Department OverviewThe Research Finance Director leads the School of Medicine's centralized Research Finance Hub and serves as the senior leader for research financial management services supporting departments across the School of Medicine research enterprise.
The position provides leadership for a shared-services organization delivering post-award financial management, sponsored portfolio support, and research finance services. As the primary research finance partner to Financial Management Hubs, the Director helps ensure research-related financial activities are effectively incorporated into departmental planning, resource management, and decision-making.
The Director collaborates with faculty, principal investigators, department leaders, Financial Management Hubs, and institutional stakeholders to support financial stewardship, research growth, and achievement of School of Medicine objectives.
Function/Duties of PositionStrategic Leadership and Research Finance Hub Development- Lead the School of Medicine Research Finance Hub and establish the vision, operating model, and service priorities for the organization.
- Guide the development and evolution of a scalable shared-services model that supports the changing needs of the research enterprise.
- Define performance expectations and service standards that promote operational excellence and stakeholder satisfaction.
- Evaluate operational effectiveness and implement improvements that enhance quality, efficiency, and customer experience.
- Develop workforce and resource strategies that support organizational growth and service delivery needs.
- Recommend operational priorities and resource investments that support organizational objectives and long-term success.
Research Portfolio Management and Financial Stewardship- Provide oversight of research financial management activities supporting sponsored projects, contracts, and other externally funded programs.
- Maintain a financial and compliance framework that supports effective management of sponsored funding across supported departments.
- Evaluate portfolio performance, funding trends, resource utilization, and financial risk.
- Advise on complex financial, compliance, and operational issues impacting sponsored research activity.
- Promote the use of analytics, forecasting, and performance measures to support planning and decision-making.
- Support effective stewardship of sponsored funding through sound financial management and compliance practices.
Strategic Partnership and Integrated Financial Planning- Serve as the senior research finance advisor to Financial Management Hubs, department leadership, faculty, and institutional stakeholders.
- Partner with Financial Management Hubs to incorporate sponsored funding considerations into departmental planning, forecasting, and resource allocation discussions.
- Advise leadership regarding research portfolio performance, funding trends, financial risks, and resource requirements.
- Support decision-making related to faculty recruitment, research growth, program expansion, and strategic investments.
- Contribute to long-range planning through analysis of future commitments, funding patterns, and organizational needs.
People Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness- Lead workforce planning, talent development, employee engagement, and performance management activities.
- Build a collaborative and high-performing culture that promotes accountability, innovation, and service excellence.
- Support professional growth and succession planning to meet future organizational needs.
- Ensure effective utilization of staff resources and compliance with institutional policies and labor agreements.
Institutional Collaboration and Service Excellence- Represent the Research Finance Hub on School of Medicine and institutional committees, initiatives, and workgroups.
- Develop partnerships across departments, Financial Management Hubs, and administrative units to advance operational effectiveness.
- Support initiatives related to research administration, financial management, compliance, and service delivery improvement.
- Promote best practices in research financial management and shared-services operations.
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Research Administration, or a related field.
- 8 years of experience supporting complex sponsored research portfolios, academic medical center finance, or related field, with at least 4 years of progressively responsible leadership experience.
- Advanced knowledge of research financial management, sponsored programs administration, and post-award operations.
- Knowledge of federal regulations, Uniform Guidance, sponsor requirements, and research compliance standards.
- Knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, analytics, and strategic financial planning.
- Ability to lead organizational change, operational improvement, and shared-services delivery models.
- Ability to build collaborative partnerships and influence decision-making in a complex matrixed environment.
- Strong leadership, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to translate complex financial information into actionable recommendations for diverse stakeholders.
- Commitment to customer service, continuous improvement, and stewardship of institutional resources.
Preferred Qualifications- Advanced degree preferred (e.g. MBA, MRA, MHA)
- Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or equivalent professional certification.
- Experience within an academic health center, research-intensive university, or complex healthcare environment.
- Experience leading shared-services organizations, centralized service models, or finance operations.
Additional DetailsWork is performed in a remote or hybrid work environment with extensive use of computers, technology, and standard office equipment. Frequent interaction with faculty, principal investigators, administrators, finance leaders, and institutional stakeholders occurs through virtual meetings.
Periodic on-site attendance may be required to support meetings, leadership activities, training, and organizational initiatives. The position requires sustained analytical work, strategic planning, problem-solving, and collaboration across multiple departments and administrative units.
