Director of Finance, Office of Research and Creative Scholarship

Salary: $100,000.00 Annually
Location : Missoula Mountain Campus
Job Type: Contract Professional Full-time
Job Number:
Department: Research Administration, University of Montana
Opening Date: 10/23/2026
Closing Date: 11/29/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Exempt

Description
UM's Office of Research and Creative Scholarship (ORCS) invites applications for the Director of Finance. As the Director, you will oversee fiscal management concerning ORCS. You will provide fiscal leadership, budget development and management, operation coordination, and decision making of budgetary and financial services. This position holds significant responsibility for formulating and administering financial functions with a very high degree of autonomy. The Director helps drive business decisions made by senior leadership regarding the financial health of the organization and reports to the Vice President of Research & Creative Scholarship.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop financial reports, reconcile data, and prepare departmental, labor, and ad hoc reports.
• Lead annual budget development and assist departments with budget preparation and input.
• Prepare financial projections, monitor expenditures and variances, and advise the Vice President on financial planning and solutions.
• Oversee research start-up funds, grant payments, purchasing, payroll, and LAR billing in accordance with University policies.
• Manage ORCS human resources functions, including recruitment, hiring, onboarding, offboarding, employee reviews, and professional development.
• Coordinate funding, allocations, and operational needs with affiliated centers and University departments.
• Advise the research community on financial and administrative matters, including issues outside the Office of Sponsored Programs.
• Hire, supervise, and manage staff and student employees in accordance with University policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of relevant experience.
• Advanced knowledge of financial planning, forecasting, budgeting, reconciliation, accounting principles, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Experience with grant and fund accounting, fiscal management, budget processes, and financial software.
• Experience in human resources, staff supervision, and project leadership.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise discretion, and demonstrate sound judgment.
• Proficiency in using software to access, analyze, synthesize, and report data.
• Strong quantitative, analytical, problem-solving, and financial presentation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, navigate stressful situations, and maintain professionalism.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field, with relevant accounting coursework and experience in financial management.
• Experience developing financial reports and projections to support fiscal planning.
• Knowledge of University policies and procedures related to budgeting, accounting, procurement, recruitment, and employee retention.
• Experience with University financial and administrative systems, including Ellucian Banner ERP, Argos, Axiom, Jaggaer, Tableau, and Emburse.
• Knowledge of University travel, contracting, purchasing, and capital equipment policies and procedures.

Additional Information
Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, MUS Contract and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Screening of applications will begin after the closing date; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established. Complete applications received by the closing date will be guaranteed consideration.

To apply, please upload the following materials:

• Letter of Interest - addressing the stated required skills for the position
• Detailed resume listing education and describing work experience
• Three (3) professional references - Names and contact information