Financial Controller

International Fellowship of Evangelical Students; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid working

Life Insurance

Generous annual leave

Job summary

International Fellowship of Evangelical Students in Oxford is seeking an experienced finance professional to provide strong leadership across our financial operations within a robust control environment. The role requires a fully qualified accountant with charity finance expertise, capable of guiding budgeting, reporting, audits and financial systems across a global ministry.

The successful candidate will lead teams, balance strategic oversight with attention to detail, and communicate clearly

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant or equivalent.
• Experience with charity finance and internal controls.
• Experience overseeing transactional finance, budgeting, reporting and audits.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership across financial operations and maintain a robust control environment.
• Oversee transactional finance processes, manage budgets and produce financial reports.
• Lead audits and support strategic decision-making across the organisation.
• Communicate financial matters clearly to finance and non-finance colleagues.

Skills

Financial leadership

Accounting

Internal controls

Auditing

People management

Education

Chartered Accountant (CA)

Tools

ERP systems

Financial reporting software

Job description

Do you want to use your expertise in Finance to serve God? Are you passionate about students around the world encountering Jesus? Then, join us! Use your Finance skills to build strong teams that provide fruitful ministry around the world.

We are a movement of students sharing and living out the good news of Jesus Christ. Locally. Nationally. Globally. IFES ministry is supported behind the scenes by International Services based in Asia, the UK, and the USA. IFES supports and connects students living out the gospel as witnesses in the university in more than 180 countries worldwide. At the heart of everything we do is the desire to see students thriving as communities of disciples, transformed by the gospel and impacting the university, the church and society for the glory of Christ.

You can watch this short video to find out more about us.

WOULD YOU JOIN US?

To assist in this work, we are looking for an experienced and qualified finance professional who can provide strong leadership across our financial operations while maintaining a robust control environment. As a key member of the Finance team, you'll combine technical accounting expertise with excellent people management skills, ensuring accurate and efficient financial processes that support effective decision-making across the organisation.

You'll be a fully qualified accountant (or have equivalent experience) with a strong understanding of charity finance, financial reporting requirements, and internal controls. Comfortable working with financial systems and data, you'll have experience overseeing transactional finance processes, managing budgets, producing financial reports, and leading audits.

As a global Christian ministry, we particularly value candidates who thrive in multicultural environments, demonstrate humility and integrity in their work, and are motivated to use their professional skills in service of our mission and values.

CONTRACT: Permanent

LOCATION: Oxford/Hybrid(60% office based)

PENSION: Flexible and hybrid working options; 10% employer pension contribution; Life Insurance; generous Annual Leave allowance

COULD THIS BE YOU?

The successful candidate will be proactive, organised and solutions-focused, with the ability to identify improvements and implement change. You'll be an effective communicator who can build strong relationships across a diverse international organisation, explaining financial matters clearly to both finance and non-finance colleagues. Experience managing and developing staff is essential, as is the ability to balance attention to detail with a strategic understanding of the bigger picture.

We’re searching for someone with a positive experience of working in a team, as well as the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines.

If you recognise the importance of evangelical student ministry, are confident in your ability to work in a multi-cultural setting and are looking for a fulfilling role in a forward-thinking team, we would love to hear from you.

You can find out more information about the job in this Role Profile (right-click to open in a new tab). You can also find our Doctrinal Basis here (right-click to open in a new tab). You can read our Job Applicant Privacy Notice here (right-click to open in a new tab).

We recognise that applying for a new role is an important decision. If you would like to learn more about the position, ask any questions, or arrange an informal conversation with the Hiring Manager before submitting your application, please contact us at [e-mail]

IFES is committed to providing equal opportunities and recruiting and developing a diverse workforce, so we encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.

If you have any questions, please do get in touch at [e-mail]

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5.00pm, Friday 11 September

• 1st Round Interviews: Online interviews will be held during the week of 21-25 September 2026.
• 2nd Round Interviews: In-person interviews will be held in Oxford during the week of 28 September-2 October 2026.

Our primary calling is to pioneer and nurture anationally ledstudent witness in every country of the world. The work of International Services is to support this frontline ministry.

IFES is an organisation with a distinctive Christian ethos. This post is subject to an Occupational Requirement under provisions made in the Equality Act 2010. Applicants should therefore demonstrate a firm Christian commitment and agree with the IFES doctrinal basis and ethos statement.

This job will not qualify for a Certificate of Sponsorship, so you will have to prove you have the right to work in the UK before we would consider your application.