Chief Financial Officer

Overview

Under limited direction the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will serve as a strategic partner to the CEO, scientific leadership and board of Directors leadership and is responsible to develop and execute strategic plans that ensure fiscal health including all audits, compliance with sponsor rules and federal regulations, and the financial infrastructure to scale scientific impact.  The CFO will be responsible for all leadership of all financial operations, technology implementation and fiscal strategy.  Experience with fundraising, investor relations, grant proposals, effort reporting systems and /or federal award closeouts a plus.   Familiarity with intellectual property commercialization, tech transfer finance, industry partnerships, multi-entry and/or multi-site research organizations.

The role balances operational excellence with strategic planning; especially around grant funding, facilities and capital projects, commercialization and partnerships, and risk management.

Key Responsibilities

• Safeguard financial stability, optimize resources and provide analytics and insight to support scientific priorities, strategic growth and sustainability.
• Implementing sound financial planning and cashflow management that aligns resource allocation with research priorities, commercialization strategies & facility needs while maintaining strong internal controls and audit readiness.
• Ensuring compliant financial stewardship of sponsored research funds and federal regulations through rigorous grant and contract accounting.
• Financial systems implementation and process automation. ERP platforms common to research institutions (e.g., Deltek, CostPoint, Oracle/PeopleSoft, Workday, NetSuite, Banner, SAP) preferred.
• Envisioning and managing various departmental transformation initiatives including selection and implementation of financial systems that optimize operational efficiencies, processes and workflow, while providing data integrity, visibility and reliable reporting.
• Managing financial relationships with bankers, auditors, insurers, etc. and developing strategies that enable capital fundraising/financing for research, major facilities or equipment.
• Evaluating and advising on new program financing, partnerships, IP licensing, and potential M&A or joint ventures.
• Assure spending within budget or for approval for significant changes to budget; Including ownership of enterprise budgeting, multi-year forecasting and scenario planning for funding volatility.
• Assessing and organizing the existing team (25 people) into a unit that leverages individual strengths and optimizes productivity.
• Financial oversight and risk assessment of all contracts and business relationships, in coordination with legal, research administration, and operational leadership. Responsible for all audits the institute is required to respond to.
• Develop good working relationships with management, scientific and support staff at all levels within the institute.
• Serve as primary staff liaison to the Board Finance and Audit Committees, including preparation of financial reporting, dashboards, and risk assessments.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by CEO

Relocation may be offered for this position.

Qualifications

Requires Bachelors in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field; an MBA or Master’s in Finance is preferred.  Minimum 10-15 years of progressive senior financial leadership experience; at least 5 years in a CFO or equivalent role preferred, with at least 5 years of personnel management and CPA highly recommended; or an equivalent combination of education and training from which comparable knowledge skills and abilities have been attained.

Experience in research institutions, academic medical centers, biotech, clinical trials, or nonprofit science organizations with a deep understanding of sponsored research accounting.  Strong knowledge of federal grant regulations, Uniform Guidance (2CFR Part 200), NIH grand mechanisms, industry contract structures and indirect cost recovery.  Experience in managing audits (financial & sponsor) and working with external auditors

Preferred/Additional Qualifications

MBA or Masters with CPA is preferred.

Physical Requirements

Work is performed in an office environment.  Will operate standard office equipment and will frequently stand, walk, sit, perform desk-based computer tasks, use a telephone, perform repetitive motions and occasionally lift objects that weigh up to 10 pounds. The above is intended to describe the general requirements for the position and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive statement of physical requirements.  The Institute will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires an accommodation to perform the essential functions of the position.