Strengthening financial controls and protecting the University of Oxford from fraud are critical to our ability to manage risk responsibly. This influential role combines financial assurance with a University-wide counter fraud remit, giving you the scope to shape how risks are identified, managed and designed out. If this opportunity aligns with your skills and aspirations, we invite you to apply for the Financial Assurance and Compliance Manager position within the Finance Division at the University of Oxford, and make an impact across one of the world's leading universities.
Location: Great Clarendon Street, Oxford, with hybrid working
Salary: £56,623 - £65,336 per annum
Contract: Full Time, Permanent
About Us
Spanning the historic streets of the “city of dreaming spires”, the University of Oxford has been ranked the world's leading university for ten consecutive years. A place where centuries of tradition meet world-changing innovation, we offer you the chance to shape the future while working in an inspiring environment that promotes excellence. Here, you’ll contribute to an organisation which delivers ground-breaking research that tackles global challenges - from advancing sustainability to pioneering healthcare solutions - and join a diverse, inclusive community that champions your wellbeing, development, and aspirations. Apply now to become part of our extraordinary legacy.
The Finance Division enables the University’s research and education through effective financial strategy, strong financial management and trusted professional services. Working across a large and highly devolved institution, we help departments manage resources responsibly, strengthen financial controls and protect the University’s long-term financial sustainability.
What We Offer
Working at the University of Oxford offers several exclusive benefits, such as:
- 38 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) to support your wellbeing, with the option to purchase up to 10 extra days and additional leave after long service.
- One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay maternity and adoption leave, plus 12 weeks of full-pay paternity/partner leave.
- A commitment to hybrid and flexible working to suit your lifestyle.
- An excellent contributory pension scheme.
- Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans.
- Access to a vibrant community through our social, cultural, and sports clubs.
About the Role
This is a broad University-wide role spanning financial assurance and counter fraud, with the opportunity to influence controls and risk management across a complex and highly devolved organisation. Counter fraud will be an important priority, while you will also shape the University’s developing second-line financial assurance programme and its longer-term approach to controls.
This is not a traditional Internal Audit role. Your impact will come through influence rather than formal authority: building credibility with departments, understanding the risks behind complex issues and helping colleagues find proportionate solutions. Alongside strengthening fraud prevention and detection, you will identify where individual issues point to wider weaknesses and use assurance, data and insight to improve controls, systems and processes.
You will lead and develop a maturing Financial Assurance and Compliance team and work with senior stakeholders across Finance and the wider University. The scope is significant: from developing the University’s counter fraud and corruption strategy and advising on complex or sensitive fraud matters, to providing assurance to senior management and the Audit & Scrutiny Committee. It is an opportunity to shape a trusted, influential service with lasting impact across Oxford.
About You
- Degree-level education or equivalent work experience, together with a professional accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA or CIMA, or equivalent work experience.
- Significant experience of second-line assurance, governance, risk management, internal control or audit within a complex organisation.
- Strong understanding of governance, internal control frameworks, financial assurance methodologies and fraud risk management, including relevant standards and good practice.
- Demonstrable practical counter fraud experience, including fraud risk management, risk assessments and approaches to the prevention, detection and response to fraud.
- Practical knowledge and experience of fraud investigations, with the judgement to provide informed advice, support and constructive challenge in complex or sensitive cases.
- A proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and improve controls without relying on formal operational authority.
- Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to distinguish isolated issues from systemic risks and identify practical opportunities for control improvement.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to build trust, explain complex issues clearly and influence people at different levels.
- Strong leadership skills, with experience of developing teams, managing competing priorities and leading change in complex organisational environments.
Application Process
To apply, please upload:
- A covering letter/supporting statement
- Your CV
- The details of two referees
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 8 September.
Interviews will take place on 17 or 18 September, and will be held face-to-face in Oxford.
