Job Description

Principal Analyst - Financial Analysis
Bristol
68,720 72,004
Plus generous defined benefit Civil Service pension
Job Summary
We are looking for a 'Principal Analyst - Financial Sustainability' to be a key part of our statutory duty to monitor and report on the financial sustainability of HE providers and the financial patterns and trends across the sector. This role sits within the Sector Financial Analysis team, itself a part of the Regulation Directorate
About us



The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of higher education in England. We regulate higher education on behalf of all students, ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, has a fulfilling experience that enriches their lives and careers. We have high ambitions and offer great opportunities to get involved in bringing that vision to life.
The role
This role is key in assessing the financial health and sustainability of the higher education sector at an overall level. It will involve leading on the financial analysis of data submitted by providers and providing high quality outputs to both internal and external stakeholders.
The team regularly publishes high quality external publications which require a high level of accuracy in the analysis and outputs. The post holder will use their analysis of emerging trends and sector policy to inform the development of scenario modelling and the treatment of future risks at a sector level.
About you
The key attributes you will need to succeed in this role are:Significant experience in financial analysis and modelling. Experience providing expert advice to senior stakeholders. Strong understanding of the higher education sector and public sector finance. Experience managing projects and coordinating cross-functional teams. Proven ability to produce high-quality reports and publications. Experience managing and developing staff. An accounting qualification with up-to-date CPD.

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 or three days in a typical week.
To attract the widest possible field of qualified applicants, flexible working, for example job share and part time working, apply to this role.
Closing date for applications: 12:00 on 10 November 2025
Interviews from 3 December 2025