Stakeholder Engagement Manager

Office for Students; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 56,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

A higher education regulatory body in England is seeking a Stakeholder Engagement Manager. The role involves developing stakeholder engagement strategies, advising on communications plans, and writing briefings. The ideal candidate will possess strong knowledge of the higher education sector and exceptional interpersonal skills. The position is based in London or Bristol with competitive salary and benefits.

Benefits

Civil Service pension scheme

25 days annual leave plus public holidays

Comprehensive learning and development

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of the higher education sector.
• Demonstrable experience in stakeholder engagement.
• Exceptional communication and networking abilities.

Responsibilities

• Advise on stakeholder engagement for strategic communication plans.
• Track stakeholder engagement across the OfS.
• Write briefings and speeches for various audiences.

Skills

Knowledge of the higher education sector

Interpersonal skills

Public affairs strategies

Political acumen

Organizational skills

Job description

Stakeholder Engagement Manager

Location: Bristol or London

Salary: £56,209 - £58,820 (plus London allowance of £3,566 where appropriate)

Generous Civil Service defined benefit pension

Who we are

The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of higher education in England – we regulate higher education on behalf of all students. Our mission is to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers

About the role

Sitting within the Strategy, Delivery and Communications (SDC) Directorate, the communications team drives the OfS’s external and internal communications, including public affairs, media relations, digital publishing, stakeholder engagement, events and public information. Communications is essential for the organisation to drive progress towards our strategic goals.

We’re looking for someone with a strong knowledge of the higher education sector, experience of developing implementing successful stakeholder engagement and/or public affairs strategies and strong interpersonal skills to join our busy team.

Working with the Head of Stakeholder Engagement, you’ll work to drive forward and co‑ordinate stakeholder engagement around key strategic projects. The role requires close working with colleagues across the organisation to ensure a joined‑up approach to stakeholder engagement across strategic communication plans and publication launches. The role‑holder will also work with the Head of Provider Relations, for example supporting our programme of visits to higher education providers. In all cases, the role holder will need to think about the bigger picture and how to make sure these activities contribute to our wider aims.

Key responsibilities

• Advise on and implement stakeholder engagement for strategic communications plans and launches
• Track stakeholder engagement across the OfS, develop processes to ensure the organisation’s engagement is coordinated
• Write briefings, speeches and talking points for a range of audiences, ranging from senior OfS staff to parliamentarians.
• Prepare oral and written evidence documentation to be used in reports, briefing documents and speeches.
• Undertake proactive political and sector monitoring and manage timely internal updates, including the drafting of lines to take.
• Draft parliamentary correspondence
• Undertake networking and attending external meetings, to support senior leaders and staff in representing the views of the OfS as a regulator.
• Working alongside the Head of Stakeholder Engagement, prepare senior OfS staff ahead of external engagements including meetings, and external events and testing out scenarios to deal with different OfS policy issues and lines of enquiry.
• Maintain the OfS stakeholder mapping process and ensuring it is up to date.
• Deputise for the Head of Stakeholder Engagement as required.
• Undertake joint working with the Head of Provider Relations on shared pieces of work where required, including supporting the management of the programme of visits to universities and colleges and the anticipated engagement interventions, drawing up plans and initiating lines of enquiry where required.

About you

The key person attributes to fulfil this role are:

• Excellent knowledge of the higher education sector
• Demonstrable evidence of developing and implementing successful public affairs / stakeholder engagement strategies
• Exceptional interpersonal, influencing and networking skills, with the ability to build rapport and establish strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
• Strong political acumen and interest in politics and current affairs
• Outstanding written and verbal communications skills, with the ability to speak about the OfS’s work with confidence internally and externally;
• Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and ability to use own initiative to pick up work proactively and work autonomously without close supervision
• Strong judgement and discretion;
• The ability to develop and improve systems and processes and embed new ways of working.

The competencies for this role include

Making effective decisions

• I make decisions when they are needed, even if they prove difficult or unpopular.
• I consult with others in good time to ensure the potential impacts of decisions are considered.
• I recognise patterns and trends in evidence, drawing on this to inform decisions.
• I present clear, well‑reasoned recommendations in a timely manner, outlining the consideration of other options, costs, benefits and risks.
• I debate and discuss issues rigorously before making decisions.
• I recognise where there is a need or legal obligation to consult.
• I can assess regulatory risks associated with decisions.

Delivering at pace

• I ensure the delivery of timely, quality outcomes, through providing the right resources for tasks, reviewing and adjusting performance expectations and rewarding success.
• I maintain my own level of performance in challenging circumstances and support others to do the same.
• I adjust priorities and focus swiftly, as the OfS’s internal and external context changes, considering how my work impacts other teams across the organisation.
• I translate strategic priorities into clear outcome‑focused objectives for managers and teams.
• I quickly re‑prioritise and formulate plans accordingly as the environment changes.

Communicating and influencing

• I actively deploy different methods for influencing others, including making the most of digital resources to respond to different learning styles.
• I act as a role model to others by communicating 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 messages with clarity and sensitivity.
• I can articulate arguments and reasons in a clear and persuasive manner.

Collaborating and partnering

• I readily share resources across the OfS, to support high priority work, showing pragmatism and support for the shared goals of our organisation.
• I ensure consideration and support for the wellbeing of myself and individuals throughout the team.
• I create an inclusive working environment where all opinions and challenges are considered in a respectful way.
• I encourage my team to work proactively with other OfS teams to ensure we deliver common goals successfully.

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.

At the OfS, we recognise that flexibility can enable people to work more effectively. A set of organisation‑wide principles shape our approach to flexible and hybrid working, which our teams then use as guidance on how they deliver their business goals. This would usually mean working from the office for two to three days in a typical week.

To note, if your primary location is London there will be occasional travel to Bristol required. This role will also require some morning and evening work to attend meetings, receptions and network events.

To attract the widest possible field of qualified applicants, flexible working, for example job share and part time working, apply to this role.

In addition, our Total Reward Framework offers a range of benefits to suit your way of life. These include comprehensive learning and development, annual leave starting at 25 days per year (plus public holidays), access to the highly regarded Civil Service pension scheme and a variety of health benefits.

Next steps

To make an application, please upload a copy of your CV and a cover letter describing your suitability for the role, reflecting on the key responsibilities and competencies outlined.

For questions regarding any element of the process, please contact: [e-mail].

Closing date for applications

12:00 24 November 2025

Interviews

15 December