Location Address:Summary:Presbyterian Healthcare Services (PHS) seeks a highly collaborative and analytically driven leader to serve as its next Director, Research Finance & Sponsored Programs. This enterprise leadership role sits at the intersection of sponsored funding, financial stewardship, research administration, compliance, and healthcare operations.
As research activity, grant funding, regulatory requirements, and external partnerships continue to grow in complexity, Presbyterian seeks a leader who can ensure the organization maintains the highest standards of financial integrity, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence while supporting innovation and advancing clinical research initiatives.
The Director serves as the enterprise subject matter expert for sponsored awards, research financial administration, research billing compliance, and federal award oversight. This leader works closely with Finance, Research, Compliance, Legal, Operational Leadership, and external funding agencies to ensure all sponsored programs and research activities are administered effectively, compliantly, and in alignment with organizational priorities.
The successful candidate will bring expertise in research administration, healthcare finance, grants management, regulatory compliance, process improvement, and stakeholder engagement while serving as a trusted advisor across multiple business units.
Work Arrangement
• Remote: Open to applicants residing in the United States, excluding Illinois, North Dakota, New York, Ohio, Washington, and Wyoming.
• Hybrid (Strongly Preferred): For candidates residing within 60 miles of Albuquerque, New Mexico, in-office presence is expected Tuesday through Thursday.
Job Description:Key ResponsibilitiesSponsored Programs & Grant Administration- Provide enterprise oversight for all sponsored awards, grants, contracts, and externally funded activities.
- Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and controls supporting compliance with federal, state, sponsor, and organizational requirements.
- Ensure proper financial management, reporting, and stewardship of sponsored funding.
- Monitor compliance with award terms, contractual obligations, and regulatory requirements.
- Ensure accurate accounting and financial reporting for sponsored programs.
Research Finance & Financial Compliance- Oversee accounting structures supporting grants, contracts, and research activities.
- Ensure integrity of financial systems and reporting used for sponsored awards.
- Support organizational compliance with Uniform Guidance and other funding requirements.
- Partner with Finance leadership to ensure accurate reporting and financial stewardship.
- Develop processes that strengthen transparency, accountability, and audit readiness.
Research Administration & Operational Support- Partner with senior leadership to support organizational research strategy and growth initiatives.
- Facilitate operational review and approval processes for new research activities.
- Support coordination with the Institutional Review Board and other governance functions.
- Serve as an enterprise resource regarding research billing, study activation, regulatory requirements, and financial implications of research activities.
- Provide guidance to operational leaders regarding research administration best practices.
Research Billing Compliance- Oversee enterprise research billing compliance activities.
- Maintain and update Research Billing Compliance Plans.
- Review and evaluate research billing processes and controls.
- Partner with external consultants and internal stakeholders to support coverage analysis and billing compliance reviews.
- Ensure adherence to Medicare Clinical Trial Policy and applicable payer requirements.
Budget Development & Study Financial Management- Collaborate with research leaders to develop study budgets and financial forecasts.
- Review and negotiate research-related budgets with industry sponsors and funding agencies.
- Evaluate the financial viability of proposed research activities.
- Provide recommendations to leadership regarding funding opportunities and resource allocation.
- Monitor performance against approved budgets and funding commitments.
Enterprise Risk Management & Compliance- Identify emerging risks related to research, sponsored awards, grants administration, and billing compliance.
- Collaborate with Compliance, Legal, and Internal Audit regarding risk mitigation strategies.
- Evaluate regulatory changes and organizational impacts.
- Develop action plans that strengthen compliance and reduce organizational exposure.
- Ensure readiness for audits, reviews, and regulatory inquiries.
Process Improvement & Innovation- Lead enterprise process improvement efforts related to research administration and sponsored programs.
- Standardize workflows and improve operational efficiency.
- Leverage technology and automation opportunities where appropriate.
- Create scalable processes that support continued research growth.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
Leadership & Team Development- Lead, coach, and develop research finance and sponsored programs staff.
- Establish performance expectations and accountability measures.
- Foster collaboration, professional development, and operational excellence.
- Build organizational capability in sponsored programs administration and research financial management.
- Support succession planning and talent development initiatives.
Success MeasuresWithin the first 12-24 months, the Director will be expected to:
- Strengthen enterprise compliance related to sponsored awards, research administration, and billing activities.
- Improve financial stewardship and reporting accuracy for grants, contracts, and sponsored programs.
- Enhance research billing compliance and reduce organizational risk.
- Improve sponsor budget development and negotiation processes.
- Increase operational efficiency and reduce administrative burden through process improvements.
- Successfully support audit readiness and regulatory compliance efforts.
- Build strong partnerships across research, finance, compliance, legal, and operational teams.
- Create scalable systems that support the continued growth of research activities across Presbyterian.
Additional Job Description:ExperienceRequired- Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in: Research Administration Sponsored Programs Grants Management Research Finance Healthcare Finance Compliance Academic Medical Center or Health System Research Operations
- Experience administering federally funded grants and contracts.
- Knowledge of Uniform Guidance and federal grant regulations.
- Experience managing research-related financial and compliance activities.
- Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and teams.
Preferred- Health system, academic medical center, or research institute experience.
- Research patient billing compliance experience.
- Study budget development and contract negotiation experience.
- Experience supporting Institutional Review Boards and research governance activities.
- Workday and enterprise financial systems experience.
Preferred Certifications- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Certified in Healthcare Research Compliance (CHRC)
- Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC)
- Certified Research Administrator (CRA)
- Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator (CPRA)
- Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA)
BenefitsBenefits are effective day-one (for .45 FTE and above) and include:
- Competitive salaries
- Full medical, dental and vision insurance
- Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
- Free wellness programs
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Retirement plans, including matching employer contributions
- Continuing education and career development opportunities
- Life insurance and short/long term disability programs
