Job Vacancies:

 
 
Ripon College Cuddesdon
 
Job Description
 
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
 
Ripon College Cuddesdon is a theological college that prepares men and women for ordination in the Church of England. Founded in 1854 by Bishop Samuel Wilberforce, the College enjoys a close relationship with the University of Oxford and with Oxford Brookes University. The College currently has around 65 residential and 55 non-residential (Oxford Ministry Course) ordinands in training. The College also has a further 50 independent and continuing students. The College also welcomes a small number of international students each year.  At present the College employs approximately 43 full-time and part-time staff.
 
The College has grown rapidly over the last six years and now consists of:
 
  • A residential College community for training clergy
  • A non-residential Course for training clergy
  • A Centre of Research, Consultancy & Development for the Church
  • A Religious Community – Sisters – shortly to move on site.
 
The Director of Finance will work alongside the Bursar, and with other colleagues, to help oversee and lead on financial matters. Duties will consist of having primary responsibility for the financial well-being of the College. S/he will report to Principal, and have a close relationship to the Finance Committee. They will be required to participate in:
 
·                     Strategic planning for College, with emphasis on financial position
·                     Finance Committee
·                     Executive Committee of College
·                     Governing Body – with production of relevant reports as needed
 
The applicant will be:
  • Capable of administering the College's finance function under the direction of the Principal and the Finance Committee.
  • Charged with preparation of the College's Annual Report and liaise with the College's auditors prior to the adoption of the Report by the Board of Governors.
  • Fully conversant with Sage Accounting and Payroll packages and Microsoft Excel software as well as Microsoft Office software since he or she is unlikely to be given significant secretarial support.
 
Duties include:
 
·                     annual report and accounts;
·                     regular monthly management accounts as required
·                     budgets and forecasts for review at quarterly Finance Committee meetings
 
 
They will have responsibility for all disbursements, wages, expenses, capital costs etc, subject to existing protocols.  And for implementing periodic reviews of procurement and disbursement protocols. They will have responsibility for the oversight and management of College debt and related issues, including our overdraft facility, mortgage facility and the forward exchange swaps/options.  They will be assisted in these tasks by two part-time finance assistants.
 
They will have oversight of the College’s investment strategy and performance of investment advisers. They will provide appropriate support for the College and Principal in preparing financial case for the Ministry Division of the Church of England, preparation of related materials and relevant negotiations as required. They will have responsibility for the Cuddesdon Trust – with the same duties as for College (mainly accounts, investments, disbursements). They will manage the current finance team, and also liaise with the:
 
·                     Bursarial staff, in relation to properties, repairs, maintenance, health, safety, catering, etc.
·                     Development Team and Appeal Committee; provision of relevant support as required.
·                     Conference team; provision of relevant support as required.
·                     Sisters and their Bursar; ensure smooth transition to Cuddesdon site.
 
Qualifications:
 
·                     Must be in full sympathy with the ethos of the College, its main business, aims and aspirations.
·                     Will have had previous relevant experience as CFO or similar.
·                     Accountancy qualifications and thorough knowledge of Sage.
·                     Complete proficiency in financial modelling is essential.
·                     Be able to work as part of a team and relate easily to other members of staff, academic, pastoral, domestic and administrative. The College places particular emphasis upon the need to develop and maintain good working relationships with its partners, including Oxford University, Oxford Brookes University, the Ministry Division of the Church of England, the diocese of Oxford and other agencies with whom it may collaborate on financial or educational projects.
Hours of Work: Employment is for 35 hours (flexible) per week and the normal working hours are 9.00am -5.00pm Monday to Friday.
Remuneration: This position is a permanent position, subject to the satisfactory completion of a 6-month probationary period. The salary will be negotiable (depending on experience). In addition, the College will contribute an amount equal to 7% of salary to a Church of England Pension Board defined contributions pension scheme. The Director of Finance is entitled to free meals during working hours, except when the kitchen is closed.
Holidays: 30 days per year, in addition to public holidays that fall out of term-time. 
·        Ripon College Cuddesdon is a non-smoking environment.
·     The job description is correct as at 1st August 2010. It will, however, be discussed between the post-holder and the Principal, and may be amended from time-to-time, after consultation, to reflect developments in or to the job.
·     Persons wishing to have informal discussions of the position are welcome to contact the Principal, The Revd. Canon Professor Martyn Percy.
·     Applicants should write to The College Administrator, Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford, OX44 9EX. Applicants should send a full CV, and also arrange for three letters of reference to be sent to the College Administrator. Please note that we are unable to accept references or applications by e-mail.