Deputy Bursar (Finance and Investments)

Location: Oxford 

Contract: Full Time (36.5 hours per week) 

Term: Contract, minimum five years

A pivotal leadership opportunity at a defining moment in the College’s history

The College is embarking on an ambitious and carefully considered estates transformation programme that will shape its physical environment, financial sustainability and academic mission for generations to come. This is a rare opportunity to join at a genuinely pivotal moment — to help steward significant financial resources, guide major capital decisions, and contribute to the long-term future of a distinguished Oxford College.

We are seeking an exceptional Deputy Bursar (Finance and Investments) to provide senior strategic financial leadership and to support the Bursar in ensuring the College’s enduring financial strength and resilience.

The Role

Reporting to the Bursar, the Deputy Bursar will take particular responsibility for the stewardship and strategic management of the College’s investments, endowment, reserves and long-term financial resources.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading advanced financial modelling, forecasting and scenario analysis to inform strategic and estates decisions
• Supporting the governance, performance monitoring and asset allocation of the College’s investment portfolio
• Providing strategic oversight of treasury, liquidity and borrowing arrangements, particularly in relation to major estates and capital projects
• Supporting business case development, capital appraisal and financial due diligence
• Contributing to risk management and financial resilience, including reporting to the Finance and Resources Committee
• Acting as a trusted financial adviser to Fellows, senior staff and College committees

The role combines technical expertise with strategic judgement and offers the opportunity to influence decisions of lasting institutional significance.

About You

You will be a fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with substantial senior-level experience in financial management, investment oversight or treasury (at least five years post-qualification experience).

You will bring:

• Advanced financial modelling and long-term forecasting expertise
• Strong understanding of investment governance and risk management
• Experience advising trustees, committees or governing bodies
• The confidence and credibility to engage effectively with academic and non-financial stakeholders
• A collaborative, pragmatic and solutions-focused approach

Experience within higher education or the not-for-profit sector, particularly in relation to endowments or investment portfolios, would be advantageous but is not essential.

Contract Term

The appointment will be made on a minimum five-year fixed-term contract. The fixed term reflects the current strategic phase of the College’s development, including the delivery of its estates transformation programme and long-term financial strategy. The College anticipates that this will be a significant and impactful period for the role, and a review will be undertaken prior to the end of the five-year term to consider the ongoing needs of the College and the future evolution of the post.

How to Apply

Please apply via our website via the 'Apply' button above.

Alternatively, you can submit your CV and a supporting cover letter explaining how you meet the selection criteria to:

vacancies@mansfield.ox.ac.uk

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