Bursar Oxford, England
Job description
JOB TITLE: BURSAR
Location: Campion Hall, University of Oxford
Salary: £65,000 - £70,000
Time: 40 hours per week (Monday to Friday) but with a requirement to work more flexible hours should the need arise
Start date: 21stAugust 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter
Application deadline: 12pm, 26thMay 2023
Interview dates: First Round: 6, 8 June 2023; Second Round 15 June 2023
OVERVIEW
Campion Hall is looking for an experienced and well-qualified candidate with excellent financial, buildings management, organisational and administrative skills to fill this permanent post in a unique Hall of the University of Oxford. The successful candidate will be a strong, yet collaborative, team player, at home with a collegial style of working.
Reporting to the Master, the Bursar oversees all operational aspects of the Hall’s life, including responsibility for the Hall’s finances and financial administration of its staff and students. The postholder will also have oversight of the Hall’s physical infrastructure (a Grade II listed building in the heart of Oxford) supported by a range of specialist contractors. The Bursar also has responsibility, as a member of the Hall’s Senior Leadership Team, for implementation of key aspects of the Hall’s Strategic Plan. The post involves significant levels of interaction with other members of the Hall, with officers in the University, and with a range of visitors to the Hall. Membership of the wider Bursarial community across the University is also a key part of this role.
INTRODUCTION
Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1896, Campion Hall is one of five Permanent Private Halls at the University of Oxford. It is an international community of fellows, graduate students, and staff, who share the motivation to understand and promote all that is truly human on our shared planet. Its unique character combines the intellectual and educational traditions of Oxford and the Society of Jesus. As one of the smaller graduate communities in the University of Oxford, Campion Hall offers a supportive learning environment that carefully attends to each student’s academic and non-academic development. Through participation in the academic and communal life of Campion Hall, graduate students are formed in the qualities of character and intellect that fit them to contribute to the greater good.
The Laudato Si’ Research Institute, based at Campion Hall, was launched in 2019 to conduct transdisciplinary research for socio-ecological change. Its research incorporates a wide range of disciplinary perspectives, including the wisdom of religious traditions and marginalized voices, and is oriented toward practice. By engaging in a different way of researching, teaching, and learning in higher education, it seeks to inspire a new and creative dialogue between the academy and those who are invested in socio-ecological change for the flourishing of our common home.
ROLE
The Bursar is a senior administrative officer of the Hall. They will be accountable to the Master, any future Governing Body of the Hall, and the Trustees of the British Province (Trustees for Roman Catholic Purposes) (Registered Charity Nos: England & Wales: 230165).
The Bursar will have overall responsibility for all aspects of financial management of the Hall along with oversight of compliance, legal, and HR issues. The Bursar also has overall responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Hall's site and buildings. The Bursar's role is to offer strategic guidance in all of these areas, and to efficiently manage resources by supporting and directing those with day-to-day responsibility.
An important aspect of the Bursar's role is to work with the Master and Senior Leadership Team in developing and realising the strategic development strategy objectives of the Hall. They will be expected to participate in relevant Hall Committees, and the relevant committees and networks of the University of Oxford.
The Bursar will have line management responsibility for the following staff members: Accountant and Admissions Manager, Chef Manager, Conference and Events Manager and Buildings Manager. The Bursar will also be the principal liaison officer for the Hall with a range of external specialist contractors.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Finance and Administration
- To assist the Master and Trustees (and any future Governing Body) to determine the financial policies of the Hall, advise on their implications, and implement decisions;
- To oversee the preparation of the annual accounts (including a narrative) for consolidation into the TRCP (Trustees for Roman Catholic Purposes) statutory accounts and the audit thereof;
- To assist in the production of the five-year strategic financial plan;
- To produce the Financial Overview of the Hall for the Annual Report to the University (PPH Supervisory Committee);
- To ensure accurate accounting records and timely completion of management accounts and other returns, prompt payment of creditors, diligent pursuit of debtors, the maintenance of adequate insurance cover and appropriate banking and cash management arrangements;
- To oversee the annual review of the Hall risk register;
- To conduct an annual pay review and submit recommendations to the Master;
- To liaise with delegated-authority budget holders to prepare annual budgets, set prices for revenue generation, control expenditure and report on performance against budget including the explanation of any major variances;
- To be responsible for the contractual and legal aspects of employment of all Hall employees ensuring that Hall employment policies are implemented, that employees have appropriate contracts and pension arrangements, and that accurate records are kept;
- To oversee the implementation of HR policies applicable to employed staff, including liaison with the Province Finance Office for payroll purposes, and overseeing Visa requirements (in liaison with the University Visa Office as appropriate);
- To ensure that the operational aspects of the Hall’s Conferences and Events run smoothly;
- To ensure compliance with all relevant Government legislation and regulations and serve as the Hall's Data Protection Officer, Information Officer, Health and Safety Officer and principal contact for Freedom of Information requests.
Domestic management
- To assist the Master in the determination of the domestic policies of the Hall, advise on their implications, and implement decisions along with other members of the Senior Leadership Team;
- To ensure that Hall buildings and facilities are kept secure and in a satisfactory state of repair in compliance with all relevant legislation including those commensurate with a Grade II listed building;
- To oversee long-term and annual maintenance and replacement programmes for the Hall building, furnishings and equipment together with contracts with third parties for major repair and new building programmes and to oversee the implementation of all such programmes having due regard to planning issues;
- To oversee the management of Norfolk House, TRCP’s Oxford investment property, including liaison with agents for tenancy renewals and for ensuing the building is also kept in a satisfactory stare of repair and in compliance with all relevant legislation;
- To oversee the work of the IT contract (currently with Pembroke College) to ensure the provision of adequate, reliable, and cost-effective information systems.
Academic Support
To work closely with the Master and Senior Tutor to ensure that the academic objectives of the Hall are met.
Fundraising
To assist the Master, Trustees, Governing Body, Senior Leadership Team, and Senior Development Manager in pursuing fundraising activities, including potential major gifts.
External Business
- To keep abreast of Government, University, Conference of Colleges and other relevant initiatives, which may have financial implications for the Hall, and advise the Master and Trustees accordingly;
- To represent the Hall on the appropriate inter-Collegiate bodies.
PERSON SPECIFICATION/SKILLS REQUIRED
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Proven data analysis, planning and organisational skills
- Proven leadership qualities with the ability to provide direction
- Collaborative style of working with colleagues - suitable for a collegial context
- Experience of relevant strategic and operational management
- Demonstrable customer service skills and the understanding of what is required from a customer facing team
- High level of IT skills, both software (e.g. MS Office, Teams, SharePoint) and hardware (e.g. facilitating hybrid conferencing)
- Experience of personnel management, including recruitment and selection of staff, retention, performance management and staff development
- Experience in developing, managing, and controlling organisation-wide budgets in collaboration with colleagues
- Understanding of the Collegiate University
- Sympathy with the aims, objectives and academic values of an Oxford Permanent Private Hall
Desirable
- Experience of working in the Collegiate University
- Experience of premises maintenance management
- Experience in the hospitality sector
- Training in various compliance areas, e.g., fire safety, food safety, IOSH or similar
- CCAB qualified accountant
APPOINTMENT PROCESS
- The applicant should submit a letter explaining what qualifications and experience they have for the post as described in this document, including a list of two potential referees with their addresses, emails and other contact details. The applicant should also submit a full curriculum vitae showing relevant experience and qualifications.
- Those short-listed for the post will be invited to First Round interviews at Campion Hall, Oxford, on either 6 or 8 June with Second Round interviews scheduled for 15th June.
- The appointment will be made subject to proof of right to work in the UK and satisfactory references which will include one from the applicant’s present employer.
All applications should be sent to: [email protected]
SELECTED BENEFITS
Pension rights:
Pension contributions to the defined contribution TRCP Pension Scheme (Jesuits in Britain). Employer Contribution 5% of gross pay.
Meals:
Free lunch is provided in Hall when on duty and when the kitchen is open.
Annual leave
entitlement:
The post-holder will be entitled to 25 days’ paid leave plus 8 days Bank Holidays in each year. The two May bank holidays may be worked because they fall in Trinity Term; a day in lieu outside of term time would then be granted for each taken. Holiday is not normally permitted during term time, though may be taken with prior agreement of the Master under special circumstances.
Notice period:
During the initial probationary period, notice will be a fortnight on either side. Subsequent to satisfactory review and confirmation in the post, the notice period will be three months on either side.
All staff at Campion Hall are employed by the Jesuits in Britain under its legal name the Society of Jesus Trust registered charity numbers 230165 /SC040490.
OTHER INFORMATION
This is a Hall vacancy, and the University Terms and Conditions found elsewhere do not apply. Campion Hall is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Conduct against fellow employees and College members which is offensive, or detrimental to them on grounds of age, colour, disability, ethnic origin, marital status, nationality, national origin, parental status, race, religion or belief, gender, or sexual orientation will not be tolerated.
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: £65,000.00-£70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Free parking
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 26/05/2023
Expected start date: 21/08/2023
