Leadership Development Officer

Location:Bristol

Salary:

Year 1:32946

Year 2:37614 (subject to meetingassessment criteria at the end ofyear 1)

Plusgenerous Civil Service defined benefit pension

The challenge

Do you want toshape the future of higher education

The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of higher education in regulate more than 400 higher education institutions teaching 2.4 million students.

TheOfSsits at the heart ofone of the UKs mostdynamicand and collegesdrivegrowth widenopportunity and enrich local mission istoensurestudents from all backgrounds benefit from high quality higher education.

If youwanttobuild a career in regulationorpublic policy and are passionate aboutthe impact education can haveourLeadershipDevelopment Scheme isa greatplace to start. Over two years and three placements youwillshape the work of anambitious regulatorat a critical time for the higher education sectorbenefitingstudentsacross the country.

We areseekingdriven creativefutureleaders who want to make a usin 2026and launch yourcareerwith the Office for Students.

The role

TheLeadership Development SchemerunsfromSeptember two years youwill gain experience across a range of teams and functionsdevelopingyour skillsgaininginsight into the work ofa regulator and buildinga solid foundation for yourfuturecareer.

In yourfirstyearyou will complete two six-month placementsinvariedroles across the recent yearsLeadership Development OfficershavehelpeddeveloptheOfSsstrategyfacilitatedthe delivery of organisation-wide projectsandensured student views inform our work including via theOfSStudent Interest Board.

Inyour second year you will workinacore regulation team. You willdealdirectlywith individualuniversities or colleges delivercaseworkand supportthe development ofregulatorypolicy.

By the end of two yearsyou will be equippedto apply to afulltimeregulatory rolein theOfSor Leadership Development Officers who apply to permanent rolesreceivea job offer.

Throughoutyour placements you will be working collaboratively to support colleaguesat all levels. The role is dynamic demandingand varied and you will often work onseveral different projects atonce. We will encourage you tofocus on developing your skillsand will assign a mentor to help you with this.

About you person specification

This is an entry level role so no prior experience is are looking for people whocan:

• See the big picture Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider context of the organisations work enabling better decision-making.

• Makeeffective decisions Make well-reasoned impartial decisions that stand up to scrutiny. Evaluate the impact and implications of decisions ensuring that plans take these into account.

• Communicateand influenceCommunicate verballyandin writing with clarity conviction andenthusiasm. Respect the needs responsesand opinions of others andanticipateconcerns.

• Collaborateand partnerwith others Work effectively as part of a team. Build inclusive responsive relationships with colleagues across the organisation to deliver collective goals.

• Changeand improve Adapt and innovate in response to challenges. Act decisively in the face of ambiguity or uncertainty.

• Develop self and others Focus on professional development and develop knowledge and skills by reflecting on and learning from success and failure.

Further details about the Leadership Development Scheme and the assessment process are available onour website.

Application process

Pleasesubmityour online application form bymiddayonMonday9March 2026.

We will assess candidates over threeprogressive rounds.

• Round 1 -application formand questions

• Round 2 -written task

• Round3-interview.

Weanticipatethat interviewswilltake placeon20 21 22and23 April 2026.These will be heldin personat our Bristol office.

We will aim to make offers of employment in late April.

Newly appointed Leadership Development Officers will be expected to start at theOfSon14September2026.

To find out more about the Leadership Development Scheme you can join one of our information sessions which are running on the following dates:

19 February 2026 12-1 pmInformation Webinar 1 of 2

27 February 2026 3-4 pmInformation Webinar 2 of 2

If you have any queries about the role the applicationprocessor the information sessions please send an email to Josh Freeman at.

Reasonable adjustment

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. If you require any reasonable adjustments tosupportyou through the application stage please contact us atand we will be happy to help.

Working for us

TheOfSregulates the higher education sector on behalf of all students. We value diversity and the wealth of perspectivesexperienceand 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 beliefsexorsexual orientation.

This role is based in is important to theOfS 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 will be in the officein Bristoltwo or three days a week.

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