Fixed Term for 18 Months

£37,614 plus generous Civil Service defined benefit pension

Bristol

Join us as a Senior PA and play a pivotal role in supporting the administration function to deliver a quality service.

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.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly organised, proactive and professional individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys building strong relationships, and is passionate about delivering exceptional administrative support.

As a Senior PA, you'll provide high-quality support to senior managers, lead and develop a team of administrative professionals and drive continuous improvement across administrative processes. If you're an excellent communicator with sound judgement, and a flexible, collaborative approach, we'd love to hear from you.

About you

You’ll have experience of supporting managers as a personal assistant, able to work in a team and demonstrate leadership qualities.

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

Collaborating and partnering

Collaborating and partnership is about building strategic, inclusive relationships, built on mutual respect, confidence and trust, that enable us to deliver our priorities. Internally, it includes effective teamwork.

Communicating and influencing

Whether verbal or written, communication should carry clarity, conviction and enthusiasm. It should respect the needs, responses and opinions of others, and anticipate concerns. The OfS should provide information that is easily understood by everyone.

Managing a quality service

Managing a quality service means being set up to deliver the activity in our business plan. It is about all staff contributing to setting the standards that lead to a high-quality service, considering different stakeholder needs and requirements. We want a culture that encourages continuous improvement, efficiency and value for money, to fulfil the OfS’s regulatory role and mission. Motivated staff who are well-led, clear about the OfS’s purpose, engaged in their work, and well-supported will produce high quality, and cost-efficient services.

Developing self and others

Developing self and others is about a focus on continuous professional development and learning for ourselves, our colleagues, and the wider organisation, by ensuring there is an effective mix of behaviours, knowledge, and skills to meet the OfS’s evolving needs.

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 [email protected] 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.

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 7 September

Interviews from 30 September

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