Appointment details

Chief Executive, Office for Students

Summary

• Organisation: Office for Students
• Sponsor department: Department for Education
• Location: South West
• Sectors: Education
• Skills: Change Management, Communication, Regulation, Transformation, Education
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 37 hour(s) per week
• Remuneration: £145,000 per annum
• Length of term: 4 years
• Application deadline: 4pm on 12 January 2026

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   11 December 2025

2. Application deadline

   4pm on 12 January 2026

3. Sifting date

   16 January 2026

4. Interviews expected to end on

   13 February 2026

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction from the Minister

Thank you for your interest in becoming Chief Executive of the Office for Students (OfS).

England’s higher education sector is one of the most dynamic and diverse in the world. Our universities and colleges serve communities across the country, each with distinct missions, values, and strengths, from world-leading research institutions to specialist providers and further education colleges that open doors to opportunity for many. They provide a driving force for economic growth and are a central part of our plans to put education front and centre of national life. This rich tapestry reflects the diversity of our nation, and it is vital that the leadership of the sector does too.

The government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and ensuring that every student, regardless of background, can access high-quality education and graduate with the skills to thrive. The Office for Students plays a central role in delivering this vision, regulating the sector to ensure financial stability, quality, and outcomes that truly benefit students and society.

These are pivotal times for higher education in England. The government’s Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, published earlier this year, sets out a bold vision for a reformed system that is more specialised, financially sustainable, aligned with the needs of our economy, and widens access to higher education for the most disadvantaged in society. This ambition is reflected in the Prime Minister’s new national target for two-thirds of young people to be engaged in higher-level learning by the age of 25. The OfS will be central to delivering this vision as it enters a new phase of development shaped by the recommendations of the “Fit for the Future” review.

We are seeking a Chief Executive who can lead the OfS through the next phase of its work, confident in navigating regulation in a large, complex, internationally important and high profile sector. We are looking for someone who is deeply committed to ensuring the regulator delivers on its core priorities - maintaining high standards of quality, regulating in the interests of students, protecting public investment, and ensuring the financial sustainability of providers. You will be expected to support the sector in meeting the ambitions of the White Paper, including the shift towards a system that better meets the skills needs of the economy, underpinned by a confident, agile regulator that drives continuous improvement, tackles low-quality provision and abuses of public money.

This is a leadership role of national significance. It demands strategic vision, operational rigour, and a deep commitment to the transformative power of education.

Thank you once again for considering this opportunity. If you believe in the power of education to transform lives and want to contribute your unique skills and experience to this vital work, we look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Bridget Phillipson

Secretary of State for Education

Appointment description

The Chief Executive of the OfS is a full time executive role at the forefront of the Government’s higher education agenda. The Chief Executive will lead the OfS in acting as the independent regulator for higher education in England, championing the interests of students.

The Chief Executive will lead on the implementation of the new OfS strategy.The strategy sets out four attitudes to guide the OfS’s approach to risk-based regulation and drive the delivery of its objectives:

• Ambitious for students from all backgrounds.

• Collaborative in pursuit of our priorities and in our stewardship of the sector.

• Vigilant about safeguarding public money and student fees.

• Vocal that higher education is a force for good, for individuals, communities and the country.

The OfS will focus on three areas of priority: quality, student experience and support, and sector resilience. This includes making sure students receive a high-quality education and get the experiences they have been promised.

Accountable to the Chair of the OfS Board, Professor Edward Peck, the Chief Executive will be responsible for the overall leadership, management, and resourcing of the OfS, an organisation of approximately 500 people, building capacity and capability to ensure the OfS’s effective performance as the regulator of higher education in England.

The Chief Executive will coordinate and implement actions determined by the OfS board. They will need to work closely with government and sector bodies, as well as with stakeholders across the higher education sector. The Chief Executive is responsible for ensuring the OfS aspects of the higher education system are delivered successfully.

RESPONSIBILITIES

As the Chief Executive of the Office for Students, you will be responsible for delivering its statutory regulatory duties, as well as the following:

• Providing overall leadership and management of the OfS as the independent regulator of higher education in England, delivering the new strategy and its vision for how the OfS will achieve its aims in championing the interests of students.
• Overseeing the effectiveness and performance of the OfS and ensuring it is discharging its statutory duties in line with ministerial priorities, government policy and actions, and direction determined by the OfS Board. This includes ensuring that the OfS operates efficiently through improved ways of working.
• Working closely with Ministers and government officials to take the OfS through its next phase of critical work, including in relation to driving up quality, increasing opportunity and reducing bureaucracy.
• Representing the OfS to Parliament, students, stakeholders across the higher education sector and the media, championing its work.
• Ensuring robust financial management is in place, being accountable to the OfS board and Parliament for all funding allocated to and by the OfS as the Accounting Officer.

Organisation description

ABOUT THE OFFICE FOR STUDENTS

The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. Its primary aim is to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. It regulates in the interests of students and prospective students from all backgrounds, whether they are:

• undergraduates, postgraduates, or studying other levels of higher education,
• UK-based or international;
• studying full-time or part-time; or
• based on campus, learning at a distance or in work-based settings, or anything in between.

Created by the Higher Education and Research Act 2017 (HERA), which sets out its powers and duties, the OfS regulates through a voluntary register of higher education providers. Over 420 providers are registered with the regulator, and they teach or supervise over 2.5 million students.

Through its regulatory framework, the OfS promotes high quality education to ensure that all students, regardless of background, achieve high quality outcomes that will meet the skills needs of the economy.

The OfS is funded primarily through registration fees paid by the higher education sector. The OfS also distributes the Strategic Priorities Grant funding annually; this supports teaching and students in higher education.

As an independent public body, the OfS reports to Parliament through the Department for Education.

Further information about the OfS can be found on its website here and details of the current board here.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Ability to provide operational, cultural and strategic senior leadership to a complex organisation. This should include demonstrable success in ensuring an organisation is progressing and performing effectively in relation to its objectives, and a track record of identifying and implementing efficiencies to embed a culture of continuous improvement.
• Proven system, as well as organisational, leadership skills, with evidence that gives confidence in the candidate’s ability to play a key role in the leadership of the English higher education sector.
• A track record of managing corporate change and setting strategic direction in the context of organisational transformation.
• An outstanding communicator with the ability to influence, command the respect of and build effective relationships with stakeholders across the public, private or voluntary sectors.
• Commitment to the principles of social mobility, and to delivering high quality and standards in English higher education.
• Expertise in, or a demonstrable strong commitment to, higher education.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of regulatory activity, and an understanding of the strengths and limitations of regulators, and the implication of these matters for the higher education sector.

Application and selection process

How to apply

In order to apply you will need to create an account or sign in.

Once you are logged into your account, click on 'apply for this role' and follow the on-screen instructions To apply, all candidates are required to provide:

• equality information
• information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues
• a Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• a supporting statement

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate.

You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.

Overview of the application process

We will deal with your application as quickly as possible and will keep you informed at key stages.

The assessment process

1. Ministers are responsible and accountable to Parliament for the public appointments made within their department. As a result, they must be consulted at every stage of the appointments process.

2. An Advisory Assessment Panel (“Panel”) is appointed by Ministers to assist them in their decision making. The role of the Panel is to decide, objectively, which candidates meet the eligibility criteria for the role.

3. At the shortlisting meeting the Panel will assess applications against the eligibility criteria and decide which candidates have best met the criteria, who should be recommended for interview. Ministers will then be consulted on the Panel’s recommended shortlist. If you have applied under the Disability Confident Scheme and you meet all the essential criteria, then you will also be invited for an interview.

4. Once the shortlist has been agreed by Ministers, you will be advised (by e-mail) whether you have been shortlisted. Those successfully shortlisted will be invited to an engagement panel ahead of interview.

5. The Panel will meet again to interview candidates and determine who is appointable to the role. The Panel may invite you to make a brief presentation at the start of the interview and will go on to question you about your skills and experience, including asking specific questions to assess whether you meet the criteria set out for the post. The Panel will also explore with you any potential conflicts of interest or any other issues arising from your personal and professional history which may impact on an appointment decision.

6. Details of the panel’s assessment of interviewed candidates are provided to Ministers, including whether they have judged a candidate to be appointable to the role. It is then for Ministers to determine merit and decide who should be appointed. In some circumstances, Ministers may choose not to appoint any candidates and re-run the competition.

7. Ministers may choose to meet with candidates before deciding the outcome. Candidates should therefore be prepared for a short time gap between interview and a final appointment decision being made. Candidates who have been interviewed will be kept informed of progress.

8. Once the decision on the appointment has been made, interviewed candidates will be advised of the outcome of their application, including whom they may approach for feedback. Successful candidates will be issued with their Terms & Conditions and a letter of appointment should they agree to take up the position.

Further information about appointments, including tips on applying, can be found on our guidance pages on gov.uk.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

Julia Kinniburgh - Director General of Skills Group - departmental official and panel Chair

Edward Peck - OfS Chair of the board - representative of the board.

Jane McCall - OfS non-executive director - other panel member.

Naomi Ramsey - Director of Human Resources and Transformation, Department for Education - other panel member.

None of the panellists have declared any political activity.

Advisory Assessment Panels (AAP) are chosen by ministers to assist them in their decision-making. These include a departmental official and a representative from the public body concerned. 

AAP’s perform a number of functions, including agreeing an assessment strategy with ministers, undertaking sifting, carrying out interviews in line with the advertised criteria and deciding objectively who meets the published selection criteria for the role before recommending to ministers which candidates they find appointable. It is then for the minister to decide who to appoint to the role.

Eligibility criteria

In general, you should have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to apply for a public appointment.

There are a small number of specialist roles that are not open to non-British citizens. Any nationality requirements will be specified in the vacancy details.

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. 

You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:

• you are disqualified from acting as a company director  (under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986);

• have an unspent conviction on your criminal record;

• your estate has been sequestrated in Scotland or you enter into a debt arrangement programme under Part 1 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17) as the debtor or have, under Scots law, granted a trust deed for creditors.

When you apply, you should declare if:

• you are, or have been, bankrupt or you have made an arrangement with a creditor at any point, including the dates of this. 

• you are subject to a current police investigation.

You must inform the sponsor department if, during the application process, your circumstances change in respect of any of the above points. 

When you apply you should also declare any relevant interests, highlighting any that you think may call into question your ability to properly discharge the responsibilities of the role you are applying for. You should also declare any other matters which may mean you may not be able to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Board Members (see Outside interests and reputational issues section below)

If you need further advice, please contact OfficeforStudents.APPLICATIONS@education.gov.uk

Security clearance

The successful candidate may be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks in line with the Civil Service guidelines. Additional Security Clearance may also be required for certain roles. However, where this applies, candidates will be notified during the appointment process. Further information on National Security Vetting can be found on the Gov.uk website here.

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve.

We collect data about applicants’ characteristics and backgrounds, including information about people’s educational and professional backgrounds, so that we can make sure we are attracting a broad range of people to these roles and that our selection processes are fair for everyone. Without this information, it makes it difficult to see if our outreach is working, if the application process is having an unfair impact on certain groups and whether changes are making a positive difference.

When you submit your application, your responses are collected by the Cabinet Office and the government department(s) managing your application. The data is used to produce management information about the diversity of applicants. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be seen by the Advisory Assessment Panel who review applications against the advertised criteria and conduct interviews.

Disability confident

We are a member of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. We use the Disability Confident scheme symbol, along with other like-minded employers, to show our commitment to good practice in employing people with a disability. The scheme helps recruit and retain disabled people. As part of implementing the scheme, we guarantee an interview for anyone with a disability whose application meets the essential criteria for the role, set out in the advert, and who has asked that their application is considered under the scheme. Indicating that you wish your application to be considered under the scheme will in no way prejudice your application. By ‘essential criteria', we mean that you must provide evidence which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required under each of the essential criteria, as set out in the job-advert. When you apply you will have the opportunity to select if you would like your application considered under this scheme.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to make sure applicants with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, or other needs are not substantially disadvantaged when applying for public appointments. This can include changing the recruitment process to enable people who wish to apply to do so.

Some examples of common changes are:

• ensuring that application forms are available in different or accessible formats;
• making adaptations to interview locations;
• giving additional detailed information on the selection / interview process in advance to allow candidates time to prepare themselves;
• allowing support workers, for example sign language interpreters;
• making provision for support animals to attend.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the application process.

Principles of public life

The Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles) apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder.

1. Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

2. Integrity

Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

3. Objectivity

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

4. Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

5. Openness

Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

6. Honesty

Holders of public office should be truthful.

7. Leadership

Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

Code of conduct for board members

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. In support of this, all non-executive board members of UK public bodies must abide by the principles set out in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code sets out the standards expected from those who serve on the boards of UK public bodies and will form part of your terms and conditions of appointment.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/code-of-conduct-for-board-members-of-public-bodies

Management of outside interests and consideration of reputational issues

Holders of public office are expected to adhere and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. Before you apply you should consider carefully: 

• any outside interests that you may have, such as shares you may hold in a company providing services to government; 
• any possible reputational issues arising from your past actions or public statements that you have made; 
• and/or - any political roles you hold or political campaigns you have supported; 

which may call into question your ability to do the role you are applying for.

You will need to answer relevant questions in relation to these points when making an application. Many conflicts of interest can be satisfactorily resolved and declaring a potential conflict does not prevent you from being interviewed. If you are shortlisted for an interview, the panel will discuss any potential conflicts with you during that interview, including any proposals you may have to mitigate them and record that in their advice to ministers. Alongside your own declaration, we will conduct appropriate checks, as part of which we will consider anything in the public domain related to your conduct or professional capacity. This may include searches of previous public statements and social media, blogs or any other publicly available information. The successful candidate(s) may be required to give up any conflicting interests and their other business and financial interests may be published in line with organisational policies. 

Details of declared political activity will be published when the appointment is announced (political activity is not a bar to appointment, but must be declared).

Appointment and tenure of office

Appointments are for the term set out in this advert, with the possibility of re-appointment for a further term, at the discretion of Ministers.  Any re-appointment is subject to satisfactory annual appraisals of performance during the first term in the post. There is no automatic presumption of reappointment; each case should be considered on its own merits. In most cases, the total time served in post will not exceed more than two terms or ten years in any one post. 

Remuneration, allowances and abatement

Remuneration for this role is treated as employment income and will be subject to tax and National Insurance contributions, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid. 

You can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs which are properly and necessarily incurred on official business, in line with the travel and subsistence policy and rates for the organisation to which you are applying. However these payments are taxable as earnings and will be subject to tax and national insurance, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid. 

Pension and redundancy

The Chief Executive of the OfS will be eligible to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme. Key benefits include:

• A defined benefit pension that is inflation-proof and not subject to investment risk.
• Generous employer contributions, typically over 28% of pensionable earnings.
• Flexible retirement options, including the choice of a tax-free lump sum.
• Death in service benefits and survivor pensions.
• Support for ill-health retirement.

For more details, visit the Civil Service Pension Scheme Website.

Application feedback

We will notify you of the status of your application. We regret that we are only able to offer detailed feedback to candidates who have been unsuccessful at the interview stage.

How to complain

We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy.

Please contact the Office for Students sponsorship team in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at OfficeforStudents.APPLICATIONS@education.gov.uk. They will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.

Data protection

The Cabinet Office will use your data in line with our privacy policy.

Personal data collected as part of this exercise will be processed in accordance with the Department for Education Privacy Notice. You can access the privacy notice here

Contact details

Please contact officeforstudents.applications@education.gov.uk should you have any questions.

Attachments

• Candidate pack