Director, Research Finance and Operations

Temple University•Philadelphia, PA

15h•Hybrid

About The Position

Temple University's Lewis Katz School of Medicine is seeking a Director, Research Finance and Operations to provide strategic financial, operational, analytical, and project management support to the Executive Director of Research Administration. This role is a key partner in managing and advancing the School's growing research enterprise, with responsibility for research financial analysis, forecasting, reporting, data analytics, process improvement, and strategic project execution. The Director turns complex financial and operational data into actionable information for executive decision-making, resource planning, risk management, and stewardship of sponsored research and other research-related activities. The position develops and maintains reporting tools, dashboards, financial models, standardized processes, and other resources that promote consistency, transparency, and informed decisions across research administration. Reporting jointly to the Executive Director of Research Administration and the Executive Director, Finance, the Director collaborates with the Office of the Vice President for Research, Business Intelligence, Finance, research administrators, faculty, and other institutional partners. The role supports alignment between School and University priorities, strengthens financial and operational controls, identifies improvement opportunities, and advances strategic initiatives. It helps the School manage its research portfolio by connecting financial analysis, operational data, and strategic planning to improve performance, promote compliance, mitigate risk, and support the research mission. The position has a hybrid work arrangement, combining on-campus and remote work; the duration of the arrangement is at Temple University's and the Department's discretion. A criminal history review is required.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and at least 6 years of directly related experience; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
High-level proficiency with Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, and modeling, and comfort working with large data sets.
Experience with research administration systems, such as Banner, Oncore, or effort reporting systems.
Strong understanding of pre-award and post-award processes, including budgeting, expenditure tracking, effort reporting, and compliance requirements.
Strong writing skills for reports, justifications, and policy documentation.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting research service or recharge centers and sponsored-program financial operations.
Ability to maintain, enhance, and integrate data across multiple systems while ensuring accuracy and consistency.
Ability to analyze complex research, financial, and operational data to support institutional decision-making.

Responsibilities

Lead the collection, organization, validation, and analysis of research-related financial and operational data for reporting and decision-making.
Develop and maintain reports, dashboards, metrics, and analytical tools for executive leadership and research administration.
Monitor financial and operational trends and identify data discrepancies, gaps, risks, and improvement opportunities.
Maintain and enhance databases, spreadsheets, tracking tools, and other resources supporting sponsored programs, research service centers, clinical research, and research administration.
Collaborate with Business Intelligence, Finance, the Office of the Vice President for Research, and other partners to improve data quality, reporting, and system integration.
Establish standardized definitions, reporting methodologies, and documentation for research administration metrics.
Provide financial analysis and operational support for sponsored programs and research service centers.
Prepare grant activity summaries, budget forecasts, expenditure analyses, financial projections, and other financial reports.
Partner with research administrators and principal investigators to monitor grant expenditures and ensure compliance with budgets, University policies, sponsor requirements, and applicable regulations.
Review expenditure transactions for compliance with sponsor terms, University policies, and accounting requirements.
Monitor sponsored-program closeout activities and coordinate follow-up to bring financial and accounting processes to completion.
Support preparation and review of final financial reports and supporting documentation.
Maintain records of grant applications, awards, financial activity, and status in applicable research administration systems.
Guide research personnel on sponsored-program budgeting, expenditures, effort reporting, and financial compliance.
Develop tools, templates, and standardized processes to improve financial stewardship and consistency across research units.
Support business cases, financial models, and analyses for new research initiatives.
Prepare and distribute recurring monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial and operational reports.
Provide analytical and operational support to the Executive Director of Research Administration on special projects and strategic initiatives.
Serve as a resource to research administrators, faculty, and staff on research-related financial and operational matters.
Train or assist in training research personnel on University policies, procedures, practices, and standards.
Develop and maintain practical guides, job aids, FAQs, checklists, workflow diagrams, and other resources for consistent research administration processes.
Identify recurring questions, process gaps, and training needs and develop educational resources to address them.
Track and report progress on strategic initiatives, including policy development, financial modeling, system enhancements, data initiatives, and operational improvements.
Develop standardized templates and documentation and coordinate periodic review and revision of research administration procedures and guidance.
Work with subject matter experts and institutional offices to ensure documentation reflects current University policies and requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned.