Director - Finance & Administration, DIBI

About the Opportunity

JOB SUMMARY

The Defense Industrial Base Institute (DIBI) seeks a dynamic and experienced Director of Finance and Administration to support a new DoD research funded initiative as well as its overall institute mission in the metro-Boston area, nationally, and internationally. This role requires an extremely experienced person who combines a record of professional success in financial and grant management, office administration, human relations, and has strong collaboration and interpersonal skills.

The Director for Administration and Finance will provide oversight and management of all operational and financial matters of the new DoD initiative in support of the Executive Director and Founding Director. The Director of Finance will ensure the efficient and effective management of all institute research and operational budgets, in compliance with the requirements of external sponsors, the Office of the Provost and University policies, and will work collaboratively with colleagues at Northeastern University Research Enterprise Services (NU RES).

The position will work under the direction of the Executive Director in supporting DIBI’s mission and milestones deliverables to DoD stakeholders and other external research sponsors. The director will be responsible for implementing an orderly and trackable business environment with best-in-class practices; implementing processes and providing oversight for effective financial and sponsored award management; executing all aspects of budgeting, financial transactions and analysis, and control; reporting of operational and project budgets; and overseeing administration management processes for DIBI while working alongside colleagues across NU-RES, Office of the Provost and  Human Resources departments, and interacting with external counterparts on contracting issues involving partner organizations and institutions of higher education.

The position will work closely with the Executive Director and NU-RES to support financial stakeholder conversations across academic institutions in support of research initiatives to ensure a smooth collaborative process.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree, with master's degree or relevant professional certification (e.g., CPA or CPM) preferred, in finance, accounting, business administration, project management, or a related field.

• At least 8 years professional experience in financial planning and administration, project management or grant management in a complex organization, with experience working in a research university or research institution preferred. Additional functional experience in human resource management, or student and teaching support also preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute financial planning and budgeting process and lead finance and/or general administrative staff (Operations Manager/ Budget Analyst), collaborate, and make effective decisions. 

• Effective communication and analytical skills and an ability to focus on the big picture and the overall operational needs of the Institute while executing (or overseeing the execution of) day-to-day transactional and tactical activities.

• Knowledge of Northeastern University systems a plus (Banner, Concur, Workday, SharePoint, Argos, Cognos, Archibus, Excel, Tableau, etc.)

• Experience managing federal and/or institutional research budgets of at least $5M strongly preferred.

• Ability to multi-task and work independently as well as in teams, with a strong “bias for action”.  

• Ability to adapt quickly to address new priorities as they arise. Should be comfortable working in a fast-paced and unstructured environment with an entrepreneurial, solutions-oriented mindset.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

Budgetary Strategy & Oversight (Operational and Research) (30%)

• Develop multi-year operational and research budgets and conduct regular “budget vs. actual” analyses to inform the Institute’s leadership. 
• Oversee an Operations Manager and Budget Analyst who will be responsible for day-to-day operational, financial and administrative tasks and processes, including reconciliations for the DoD research initiative.
• Manage revenue/expense projections for the Institute and the DoD initiative
• Create/maintain budgetary policies and procedures. Assure compliance with all related University policies and procedures as well as federal funding requirements.
• Recommend, develop, and implement processes and procedures, and budget structures to support effective and efficient financial operations. 
• Pre/Post administration of grants and external funding as it relates to budgetary issues. 
• Work closely with Northeastern HRM on the hiring and on-boarding of full-time and part-time staff and Institute-affiliated research scientists and faculty positions.
• Work closely with Student employment office and College co-op advisors on hiring all Students across the institute. 
• Supports development of forecasting models for all research, initiatives, or programs to include operational management/support. 
• Manage and track unrestricted, Designated and Restricted budget oversight (Via Budget Analyst)
• Manage Transactional Activity (JV’s, Budget Transfers, New account setup, Concur, etc.): Via Budget Analyst.
• Identifies short and long-range budgetary issues (operational or research) and recommends solutions. 
• Support contract development and oversight with external partner organizations and institutions of higher education.

Manage budget/financial/administrative positions (30%)

• Oversee Operations Manager and Budget Analyst in monitoring all overhead, operational and research accounts under the initiative, to include all external rapid study teams and advancement gift accounts 
• Develop and track compliance processes for the institute and the set-up of research accounts 
• Track research efforts reporting and compliance issues to ensure all are addressed while working with NU-RES. 
• Troubleshoot and problem solve all compliance and risk management issues as they arise. Consult with University Central Offices (Office of the General Counsel, NU-RES and others) as necessary for guidance in partnership with the Executive Director and Founding Director.

Space and Management Reporting (40%)

• Support Executive Director on all space matters including working with the Office of the Provost on identifying space needs, moves, purchases, payments, etc.
• Working alongside Operations Manager, assisting on addressing space issues (work orders, CPR’s, working with Facilities, moves, etc.), maintain space move records.
• Under oversight of the Executive Director, maintain staff and research management compliance and reporting up to date.
• Responsible for oversight of management and ordering of equipment at the institute for technology compliance

Requirement:

US Citizenship is a requirement per Federal funding agency

Additional Information:

This is a fixed term appointment, with the possibility of renewal based off of continuing external funding

Position Type

General Administration

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.  

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type:

112S

Expected Hiring Range:

$97,550.00 - $141,443.75

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.