Director of Finance and Research Programs

Santa Clara University•Santa Clara, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Research and Finance provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for financial and administrative functions within the School of Engineering, including the management of research-related funding and broader School financial activities. The Director supports the Assistant Dean with financial planning, budget development, and resource stewardship across the School, ensuring effective and compliant management of funds from grants, gifts, internal allocations, and other funding sources. In partnership with the Assistant Dean of Faculty Affairs, Finance and Administration, and Associate Dean for Partnerships and Research, the Director drives the development and implementation of financial processes, reporting structures, and operational coordination that support the School’s budget, research funding, and interdisciplinary initiatives. This includes evaluating program performance and resource utilization to inform decisions related to program continuation, expansion, or sunset, as well as supporting the financial and administrative development of new initiatives. The Director collaborates closely with central administrative units, including the Sponsored Projects Office and University Finance, to ensure compliance with institutional policies and regulatory requirements while advancing the School’s strategic and operational priorities. This position reports to the Assistant Dean of Faculty Affairs, Finance and Administration, with a dotted-line relationship to the Associate Dean for Partnerships and Research.

Requirements

Solid understanding and ability to apply GAAP.
Understanding higher education administration structure, the typical politics involved in decision-making strategies and how strategic vision is applied in a university or college setting.
Good understanding of STEM environment.
Outstanding organizational and project management skills and data management acuity.
Excellent interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills.
Demonstrated knowledge of MS Office/GoogleDocs required; Microsoft Access, advanced data analytics in Excel preferred.
Ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment.
Effects change through a series of steps to successfully influence others indirectly to gain support.
Facile with a variety of communications skills to apply appropriate language or forms of reasoning to deliver messages that ensure successful outcomes.
Entrepreneurial spirit, flexibility, adaptability, and willingness to respond spontaneously when opportunities arise.
Creative mindset, openness to change, and enthusiasm for collaborative program development.
Demonstrated ability to drive projects from inception to completion.
Excellent judgment, attention to detail, and ability to be self-directed and take initiative.
Ability to work non-traditional hours.
Valid U.S. Driver's License.
5 years of experience within finance, accounting, or a student services department preferred.
Specific work in a higher education institution involving direct faculty, student, and staff contact and supervisory or management experience; HR experience preferred.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business Management preferred.

Responsibilities

Operate as a strategic and operational partner to School leadership, ensuring financial, research, and administrative functions are aligned with institutional priorities and executed with consistency and rigor
Exercise sound judgment in managing complex financial and research-related activities, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and appropriate stewardship of all funding sources
Translate data, financial analyses, and program outcomes into clear, actionable insights that support informed decision-making at the leadership level
Establish and maintain effective working relationships across academic departments, central administrative offices, and external partners to support coordinated and efficient operations
Identify gaps, inefficiencies, or risks in financial and administrative processes, and proactively develop and implement solutions that improve performance and scalability
Ensure all financial, research, and programmatic activities adhere to university policies, regulatory requirements, and best practices
Maintain a high level of organization and accountability across multiple funding streams, programs, and operational priorities, ensuring timely and accurate execution of responsibilities
Communicate clearly and consistently with stakeholders, providing regular updates on financial status, program performance, and project progress
Support a culture of continuous improvement, transparency, and shared accountability within the School of Engineering
Adapt to evolving priorities, funding landscapes, and institutional needs, providing flexible and responsive leadership in a dynamic environment
Support comprehensive financial planning, forecasting, and analysis to support School-wide budgeting, resource allocation, and long-term financial sustainability
Support School-wide financial processes and periodically review for improvements and cost savings, including: Faculty Professional Development distribution and expense tracking, Reconciliation processes for academic and administrative unit corrections, Budget reporting to the Dean’s Office from academic and administrative units
Serve as Cost Center Coordinator for Dean’s Office budget
Develop and maintain integrated financial reporting tools and dashboards that track revenues, expenses, and funding sources across all operational budgets in the School of Engineering.
Provide strategic financial insights, including cost-benefit analysis and return on investment modeling, to inform leadership decision-making
Prepare and present regular financial reports to School leadership, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and alignment with strategic priorities
Serve as a central resource for financial guidance and training to administrative staff, strengthening financial literacy and consistency across departments
Oversee financial operations related to Dean’s Office activities, including supporting the Assistant Dean of Faculty Affairs, Finance and Administration in budget development, monitoring, reconciliation, and fiscal close
Identify and implement process improvements to enhance financial operations, compliance, and efficiency across the School
Oversee financial management of research-related funding, including grants, contracts, gifts, and internal awards, ensuring compliance with university policies and external regulations
Partner with the Assistant Dean of Faculty Affairs, Finance and Administration, Dean and Associate Dean for Partnerships and Research to support financial planning and execution of research initiatives, including startup fund allocations, Dean’s Fund distributions, and new initiatives.
Manage the administrative process of internal research funding programs in collaboration with the Associate Dean for Partnerships and Research: Proposal processes, Review coordination, Award administration, Annual Reporting
Monitor and analyze research funding activity, including indirect cost recovery and expenditure trends, to support strategic growth
Maintain inventory and asset tracking systems for equipment and resources, supporting lifecycle management and future planning
Hosts up-to-date information on SOE research assets and space usage. Serves as a key point of knowledge to inform decisions regarding equipment purchase and deployment, and laboratory space use and allocation.
Support the development and refinement of policies and procedures that enhance research administration and funding utilization
Provide administrative oversight for interdisciplinary programs and initiatives, including budget development, tracking, and reconciliation
In collaboration with the Associate Dean of Partnerships and Research, evaluate interdisciplinary programs and their outcomes to inform decisions on continuation, expansion, or sunset, and provide administrative support for the development of new initiatives
Support Program Directors with operational needs not otherwise covered by department resources, including hiring processes, financial transactions, and administrative coordination
Manage financial transactions across multiple funding sources, including fund transfers, reallocations, and expense tracking
Oversee program-related administrative processes such as Director appointments, compensation tracking, and operational logistics
Ensure effective coordination across stakeholders to support program execution and operational continuity
Provide input for annual impact statements to satisfy donor wishes for execution of anticipated use
Provide School-level administrative and financial support for sponsored projects in coordination with principal investigators and SPO office
Assist with proposal preparation as needed, budget questions, and post-award financial management activities as directed by SPO
Support the SPO at the School level to assist faculty with monitoring expenditures and ensuring alignment with approved budgets and funding requirements
Support SPO compliance with institutional, sponsor, and regulatory guidelines
Serve as a resource for faculty and staff navigating sponsored project processes and requirements
Manage School of Engineering laboratory personnel regarding processes, performance, policies, and budgetary matters; this role does not include direct technical support
Supervise laboratory directors to ensure effective management of budgeting, finance, safety compliance, space, and student workers
May supervise other professional staff