People Committee - Independent Member

OFFICE FOR STUDENTS; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An independent regulator of higher education is seeking up to two independent members for the People Committee. This role involves attending meetings, providing support to the executive, and ensuring accountability. Candidates should have prior experience in strategic people issues and governance. This non-executive position offers valuable opportunity for influence while enhancing one's CV.

Qualifications

• Candidates should have previous experience of people/remuneration committees.
• Proven experience at a senior level overseeing strategic people-related issues.
• Strong track record of leading organisational change in people-related areas.

Responsibilities

• Attend four meetings per year to provide scrutiny and support to the executive.
• Ensure accountability and compliance within governance frameworks.
• Advise the OfS board on people and culture matters.

Skills

Previous experience of people/remuneration committees

Senior level experience in strategic people and culture issues

Leading organisational change

Understanding of employment law

Understanding of the Equality Act 2010

Appropriate approaches to equality matters

Job description

The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of higher education in England. We protect the interests of over 2.5 million students across a diverse sector that includes multi-faculty universities, specialist institutions, further education colleges, and private providers. We have recently published our Strategy for 2025 to 2030.

To deliver on our strategy, we must attract and retain exceptional talent. The People Committee gives advice and makes recommendations on staff matters, including performance and remuneration. It also provides advice and assurance on people, culture and reward matters at the OfS.

We are seeking up to two independent members to join the People Committee. This is a valuable opportunity to influence and support the development of a high‑performing, values‑driven organisation while benefitting from the CV-enhancing potential of a non‑executive role.

Role

Attending four meetings per year, you will be able to provide an appropriate level of scrutiny, support and challenge to the executive, and assurance and advice to the OfS board.

You will have

• previous experience of people/remuneration committees.
• proven experience at a senior level in overseeing strategic people and culture related issues such as senior pay and performance frameworks, workforce planning, leadership development and equality within large or high‑profile organisations in the public or customer‑facing charity or private sectors.
• a strong track record of leading organisational change in people‑related areas to address strategic workforce challenges, particularly in unionised environments.
• a sound understanding of employment law, and experience of operating within governance and assurance frameworks to ensure accountability and compliance.
• an accurate understanding of the Equality Act 2010.
• a demonstrable understanding of appropriate approaches to equality matters for a regulator with obligations in relation to impartiality.

Closing date: Noon Monday 8 December 2025

Interviews: Monday 12 January 2026 (online)