Job Description

Evaluation Manager
Fixed term Maternity Cover
56,209 - 58,820 pa
Bristol
Job Summary
We are looking for an experienced Evaluation Manager to join the central Evaluation team at the OfS. This role is a maternity cover position, expected to last from February 2026 to March 2027, with the possibility of extension. Secondments from other organisations are encouraged.
In this role, you will be at the forefront of shaping the future of higher education, using evidence to influence policy-makers and senior leaders. You will be leading evaluation activity and driving evaluative thinking across the organisation, to support the OfS to learn and improve the way we regulate.
We are looking to recruit someone with substantial policy and programme evaluation experience, who is passionate about and committed to using evaluation to further impact.
About us



The Office for Students (OfS) exists to ensure that English higher education offers the best experience and the best value - for students, for taxpayers, for the economy and for the public good. It is the independent regulator of higher education in England - we regulate higher education on behalf of all students. Our vision is that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers.
The evaluation team is small and friendly, with big ambitions and diverse expertise. We work across the OfS to ensure that the work of the OfS is supported by robust evidence.
The role
The Evaluation Manager will help the OfS work more effectively, by leading impactful evaluation activity and evaluative thinking across the organisation. In this role you will:Scope, run, and commission evaluations of OfS activity. Manage commissioned suppliers to conduct evaluations. Conduct data collection, with opportunities for both quantitative and qualitative analysis. Manage junior team colleagues and manage projects. Provide expert support, advice and quality assurance to evaluations led by other teams. Support teams and senior decision-makers across the OfS to learn from and improve their regulatory interventions through their evaluations, and through facilitating learning / reflection exercises. Engage stakeholders and ensure evaluation findings are translated into actions. Drive organisational culture change to celebrate evaluation and embed a learning mindset (for example, delivering internal training sessions and presentations, writing blogs, building evaluation into organisational processes). Develop your own knowledge of relevant research and evaluation and share this to build the knowledge of the team and wider colleagues.
We typically conduct impact and/or process evaluations, with a strong focus on theories of change and theory-based approaches and use mixed-methods designs. We are developing our expertise in quasi-experimental approaches.
This is an exciting time to join us as the team is kicking off new phases of work evaluating core areas of the OfS's regulation, as the OfS embarks on a new five year strategy. The team also continuously looks for ways to further build evaluation culture and capability in the organisation. Sitting within the Strategy, Delivery and Communications Directorate, the work of the Evaluation Team is a priority for the OfS to make sure our regulatory model is underpinned by rigorous evaluation and a commitment to learning, improvement, and ultimately impact.
Initial projects are subject to change, but it is anticipated the Evaluation Manager will lead on the impact evaluation of our approach to Access and Participation Plans (part of how we regulate equality of opportunity in English higher education). Alongside this, the role-holder may lead evaluations of our regulatory work relating to free speech, harassment and sexual misconduct, management and governance or our approach to regulating quality at universities and colleges.
The role is one of two Evaluation Managers, working closely with two Evaluation Officers, and reporting into the Head of Evaluation. The role involves collaborating with colleagues across the organisation. The Evaluation Team works in a hybrid way, coming together regularly in person in the office as a team, with a general expectation of two days in the office each week.
About you
We are looking to recruit someone with substantial evaluation experience who is committed to using evidence to improve practices and further impact. As a manager in our team, we are looking for someone who values working collaboratively and places high importance on learning, development and sharing knowledge and expertise.
We are looking for someone with the following knowledge, skills and experience:
EssentialExperience of leading the scoping and delivery of practical evaluation activity in social policy fields. Advanced knowledge of research design approaches and the use of data in evaluating social policy. In particular, knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods, (quasi-) experimental and theory-based approaches, and knowledge of their limitations and strengths. Experience of analysing qualitative and/or quantitative data using appropriate specialist software (e.g. R, Python, SPSS, NVivo, MaxQDA) Experience in working with theories of change. Excellent project and time management skills, with ability to work independently, prioritise and balance multiple workstreams and adapt to changing circumstances. Skilled in delivering high quality outputs, including well written communications and reports. Ability to communicate clearly and influence specialist and non-specialist audiences. Skilled in collaborating, managing relationships and supporting others, including managing project teams and the development of junior staff Holds a postgraduate degree (or has equivalent experience) in a subject with a relevant research component. A passion for evaluation, evidence, and learning and ability to demonstrate leadership and champion evaluation.
DesirableExperience working in regulation, higher education or the public sector. Experience commissioning and managing evaluation and social research contracts. A working knowledge of access and participation in the higher education sector.
Working for us



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.
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We love working flexibly because we know that it helps us all to do our best work. We've created a set of principles to 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 or three days in a typical week.
We want to attract the best people to work with us, and will consider requests for flexible working, including job share and part-time working.
Find out more about working for us in the 'Why work here' section of our website: Why work here? - Office for Students
Benefits
Our Total Reward Framework offers a range of benefits to suit your way of life:25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays Comprehensive learning and development - we're invested in your future Generous Civil Service pension scheme Health benefits
In addition, we take a proactive approach to professional development within the team, and will work with the successful candidate to seek opportunities to develop skills, knowledge and experience in the role.
Location
This role is based in Bristol. Our main office is in Bristol, with a smaller office in central London.
Application process
For your application, you will need to upload a copy of your CV (no more than 2 pages) which should set out your relevant qualifications and experience, with information about how these relate to the requirements of this role.
There are two online application questions to complete, which allow you to demonstrate your relevant experience and knowledge against selected key requirements of the role. We don't think AI is suitable for answering these questions, given they are based on your experience. If you do use it, you should consider how its use may impact on the accuracy and clarity of your response. You should be prepared to answer questions about your responses should you be successful in progressing to interview stage. The closing date for applications is noon on Monday 10 November 2025.
For those that progress to the next stage, there will be a short online task to be completed during the period 14-20 November. Interviews will take place during the week of 1 December.
If you have any queries about the role, please contact RecruitmentTeam@officeforstudents.org.uk