Senior Private Secretary
Bristol
£56,209 - £58,820
Plus generous Civil Service defined benefit pension
As Senior Private Secretary, you will play a central role in supporting the Chair and Chief Executives of the Office for Students. Working at the heart of the organisation, you will help ensure that they receive the right information, advice and support to lead the organisation effectively. You will coordinate complex and fast-moving priorities, provide high-quality briefings, and help ensure that key decisions and actions are delivered.
About us
The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of higher education in England. We regulate higher education on behalf of all students, ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, has a fulfilling experience that enriches their lives and careers. We have high ambitions and offer great opportunities to get involved in bringing that vision to life.
The role
This is an exciting opportunity to work at the centre a busy Private Office function, supporting the Chair, Chief Executives and Chief of Staff on some of the most important issues affecting higher education.
The role is critical to managing the flow of information to senior leaders, preparing them for meetings and events, and ensuring that important organisational priorities are delivered effectively. You will work closely with colleagues across the OfS and with external stakeholders, building strong relationships and helping to navigate complex issues and competing demands.
The role combines strategic thinking with practical delivery. One day you might be preparing a briefing for a major stakeholder engagement, the next you could be coordinating action on a time-critical issue, supporting executive decision-making, or leading improvements to how the private office operates.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys variety, pace and making a real contribution to the leadership of the organisation.
About you
We are looking for someone who can build strong working relationships, exercise sound judgement, and remain calm and organised when managing competing priorities.
Essential criteria:
Desirable criteria:
For the purposes of recruitment to the role, we are measuring the following core competencies:
Seeing the big picture
Level 3: Managing and influencing complex team or project relationships
I continually develop andmaintainan understanding of legislative, economic, social, political, environmental,technologicaland regulatory developments to ensure my activity is relevant to the wider context
Iidentifyandanticipatethe work implications of changing priorities in my area
I ensure that different perspectives and the views or needs ofdifferent groups(including all protected characteristics) are appropriately reflected in our work when achieving goals
I recognise,appreciateand share the views and perspectives of a wide range of internal and external stakeholder interests
I understand the impact of our regulation on the higher education sector, individualprovidersand students.
Communicating and Influencing
Level 3: Managing and influencing complex team or project relationships
I actively deploy different methods for influencing others
I act as a role model to others by communicating straightforwardly and 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 or important messages with clarity and sensitivity.
I can articulate arguments and reasons in a clear and persuasive manner
When required as part of my role, I constructively engage with providers,studentsand other organisations to inform theOfS’sregulatory activities.
I show positivity and enthusiasm towards work, encouraging others to do the same.
Delivering at pace
Level 3: Managing and influencing complex team or project relationships
I ensure the delivery oftimely, quality outcomes, through providing the right resources for tasks,reviewingand adjusting performance expectations and rewarding success
Imaintainmy own level of performance in challenging circumstances and support others to do the same
I adjust priorities and focus swiftly as theOfS’sinternal and external context changes, to keep whole team efforts on the top priorities
I consider how my workimpactsother teams across the organisation
I translate strategic priorities into clear outcome-focusedobjectivesfor managers and teams
I regularlymonitormy own and my team’s performance against milestones.
Managing a quality service
Level 3: Managing and influencing complex team or project relationships
I use project management skills and techniques to achieve agreed results, including identifying risks and implementing mitigating actions
I understand the financial position of my part of the OfS and the widerorganisation, andmaintain good financial and resource discipline
I create regular opportunities for employees and stakeholders to help improve the quality of OfS service
I deliver positive stakeholder service, informed by appreciating the complexity and diversity of their needs and theOfS’sregulatory objectives
I regularly reflect on the quality of the team’s work,identifyingopportunities for improvement whererequired
Application process
There are 3 online application questions to complete, alongside providing a copy of your CV, which will allow you to demonstrate your relevant experience.
Reasonable adjustments
We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you through the application stage, please contact us at recruitmentteam@officeforstudents.org.uk and we will be happy to help.
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 use as guidance on how they deliver their business goals. In a typical week, we expect colleagues to spend several days working from the office, balancing business needs, team collaboration and individual responsibilities
Closing date for applications: Wednesday 12 August at noon
Interviews: From 19 August
For information: the OfS does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence.
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.
Our work covers all students whether undergraduate or postgraduate, home or international, young or mature, full-time or part-time, studying on a campus or by distance learning.
