Head of Planning and Programmes - Office for Students

Job summary

Head of Planning and Programmes

Salary: £68,720 - £72,004

Location: Bristol

Generous Civil Service defined benefit pension

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.

Job description

About the role

We’re looking for an effective leader to shape how the Office for Students (OfS) plans, delivers and improves its work. As Head of Planning and Programmes, you will lead three core areas:

• Business planning – developing a clear, prioritised and deliverable OfS business plan aligned to our strategy.

• Programme and project management – acting as custodian of our project lifecycle and ensuring projects and programmes deliver real impact: on time, on budget, and to the right quality.

• Operational improvement – advising senior leaders on change, resource allocation, and continuous improvement.

You will lead a small team of expert project and resource managers and work closely with colleagues across finance, organisational development, and the wider organisation.

Person specification

About you

You will bring:

• Proven leadership in business planning and/or programme delivery, with a track record of driving improvements rather than simply applying methodology.

• Strong relationship‑building skills, with the confidence to influence and facilitate discussions at all levels.

• Expertise in change and improvement, able to translate organisational priorities into practical, effective action.

• Resilience and insight in navigating challenging prioritisation decisions, ensuring plans are focused on delivering maximum value.

For the purposes of recruitment to the role, we are measuring the following core competencies:

Delivering at pace

• I work with my team to create structures and systems, that ensure that my directorate/team contribute efficiently and effectively to the OfS’s objectives.
• I drive a cross-functional performance culture so that everyone is enabled to contribute across directorate boundaries in an inclusive way.
• I recognise those who create an inclusive culture which allows people the space and authority to deliver their objectives, while responding quickly to changing requirements.
• I consider and understand priorities across the organisation and contribute to effective organisational planning that supports the OfS to set a clear direction and focus on delivering outcomes in a timely manner.

Developing self and others

• I encourage my team to creatively share their expertise to support teams across the OfS to succeed, e.g. via briefings, coaching, mentoring and the development of online learning.
• I recognise those who actively work to develop their teams.
• I create an inclusive environment in which all individuals can develop regardless of their needs or background.
• I champion the strategic importance of managing talent, developing people, and take appropriate action to be inclusive, making sure all groups of people can unlock their full potential.

Communicating and influencing

• I actively deploy different methods for influencing others, including making the most of digital resources to respond to different learning styles.
• I act as a role model to others by communicating with clarity, honesty, and enthusiasm to build trust.
• I am open-minded and impartial in discussion so I can adjust my arguments to respect the diverse interests and opinions of others.
• I deliver difficult messages with clarity and sensitivity.
• I can articulate arguments and reasons in a clear and persuasive manner.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £68,720, Office for Students contributes £19,908 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 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

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.

Closing date for applications: Monday 9 March at noon

Interviews: from week commencing Monday 16 March

For information: the OfS does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a 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

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.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

Job contact :

• Name : Recruitment Team
• Email : RecruitmentTeam@officeforstudents.org.uk
• Telephone : 0117 931 7444

Recruitment team

• Email : RecruitmentTeam@officeforstudents.org.uk

Further information

Careers - Office for Students

Attachments

Why work for the OfS Feb 2026 Opens in new window (pdf, 425kB)