Somerville College is seeking an outstanding Treasurer and Domestic Bursar to lead its financial and operational endeavours.
Responsible for the management and administration of all financial, estates, human resource and operational issues affecting the College, they will have oversight of the inner-most workings of the College and be responsible for ensuring that there are excellent systems for communicating about these in place. As we step into a new chapter, we invite a financial leader with gravitas and cultural sensitivity to inspire confidence and secure the future of the College.
Unique in its scope, this combined role of Treasurer and Domestic Bursar will represent the College across its financial and operational affairs, both to Somervillians and to the wider Oxford community. Sitting as a Fellow and Trustee of the College, the role helps set the direction for the College’s futureproofing strategies, a central part of which over the next decade will be helping to drive our net zero initiatives and making the College more sustainable.
Key Responsibilities:
Financial and Operational Expertise: With a history of financial and operational leadership, you will expertly navigate the complexities of both domains to optimise efficiency and cohesion across departments.
Complex Financial Management: Handle internal financial reporting systems and external endowment fund accounts, demonstrating diverse financial experiences, including charity SORP accounting, regulatory compliance, and precise budget orchestration.
Team Leadership: Manage a large and diverse team, including direct reports from heads of departments including Catering and Conference, Estates, Housekeeping, Human Resources, Lodge and Treasury, while overseeing a larger team of 250+ staff members when needed. You will need to be comfortable with, and enjoy moving seamlessly between big picture and operational detail.
Stakeholder Engagement: Actively engage with the vibrant Somerville community, which comprises over 500 undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as vital stakeholders such as the Fellows and the Governing Body, the wider University community, alumni and advisors.
Experiences required
The ideal candidate will have deep financial expertise as an FD, CFO, COO or Treasurer and ideally holding an ACCA, ACA, or CIMA qualification. They will have held a P&L and had full budgetary responsibility across a complex set of operations or portfolio including operations and HR leadership.
We are not looking for specific sector expertise but a real asset will be understanding of charity SORP reporting and accounting and a real empathy with the workings of an academic institution.
Demonstrable experience in or an ability to show a deep commitment to complex institutions’ sustainable growth and development will be key.
For more information or to apply (with a CV and covering letter) please contact the hiring team at Moloney Search on SOM@moloneysearch.com. Closing date for applications is 8th December 2023. All enquiries will be treated in strict confidence and will not form part of the selection decision.