Founded in 1929 as St Peter’s Hall, a Permanent Private Hall of the University of Oxford, St Peter's became a full college of the University in 1961. It is known for its friendly, informal and supportive culture and is one of the 39 self-governing and independent colleges of the University of Oxford. The College has a vibrant and dynamic academic community and provides a friendly and supportive environment for students and staff. It currently has around 375 undergraduates, 270 graduate students and 100 Fellows and Lecturers actively engaged in teaching and research, and around 80 members of administrative and domestic staff.

St Peter's is located in the centre of Oxford, a mixture of buildings modern and ancient. The College is in the latter stages of an extensive building programme to expand the amount of onsite student accommodation on offer.

As it looks ahead, the College will be focussed on improving its financial position as it comes out of the pandemic through investment income, gifts and conferences and ensuring it is making the most out of its resources. It's an exciting time for the College with a centenary in 2029, a major capital project coming to an end in the autumn and potential further expansion on the horizon. 

St Peter's is looking to recruit an external member of its Audit, Risk and Remuneration Committee. The successful candidate will provide an independent perspective as a member of the Committee and work with other members of the Committee in carrying out their duties.

Main duties of the Audit, Risk and Remuneration Committee

• Oversee and provide assurances on the College’s policies, procedures and systems for the identification and reduction of risk, including the proper use of resources (including public funds)
• Review the Annual Report and Accounts, and recommend them to the Governing Body. Also to consider the auditors’ management report and whether remedial action needs to be taken
• Assess whether the external audit is efficient and effective
• Undertake an annual review of salaries and allowances not set by external bodies, and make recommendations to the Governing Body
• Undertake, commission or take part in specific reviews, either as requested by the Governing Body or as it sees fit

St Peter's is looking for a new Member of its Audit, Risk and Remuneration Committee who will provide scrutiny, helping to ensure the College's financial sustainability for the future and mitigating financial and reputational risk. They will be collaborative, have strong communication skills and be collegial.

The successful candidate will be a senior leader: possibly a Finance Director / CFO or Audit Partner, perhaps bringing a professional accounting qualification. Though experience in corporate governance and risk standards could come from a range of sectors, having some exposure to the charitable and education sectors would be desirable. In addition, having experience in estates / property development or construction and / or HR (Employee and Remuneration issues, for example) would be beneficial but is by no means essential.

Above all, candidates will have a strong interest and commitment to higher education and an understanding of the values, ethos and traditions of a collegiate university and of a forward-thinking College within that tradition.

The Audit, Risk & Remuneration Committee consists of three external members, one of whom is the Chair, and two internal members who are members of the Governing Body. The Master, Bursar and College Accountant are in attendance.

The external and internal members are:

Professor Robert Burrell
Professor Chris Foot
Clare Jarvis
Peter Zakierski
Kersty Beaumont (Chair, departing spring 2023)

The time commitment for the role is three meetings per year of c.2.5 hours on Wednesday mornings (normally starting around 9.30am). The meetings are held in person in Oxford and dates are provided a year in advance. Candidates could be expected to attend one to two additional video meetings throughout the year and to provide advice on an ad hoc basis. This is a pro bono position and is therefore unpaid. Travel costs to attend meetings in Oxford will be reimbursed. The term is for four years, with a maximum of two terms. Towards the end of the first four-year term Members may put themselves forward for re-election by the Committee, which is then ratified by the Governing Body.

Location: Candidates will need to be able to travel to meetings in Oxford on Wednesday mornings and therefore should be within commuting distance of Oxford.

UK - South East (Oxford)