Christ Church, Oxford

Founded in 1546, Christ Church is today made up of some 63 members of the Governing Body (the Dean, 5 Cathedral Canons and 57 Students – mostly Tutorial, Research or Professorial Fellows), 43 lecturers who help the tutors with teaching, up to 17 Junior Research Fellows, 420 undergraduates and 200 graduate students. It is a hard-working and co-operative community. Although it is one of the four or five wealthiest Oxford Colleges, its spending on its primary purposes of education, research and the Cathedral, including the maintenance of its many historic buildings, stretches its resources to the limit. It has recently built up a significant development capability and is engaged in a campaign to raise £80 million.

Christ Church seeks an exceptional individual to become the first Chief Financial Officer (CFO), by statute the CFO currently has the working title Treasurer.  The CFO will be a Fellow of Christ Church and a member of the Governing Body.  They will take the lead in the continued development of Christ Church’s financial strategy and the management and care of its assets, in the context of a self-governing intellectual community. This is a pivotal role in the running of Christ Church and is a fantastic opportunity for the successful candidate to become part of life in the Oxford collegiate University.

The successful candidate will have exceptional people management skills, and be capable of building and sustaining high levels of commitment in the team for which they hold responsibility, as well as delivering agile and efficient services for Christ Church. Highly financially literate, working alongside our Chief Investment Officer, you will support Christ Church in defining a sustainable vision for the effective use of our resources and optimal deployment of these over the medium and long term. Along with a broad range of skills, experiences and qualifications, you will be comfortable working within the collegiate environment, developing close effective relationships with colleagues, demonstrating a high level of emotional intelligence, exceptional communication and engagement skills, and leading with kindness and respect.  You will recognise the importance of consensus in decision-making and in engaging the Governing Body in operational matters. You will also have an understanding and broad sympathy with the aims and purposes of Christ Church.

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to Christ Church, 9Oxford on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference FBQFA1. Alternatively telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours). Applications should be received by midday on Friday 11^th April 2025.