Director, Research Finance
About The Position
The University is seeking an experienced and collaborative Director of Research Finance to lead and strengthen the institution’s post-award research financial operations. Reporting to the Associate Vice Provost, this leadership role is responsible for advancing financial stewardship, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and strategic support across a diverse and expanding research portfolio. This is an opportunity for a seasoned research finance professional to build institutional partnerships, modernize processes, lead high-performing teams, and help drive the University’s long-term research mission. The Director of Research Finance provides strategic leadership for all post-award financial management activities across the University’s research enterprise. The role oversees research financial operations, develops institution-wide compliance and control initiatives, and ensures effective stewardship of sponsored funding from federal, state, industry, and foundation sponsors. The Director will evaluate and improve financial operations, policies, systems, and reporting processes while fostering strong collaboration across academic and administrative units.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree required
- 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in research finance
- Deep knowledge of federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and research compliance standards
- Demonstrated success leading complex financial operations within a higher education or research-intensive environment
- Strong leadership, team development, and relationship management skills
- Excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving abilities
- Experience managing audits, regulatory reporting, and institutional compliance activities
Responsibilities
- Lead and strengthen the institution’s post-award research financial operations.
- Advance financial stewardship, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and strategic support across a diverse and expanding research portfolio.
- Build institutional partnerships, modernize processes, and lead high-performing teams.
- Provide strategic leadership for all post-award financial management activities across the University’s research enterprise.
- Oversee research financial operations.
- Develop institution-wide compliance and control initiatives.
- Ensure effective stewardship of sponsored funding from federal, state, industry, and foundation sponsors.
- Evaluate and improve financial operations, policies, systems, and reporting processes.
- Foster strong collaboration across academic and administrative units.
- Manage audits, regulatory reporting, and institutional compliance activities.
Benefits
- Tuition remission for Employees
- Tuition remission for Spouses and Children who meet eligibility requirements
- Generous Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Low-Cost Life Insurance
- Eligibility for both University-Funded 401k and Employer-Sponsored 403b Retirement Plans
- Paid Holidays Annually
- Generous Sick and Vacation Pay
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
