Legal Adviser - Office for Students

Office for Students; Harry Stoke; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

A higher education regulatory body in the UK is seeking a legal professional to provide regulatory advice and manage legal matters. The role involves engaging with various legal issues related to higher education, including litigation and consumer protection law. Candidates should have a strong legal background and excellent communication skills. Flexible working arrangements are available, promoting a supportive and inclusive workplace.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

Learning and development opportunities

Flexible working options

Inclusive workplace culture

Qualifications

• Expertise in regulatory matters, especially in higher education.
• Transferable legal experience, particularly in litigation and public law.
• Ability to produce high-quality legal documents and guidance.

Responsibilities

• Lead on legal advice for higher education regulation.
• Advise on consumer protection and data protection law.
• Manage litigation activities including judicial review.

Skills

Expert knowledge of the Higher Education and Research Act 2017

Regulatory and/or public law experience

Litigation and judicial review experience

Communication and influencing skills

Collaborative working in diverse teams

Education

Qualified legal professional

Job description

Develop your legal expertise in an organisation that's shaping policy and regulation. Make a real difference to the lives of students by bringing your legal skills to the Office for Students (OfS). As the independent regulator of higher education in England, we ensure the best experience and the best value – for students, for taxpayers, for the economy and for the public good. This is an opportunity to grow your legal expertise by working across our diverse and rapidly evolving organisation on a wide range of regulatory and corporate issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead on provision of legal advice and support for a broad range of legal matters including precedent‑setting higher education and public law issues.
• Advise on consumer protection, charity law, human rights, data protection and information law.
• Provide advice on legislation applying to the higher education sector such as the Higher Education and Research Act 2017.
• Handle data protection and information law matters, including GDPR and the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
• Consult on public law principles, statutory duties, equalities legislation, delegation of functions and decision‑making processes.
• Deal with human rights law and charity law matters.
• Manage litigation activities including judicial review proceedings, statutory appeals and regulatory investigations (including dawn raid powers).
• Advise on consumer protection law.
• Use OfS enforcement and information‑gathering powers.
• Work within the regulatory framework and registration conditions that apply to higher education providers.
• Commission external legal support (including counsel) and negotiate fees for external legal services.
• Produce internal guidance documents on key legal and regulatory issues to a high standard.
• Organise training for the legal team in line with professional CPD requirements.
• Work closely with the Legal Senior Leadership Team and senior lawyers to deliver OfS objectives.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to build and maintain productive relationships.

Knowledge and Experience

• Expert knowledge of the Higher Education and Research Act 2017.
• Comprehensive understanding of OfS work and operations.
• Directly transferable regulatory and/or public law experience, with at least two of the following:
  • Litigation involving judicial review and/or regulatory appeals.
  • Interpretation of regulatory rules such as licence conditions.
  • Application of sector‑specific legislation relating to a regulatory body.
  • Investigation and enforcement in a regulatory context.

Core Competencies

• Making Effective Decisions – manage and influence complex relationships, recognise biases, weigh sources of information, use sound judgment, and encourage innovative suggestions.
• Delivering at Pace – promote procedures for timely results, monitor progress against milestones, re‑assess workloads, and maintain focus on priorities.
• Communicating and Influencing – deploy varied methods of influence, communicate clearly and honestly, remain open‑minded, deliver difficult messages with sensitivity, and articulate arguments persuasively.
• Collaborating and Partnering – seek input and support across the OfS, build team spirit, create a collaborative, diverse and inclusive environment, and actively consider input from diverse backgrounds.

Flexibility

Flexible working is important to the OfS and may involve working from the office two or three days a week. Flexible arrangements such as job share and part‑time work apply to this role.

Security

• Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
• Individuals working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Nationality Requirements

• UK nationals
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals of Commonwealth who have the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members with a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under the EUSS
• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Salary and Benefits

• £56,209 – £58,820 plus a £5,000 allowance (and London weighting of £3,566 where appropriate)
• Generous Civil Service defined benefit pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• Flexible working options
• Culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

Closing date for applications: 15 December 2025
Interviews: From 5 January 2026
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.