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.

As Engagement Officer you will

• Manage delivery and coordination of briefings for the OfS’s programme of visits to universities and colleges (approximately 40 per cent of the role)
• Prepare external and internal briefings, speeches and talking points for a range of audiences, ranging from senior OfS staff to parliamentarians
• Manage the OfS’s public affairs activity, including drafting supporting parliamentary correspondence, including letters and briefings to MPs, own relationship with APPGs, undertake networking and attend external meetings to support senior leaders and staff in representing the OfS
• Undertake proactive political and sector monitoring through management of the OfS’s monitoring service and draft and manage timely internal updates
• Own and maintain the OfS stakeholder mapping process, ensuring it is up to date; track stakeholder engagement across the OfS to ensure the organisation maintains useful records of interactions with stakeholders
• Develop strategic stakeholder engagement activity and ideas across several workstreams and advising on strategic communications plans for launches and publications
• Work with Administrative Resource Unit colleagues to ensure timely and accurate responses from the OfS’s public enquiries function

The skills and experience you already have:

• Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and ability to use own initiative to pick up work proactively and work autonomously without close supervision
• Political awareness and an interest in public affairs
• Outstanding written communication skills, in particular the ability to present complex policy and technical information in a clear, accessible way tailored to specific audiences
• Good networking and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted, effective working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders
• Experience of working in a team that has delivered high-quality and impactful public affairs and / or stakeholder engagement strategies
• Excellent writing skills

Desirable experience

• Previous experience working in higher education