities to make a difference in the lives of thousands of students. Why choose the OfS Purpose-driven work: Our mission is to ensure that students from all backgrounds can benefit from high quality higher education. You will be contributing to important work, from day to day regulatory activity to shaping new initiatives, which makes a meaningful difference for students. Professional development: We place real emphasis on professional development and continuous learning. Through varied, impactful work, you will build the skills and experience to become a leader at the OfS and beyond. Supportive environment: You will participate in a rich training programme, receive personalised support from a dedicated mentor, and have access to a range of development opportunities. Career progression: By the end of two years, you will be well placed to apply to a full time regulatory role. Most Leadership Development Officers who apply to permanent roles receive a job offer. Who we are looking for We're looking for hard working, creative thinkers with a commitment to ensuring students from all backgrounds benefit from excellent higher education. You will appreciate how your work fits into our organisational priorities, and have the aptitude for analysis, problem-solving and detail that enables you to make well-reasoned decisions. And as a natural communicator both in writing and in person, you will enjoy the challenge of collaborating with people at all levels and balancing different perspectives in everything you do. Applications are now open This is an opportunity to help shape the future of higher education - and your career. Applications close at midday on Monday 9 March. Salary & Benefits: Year 1: £32,946 Year 2 : £37,614 (subject to meeting assessment criteria at the end of year 1) Plus generous Civil Service defined benefit pension. To find out more about the Leadership Development Scheme, you can join one of our information sessions. We are running live online sessions at 12-1pm on 19 February and 3-4pm on 27 February. You can sign up to attend these here: Date Registration link 19 February 2026, 12-1 pm Information Webinar 1 of 2 27 February 2026, 3-4 pm Information Webinar 2 of 2 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 or sexual orientation. Flexibility is important to the OfS, as we recognise that this can enable people to work more effectively. To attract the widest possible field of qualified applicants we have a flexible and hybrid working approach which applies to this role. In practice, this typically means working an average of two to three days in the office each week. This is more than a job - it's your chance to drive positive change in a sector that impacts millions of futures. Join the Office for Students.

About us 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. We're proud of our people, our culture and the benefits we offer. We care about supporting and developing our staff. At the OfS we want to create a welcoming and engaging working environment which is free from discrimination. We're looking for skilled, committed people who care about students and their experience of higher education. Join us and you'll be part of an energetic, forward-looking organisation with high ambitions and big opportunities for our people. About the role We're seeking an Internal Communications Manager to embed our new strategic attitudes in the day-to-day working of the Office for Students, and to help us to connect our staff with the students we serve, as well as managing a busy internal cycle of news and events and digital content and ensuring our internal communications channels remain relevant and engaging. Be part of an organisation which serves students and help our colleagues to regulate more effectively through effective and engaging internal communications. This is an opportunity to join a passionate and committed workforce and drive positive change for students in England. About you You'll have proven experience of working in internal communications and energy and passion for the role, be able to work collaboratively with others and manage different priorities at pace. You'll be able to tailor information for internal audiences, have excellent writing and influencing skills, and be able to communicate complex issues with sensitivity and accessibility. Experience of working in internal communications in a public sector body, or for an organisation where staff split across more than one site, is desirable but not essential. 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 or 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 would usually mean working from the office for two or three days in a typical week. 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. Closing date for applications: Wednesday 4 March at noon