Head of Planning and Programmes
| Posting date: | 19 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £68,720 to £72,004 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Plus generous Civil Service defined benefit pension |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 21 March 2026 |
| Location: | BS34 8SR |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | Office For Students |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | R0001465 |
Summary
Head of Planning and Programmes
Salary: £68,720 - £72,004
Location: Bristol
Generous Civil Service defined benefit pension
About us
We are the independent regulator of higher education in England. We aim to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers.
We’re proud of our people, our culture and the benefits we offer. We care about supporting and developing our staff. At the OfS we want to create a welcoming and engaging working environment which is free from discrimination.
We’re looking for skilled, committed people who care about students and their experience of higher education. Join us and you’ll be part of an energetic, forward-looking organisation with high ambitions and big opportunities for our people.
About the role
We’re looking for an effective leader to shape how the Office for Students (OfS) plans, delivers and improves its work. As Head of Planning and Programmes, you will lead three core areas:
• Business planning – developing a clear, prioritised and deliverable OfS business plan aligned to our strategy.
• Programme and project management – acting as custodian of our project lifecycle and ensuring projects and programmes deliver real impact: on time, on budget, and to the right quality.
• Operational improvement – advising senior leaders on change, resource allocation, and continuous improvement.
You will lead a small team of expert project and resource managers and work closely with colleagues across finance, organisational development, and the wider organisation.
For information: the OfS does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence.
Salary: £68,720 - £72,004
Location: Bristol
Generous Civil Service defined benefit pension
About us
We are the independent regulator of higher education in England. We aim to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers.
We’re proud of our people, our culture and the benefits we offer. We care about supporting and developing our staff. At the OfS we want to create a welcoming and engaging working environment which is free from discrimination.
We’re looking for skilled, committed people who care about students and their experience of higher education. Join us and you’ll be part of an energetic, forward-looking organisation with high ambitions and big opportunities for our people.
About the role
We’re looking for an effective leader to shape how the Office for Students (OfS) plans, delivers and improves its work. As Head of Planning and Programmes, you will lead three core areas:
• Business planning – developing a clear, prioritised and deliverable OfS business plan aligned to our strategy.
• Programme and project management – acting as custodian of our project lifecycle and ensuring projects and programmes deliver real impact: on time, on budget, and to the right quality.
• Operational improvement – advising senior leaders on change, resource allocation, and continuous improvement.
You will lead a small team of expert project and resource managers and work closely with colleagues across finance, organisational development, and the wider organisation.
For information: the OfS does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.