Head of Skills - Influence the way higher education across England delivers the skills needed by employers and the public sector. 

Bristol

£70,042 - £72,274

The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of higher education in England, whose aim is to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. It does so by regulating the higher education providers on its register to make sure they are delivering positive outcomes for their students and value for money; where they are not, it takes action.

The Head of Skills will lead the development and delivery of the OfS’s skills strategy, to support higher education’s delivery of the skills needed locally and nationally by business and public services. The postholder will be a strategic and creative influence within the directorate, managing a high-quality and motivated team to deliver a range of skills initiatives. The postholder will also work across the OfS to embed elements of the skills strategy into wider OfS regulatory, funding and other activities. The role involves working with government departments and agencies and engaging with the higher education sector and employer bodies, to influence policy and practice.

Candidates will bring expert knowledge of policy and practice related to higher education’s delivery of the skills needed by business and public services, along with significant experience of policy development and delivery. They will be able to develop strategy and lead initiatives with creativity and originality, within a complex and changing environment. Candidates will be strong leaders and collaborators with the ability to manage teams within a flexible structure and oversee delivery of high-quality outcomes across a diverse portfolio of activities. Strategically minded and personally resilient, candidates will be adept at communicating effectively and building strong relationships inside and outside the organisation.

During the current COVID-19 situation, to reflect government advice, interviews will be held via video link. If you are shortlisted, we will work with you to ensure you are given the opportunity to attend interview in the most appropriate way.

The OfS embraces and promotes equality, diversity and inclusion. We strive to reflect this in our workforce so that we represent the diversity of those whose interests we promote. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition.

The OfS embraces and promotes equality, diversity and inclusion. We strive to reflect this in our workforce so that we represent the diversity of those whose interests we promote. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition.

We welcome flexible working, and as an organisation which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we are firmly committed to providing learning and development opportunities for all employees.