St Peter’s College is one of thirty-nine self-governing, independent colleges in the University of Oxford. St Peter’s was founded in 1929. Part of its founding mission was to help widen access to the University of Oxford. It was granted full collegiate status in 1961 and it first admitted women as students of the College in 1979. It is therefore currently approaching the centenary of its founding and the 50-year anniversary of going co-ed. As a registered charity, its regulator is the Charity Commission.
The College community is comprised of the Master, c.70 Fellows and academic tutors across subjects, c.95 members of administrative and domestic staff, c.600 students (350 undergraduate students; 250 postgraduate students) and c.25 Visiting Students. It offers an informal and supportive working environment.
It is an open, tolerant and creative academic community with a reputation for friendliness, informality, inclusiveness and scholarly excellence. Academics and students from many different backgrounds and countries mix comfortably across many different aspects of College life and work.
St Peter’s College is located in the centre of Oxford. Its estate is an attractive mix of old and new buildings from across periods. The College has just completed a major building project, delivering a new quad with two new student accommodation buildings, a new courtyard and a new entrance to College. As its centenary approaches in 2029, now is a really exciting time to be joining.
Further information about the College’s life may be found here: www.spc.ox.ac.uk
Role specification:
St Peter’s is looking to recruit an external Chair to its Audit, Risk and Remuneration Committee (ARRCo). The successful candidate will provide an independent perspective as the Chair of the Committee and guide other members of the Committee in carrying out their duties. The Committee is tasked with scrutinising, advising and assuring the work of the College in a range of areas, while setting the parameters for responsible operating in others. The Committee and its Chair operate as critical friends to the senior leadership of the College.
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
Person specification:
St Peter’s is looking for a new Chair 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. They will be strategic in their approach, have a big picture mindset and challenge in a constructive manner.
The successful candidate will demonstrate a solid track record in risk mitigation. Though experience in corporate governance and risk standards could come from a range of sectors, having some exposure to the charitable or education sectors would be desirable. In addition, having experience in estates / property development / construction 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. St Peter’s is an equal opportunities employer that welcomes applications from candidates from all backgrounds.
To apply for this position, please contact:
Brigitte Stundner
St Peter’s College, Oxford is partnering with Nurole, the leading board-level search specialist, to find a new Chair of Audit, Risk and Remuneration Committee. You can find out more and apply here https://app.nurole.com/roles/6733598fb799d3001aa422ab To arrange an informal conversation or in case of any other queries, please contact Brigitte.Stundner@nurole.com.
