Assistant Director of Research Finance - Accounting

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for overseeing the Research Finance Grants Management Team with a focus on providing administrative and financial support to university departments and Principal Investigators throughout the award life cycle. 

As a key leader of the Research Finance Team, the Assistant Director maintains a close partnership with university research functions across campus as well as finance and accounting and is responsible for central oversight for full project expenditures, financial reconciliation, report preparation, and award closeout. The Assistant Director has a holistic understanding of the award lifecycle and serves as a key training resource to the university related to post-award activities.

About the Work Unit:

The Research Finance Team strives for excellence in providing support and oversight in administratively managing sponsored projects, monitoring associated financial compliance requirements in accordance with sponsor regulations and university policies, and providing analytical and cost accounting expertise to the management of Vanderbilt’s research enterprise. Research Finance includes the Research Financial Analysts that provide central oversight for project expenditures, financial reconciliation, financial reporting, and award closeout, the Research Accountants that perform invoicing, cash management and accounts receivable management, and the Data and Cost Analysts that perform cost accounting activities and institutional research reporting as well as award setup and effort certification compliance oversight. 

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Responsible for the development of policies, procedures, and training related to central oversight of project expenditures accounting, financial reconciliation, report preparation, and award closeout. 
• Assist in establishing a post-award training curriculum building content to support Vanderbilt’s research enterprise. 
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Research Financial Grants Management Team including review of project expenditures, financial reconciliation, report preparation and award closeout. 
• Establish goals and monitor performance objectives for optimal service delivery and efficient operations. Leads identification and development of high-performing staff.
• Identify, envision, and champion process improvements including system-based opportunities to best support Vanderbilt’s research enterprise.  Work collaboratively with VUIT, and Accounting on fully utilizing system functionality and designing new functionality. 
• Serve as the knowledge expert on the Oracle grants project module.
• Work collaboratively with top leadership in schools and departments on research administration compliance activities.  Lead Vanderbilt during audits performed by external auditors and granting agencies.
• Oversee all reconciliations of grants project module in Oracle to the General Ledger.
• Assist in review of the schedule of Federal Awards and Schedule of Expenditures of State Awards for the annual financial report ensuring all federal awards are reported appropriately.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position has direct supervisory responsibility over the 9 person Research Finance Grants Management Team. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Senior Director for Research Finance.

Education and Certifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary.
• A Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in accounting is preferred.
• CPA or MACC/MBA is preferred.

Experience and Skills:

• 5+ years of supervisory experience is preferred.
• Skill in advanced Excel, Word, and PowerPoint applications is necessary.
• Time management skills and the ability to work well in a team environment is necessary.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people, understanding their needs and goals is necessary. 
• Ability to work co-operatively with others as part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively, is necessary.
• Experience in higher education with a focus in research compliance and/or financial administration in a research university, academic medical center, or other organization subject to an externally regulated environment is preferred.
• Experience leading an organization and providing effective management to a diverse staff, ensuring that they are developing professionally and sustaining a high level of performance is necessary.
• Demonstrated performance in establishing and maintaining productive and collaborative relationships with a full range of internal and external constituencies is necessary.
• Advanced understanding of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and General Ledgers is preferred.
• Proven detail-oriented work style in collaboration with effective written and verbal communication skills is necessary.
• Openness to change, adaptability, and the ability to work effectively in a variety of situations, with individuals or groups is necessary.
• Ability to understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives on an issue is necessary.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders is necessary.