London E14 5PU. Bristol BS34 8SR
Job Summary
About Us:
The Office for Students (OfS) is the statutory regulator for higher education in England. We are dedicated to ensuring that students from all backgrounds benefit from high-quality higher education, delivered by a diverse and sustainable sector that continues to improve. Our regulatory approach is confident and agile, designed to protect the interests of students in a challenging and dynamic environment. The OfS’s annual operating costs are c £50m and are primarily funded by registration fees paid by the higher education providers we regulate. We also receive a grant from the Department for Education. The OfS is also a major funder of the higher education sector in England. We disbursed £1,450m in recurrent grant funding and £150m in capital funding in 2024-25.
Role Overview
We are seeking an exceptional financial professional to join our senior team as the Deputy Finance Director. This new role is pivotal for providing resilience in the leadership of our finance function and drive operational efficiency. Reporting to the Director of Finance and Resources, you will play a meaningful role in ensuring the OfS can continue to support and protect the higher education sector for future generations.
Key Responsibilities:
* Collaborate with colleagues responsible for delivering the OfS’s organisational strategy to develop and implement an ambitious medium-term financial strategy that supports effective regulation in the interests of students.
* Work in partnership with regulatory leaders to design and execute plans to leverage cost recovery powers to fund the scale of regulatory activity required, including enforcement functions.
* Develop relationships with external organisations across government and the higher education sector alongside the Director of Finance and Resources.
* Create a framework to maximise efficiency in corporate services and ensure value for money in frontline regulation.
* Lead cultural change initiatives to enhance organisational efficiency and effectiveness, working with the Head of Development and Effectiveness.
* Develop a culture of organisational financial responsibility, advising the executive committee, the board, and its committees on financial risks and opportunities.
* Develop and lead your team to deliver consistently high-quality financial services and model efficient service delivery.
* Ensure robust internal control arrangements for finance and public funding, working with the Head of Finance.
* Lead engagement with the National Audit Office to meet public money management obligations.
* Act as a credible lead in financial engagements with government and develop effective relationships with the Department for Education.
* Translate strategic goals into compelling financial narratives and data for successful spending review and annual budget discussions.
Knowledge, Skills, And Experience
* Qualified accountant with significant post-qualification experience.
* Proven experience in setting and delivering effective organisational financial strategies.
* Specialist financial knowledge in areas such as regularity, propriety, value for money, financial risk, budget, and cashflow.
* Track record of managing finances in public bodies or the ability to quickly develop this expertise.
* Strong personal judgement and innovative approach to financial management.
* Exceptional leadership skills with experience in building and motivating high-performing finance teams.
* Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
* Experience ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in finance and procurement.
* Strong relationships with stakeholders, including government departments and financial partners.
* Intellectual credibility and analytical capability to think strategically and understand broader implications.
* Experience leading across professional functions and working as part of a senior team.
* Highly credible public speaking and strong writing skills.
Salary and Benefits
Alongside your salary of £96,282, Office for Students contributes £27,892 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Benefits include:
* Learning and development tailored to your role
* An environment with flexible working options
* A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
* A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Selection Process Details
Please submit your CV and a cover letter of no more than 1250 words addressing the following:
“Please describe how you would use your skills and experience to deliver an effective organisational financial strategy that maximises opportunities for efficient delivery of core regulatory activities.”
Closing date for applications: 12 noon 6 May 2025
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Nationality Requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups
* UK nationals
* nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Contact Point for Applicants
* Name: The Recruitment Team
* Email: recruitmentteam@officeforstudents.org.uk
* Telephone: 0117 931 7444
Further Information
https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/ #J-18808-Ljbffr