Strategic Finance Adviser - Office for Students

Strategic Finance Adviser

Location: Bristol

Salary: 68,720 - 72,004

Plus generous defined benefit Civil Service Pension

Travel to higher education provider locations will be a necessary part of the role, although will be variable depending on business need. 

About Us 

The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of higher education in England. It exists to ensure that English higher education offers the best experience and the best value: for students, for taxpayers, for the economy and for the public good.

Our vision is that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers.

About the role 

We are seeking two Strategic Finance Advisers to join our Regulation Directorate. This role is critical in protecting student interests through rigorous financial monitoring of higher education (HE) providers. The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant who is experienced operating at a senior level, with a strong background in financial management, auditing, and an understanding of the higher education sector. 

As a member of senior staff, you will lead the organisation to develop, implement and deliver its strategy and business plan. You must therefore be, and be seen to be, credible champions for the OfSs approach to regulation and role models in this respect for staff and with external stakeholders. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Financial Monitoring and Risk Management: 

• Conduct detailed reviews of financial data and modelling outputs for HE providers with greater financial sustainability risks. 

• Engage with senior management at HE providers, including Finance Directors and Accountable Officers, to discuss financial risk management.  

• Through engagement with providers on a risk basis, ensure the OfS has up-to-date knowledge of providers finances, contingency plans, and capacity to adapt to financial risks. 

• Provide expert, evidence-based advice on the financial management of providers. 

• Review and challenge providers stress testing, scenario planning, and financial risk management plans. 

• Make formal recommendations to OfS to support and improve our regulation of provider financial sustainability and monitor improvement plans. 

Management and Governance: 

• Evaluate the management and governance systems at providers to maintain financial viability and sustainability. 

• Ensure providers have sufficient skills and robust management/data systems to secure financial sustainability for the benefit of students. 

• Make and monitor recommendations to OfS to improve our regulation of financial management at providers. 

Market Exit Casework: 

• Provide expert financial advice on market exit risks at providers where relevant. 

• Monitor and scrutinise financial plans at providers facing higher market exit risks, making appropriate recommendations. 

• Support modelling of financial implications of market exit options for individual cases. 

• Engage with stakeholders, including government, funders, lenders, auditors, and advisors, as necessary. 

General duties: 

• Stay informed on the latest trends in financial sustainability. 

• Share knowledge and experience with colleagues across the OfS, integrating financial investigatory work into other regulatory risk assessments. 

• Feedback data and intelligence into OfS sector analysis and modelling. 

• Support the OfS understanding of the sectors capacity to absorb financial risk. 

• Report outcomes through OfS management. 

About you:

We are looking for someone with the following skills and experience. You will have:

Essential criteria:

• An Accountancy qualification  

• Extensive experience in financial management and audit/financial interrogation. 

• Proven experience of engaging with senior management. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

• Strong relationship management abilities. 

Desirable criteria: 

• Good understanding of the higher education sector and its finances. 

• Experience in corporate governance, regulation, project management.  

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

Seeing the big picture

• I continually develop and maintain an understanding of legislative, economic, social, political, environmental, technological and regulatory developments to ensure my activity is relevant to the wider context.
• I identify and anticipate the work implications of changing priorities in my area.
• I ensure that different perspectives and the views or needs of different groups (including all protected characteristics) are appropriately reflected in our work when achieving goals.
• I recognise, appreciate and 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, individual providers and students.

Communicating and influencing

• 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, students and other organisations to inform the OfSs regulatory activities.
• I show positivity and enthusiasm towards work, encouraging others to do the same.

Making effective decisions

• I empower colleagues to make effective decisions where appropriate.
• I recognise my own biases and assumptions and manage them to make better decisions.
• I actively analyse and weigh up information from a range of credible internal and external sources, to make decisions that take account of the wider organisational, political and regulatory context.
• I can identify gaps in information and make reasonable assumptions.
• I encourage innovative suggestions and challenge from others, to support informed decision making.
• I make reliable judgements and decisions when information is complex or imperfect, even in novel circumstances.
• I use sound judgment, that is risk based and proportionate, drawing on legal advice and public consultation approaches, wherever necessary and appropriate.
• I identify and interpret relevant legislation and use this to develop, implement or communicate the OfSs regulatory approach.
• I am able to appropriately interpret and apply legal advice effectively, ensuring alignment with our risk appetite.
• I consult with others to ensure that the potential wider impacts of my decisions are understood.
• I display confidence in making difficult decisions even when unpopular.