Chief Finance and Operating Officer Office for Students

Office for Students

On-Site

Expires: Expiring in less than 3 weeks

Full time

£142,000 - £156,000 per year

Job summary

Office for Students

Chief Finance and Operating Officer

Salary: £142,000 - £156,000 plus Civil Service pension

Location: Bristol or London

Closing Date: noon on Fri 30 October 2026

The OfS is the regulator for higher education in England. We strive to deliver exemplary regulation in the interests of students. Our work is wide ranging – we set regulatory standards and use our regulatory tools to support a diverse and independent higher education sector.

Against this backdrop, the OfS is seeking an exceptional Chief Finance and Operating Officer to join our Executive Committee and help shape the organisation's future. Reporting directly to the Chief Executives, the CFOO will provide strategic input across the OfS (an organisation of c.580 people), with responsibility for the successful leadership of a diverse and multi-disciplinary corporate services team of c.140 people, which includes finance, people, technology and estates. The CFOO will also be responsible for the stewardship of more than £1 billion of public funds. Working closely with the Board, government departments and sector stakeholders, the successful candidate will ensure the OfS has the capabilities, systems and operating model required to deliver its regulatory objectives effectively and efficiently.

Job description

We are looking for a strategic, collaborative and highly credible leader with a recognised financial qualification and/or substantial experience leading a finance function. You will bring a track record of building and leading high-performing teams, delivering complex change programmes and providing clear, confident advice on financial and organisational matters. An outstanding communicator and relationship builder, you will be comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders across government, the higher education sector and the wider public sphere. You will combine strong operational leadership with the ability to see the bigger picture, balancing immediate priorities with long-term organisational objectives. Experience operating at a senior level within the public sector, civil service, regulatory environment or a similarly complex organisation will be highly valued, as will expertise across a range of corporate enabling functions. How we do things is as important to us as what we do and your approach will be underpinned by our attitudes: Ambitious, Collaborative, Vigilant and Vocal.

Person specification

This role provides something few others can: the opportunity to make a tangible difference to the long-term future of the higher education sector across England. For a confidential discussion about this role and your suitability, and to apply, please contact our recruitment partner, GatenbySanderson, via the link below.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £142,000, Office for Students contributes £41,137 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

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%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

LINK: https://ofsleaders.officeforstudents.org.uk/

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

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) (opens in a new window)
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for 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

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

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Salary range

£142,000 - £156,000 per year