Job Description

Domestic Bursar (Operations Director)

Salary: 78,000 to 84,000

Location:

Cambridge, St Edmunds College

Contract type:

Permanent, full time 36.5 hours per week

Are you an experienced Operations Director seeking a fresh challenge? Or perhaps you work within Higher Education and bring exceptional project and people management expertise?

If so St Edmund's College is seeking to appoint a Domestic Bursar, a pivotal role which demands outstanding leadership and organisational skills, alongside a deep appreciation for the academic ethos and traditions that define collegiate life in Cambridge. The successful candidate will demonstrate proven excellence in project and people management, as well as robust financial acumen to ensure the smooth and strategic running of the College's operational services.

St Edmund's College is unique, as is the wider University of Cambridge. We're looking for a results-driven individual who can thrive in this unique environment someone who adapts fluidly to diverse people and evolving requirements, yet has the confidence and judgement to set boundaries and make firm decisions when needed.

Due to the nature of the role some evening and weekend work is required.

Key duties & responsibilities

Leadership & Financial Management

Provide effective leadership and management to ensure that the operational departments (Accommodation, Housekeeping, Maintenance, Catering, Porters' Lodge, Conference & Events and IT) work as a cohesive team and collaborate with other College teams, providing the best possible support for the core activities of the College.

For all areas under the role's line management ensure a culture of efficiency, effectiveness, innovation and meeting best practice.

Work with the Bursar and HR Manager on staffing and remuneration levels in the departments that directly report to the Domestic Bursar.

Prepare the annual budgets for departments under its supervision and in liaison with departmental heads, with the assistance of the College Accountant. Ensuring that accurate and timely financial information is delivered to the Finance Office.

Ensure robust procurement and tendering processes are undertaken as required, ensuring contracts, SLAs, pricing/margins and spending levels as appropriate.

Prepare and submit business cases for high expenditure projects.

Managing and supporting the heads of the operational departments as previously mentioned, including monitoring performance; setting objectives and goals; ensuring that College staff are appropriately trained for their roles; and doing so within the College's framework of appraisal, performance management and professional development.

Establish and maintain strong and collaborative relationships with fellows, students, staff, alumni and visitors to the College.

Estates & Facilities

Oversee proactively the maintenance and management of the College estate, including working closely with the Estates Committee and the Head of Facilities & Accommodation in implementing the preventive maintenance plan for the improvement and regular maintenance of the College fabric.

Lead delivery of new estates projects and support the Bursar in developing future estates plans to meet the College's ambitions, taking responsibility for the management and monitoring of major building and refurbishment projects.

Lead the accommodation strategy and delivery of accommodation provision to students and fellows working closely with the Director of Education, Head of Admissions and Rooms Tutor balancing student needs with financial efficiency. Ensuring at all times the highest quality service is provided.

Through the Head of Facilities & Accommodation lead the housekeeping and gardening staff to deliver a high-quality service at all times.

Porters Lodge

With the Head Porter ensure all portering staff deliver a high-quality member focused service.

Oversee the Head Porter and the operations of the lodge and ensure they offer effective security and a responsive first point of emergency contact.

Conference & Events

Provide thought-leadership to the College's conferencing strategy to align it with wider College purposes and needs.

Support the Conference & Events Manager in developing the College's activities and profitability in external business.

Ensure that student events and facilities are operated within all relevant legislative and regulatory requirements, including operation of the JCR bar.

Catering

Manage the outsourced catering provider to ensure they provide a consistent, high-quality service at external events and on all College occasions both feasts/special dinners as well as day-to-day service for Fellows, staff and students, working with Officers and student representatives to understand and respond appropriately to their needs.

IT Provision

Working closely with the IT Manager oversee the provision of information technology that meets the needs of the College.

Create an IT development plan that ensure the College is making best use of IT to aid its efficiency.

Compliance, Regulations & ad-hoc duties

Assuming overall responsibility for, and ensuring compliance with, all relevant regulations and legislation including ANUK regulations and applicable fire, health and safety (including public health), and licensing legislation; working with the HR Manager to ensure compliance with relevant employment legislation; and to keep up-to-date with new legislation/regulations relevant to the College; have a clear understanding of the relevant guidance and how most appropriately to respond to it within different organisational contexts.

Develop and deliver a robust and responsive approach to monitor, manage and mitigate all risks of the operational elements of the College within the scope of the role.

Working closely with the Governance Risk and Compliance manager be responsible for ensuring the College complies with all legislation relevant to the domestic departments; and in particular be the lead in College on regulatory compliance as required.

Person Specifications

Experience

Significant people management experience, a flexible approach to people management in order to achieve the best outcomes.

Experience of managing operational risks in a regulated environment

Experience of hospitality and events management (desirable)

Experience working within Higher Education (desirable)

Skills

Excellent leadership skills and used to working at pace and seeing the bigger picture, bringing innovation and creativity as well as experience to problem solving

Strong project management and organisational skills, well organised, methodical and thorough

Strong financial acumen and entrepreneurialism, experience of managing complex budgets

Ability to cope well with a varied workload and to change priorities in response to demand

Outstanding communication skills, written and verbal. Able to produce management reports as well as marketing material

Excellent interpersonal skills including high emotional intelligence including the ability to adapt own communication style to meet the needs of all stakeholders

Ability to motivate others and build teams addressing process issues where relevant, as well as people's skills and knowledge

Flexibility to adjust to change and development of the College and the role

Excellent IT skills, including MS Office packages

As well as a great salary and friendly team you will also receive:

Working daily allowance for food and drinks
Free car parking (where available) 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (increasing with length of service) Generous pension contributions Discounts at restaurants, shops & more Outdoor gym Death in service Access to LinkedIn Learning & Business Disability Forum

How to apply

To apply, please submit a covering letter and CV to the HR Team at: hr@st-edmunds.cam.ac.uk.

To discuss any aspect of the role, please contact Mr Graham Watson, the Bursar, at bursar@st-edmunds.cam.ac.uk.

The deadline for applications is 09:00GMT on Monday 3 November 2025.

First round interviews are expected to be held on Wednesday 12 November & Thursday 13 November 2025.

Final round interviews will take place on Tuesday, 25 November 2025. This date is fixed and cannot be rescheduled, so applicants must ensure they are available to attend.

In applying for this role, you will provide personal data which the College will process in accordance with its data protection obligations and its Data Protection Policy: http://www.stedmunds.cam.ac.uk/data-protection

Any offer of employment is subject to evidence of your right to work in the UK and the receipt of satisfactory references

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 48,000.00-54,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Canteen Company pension Discounted or free food Free parking On-site parking Sick pay
Work Location: In person