Vice President - Finance and Administration

As the Vice President, Finance and Administration, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across NGNRI’s core administrative functions, including finance, procurement, human resources, and facilities. As a key member of the leadership team, this role will ensure the institute operates efficiently, compliantly, and in full support of its research mission. The successful candidate will bring senior-level experience in finance and administration, ideally within a research or not-for-profit environment, along with a strong track record of building and managing high-performing administrative teams. This role will establish and oversee budgeting, financial controls, and operational processes, ensuring effective resource allocation and regulatory compliance. Reporting to the COO, the VP will play a central role in enabling a seamless research environment—providing the structure, systems, and support that allow scientific teams to focus on discovery. This is a mission-driven leadership position requiring sound judgment, operational excellence, and a commitment to the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. 

About the role

• Oversee and manage the financial and administrative operations of NGNRI 

• Oversee and manage administrative support of research  

• Together with the COO, build up and provide an organizational structure for the NGNRI administration  

• Lead the NGNRI administrative management team (finance, procurement, HR, EH&S, infrastructure technical operations, all administrative support services) 

• Ensure organization news and events are appropriately supported and disseminated to all NGNRI administrative staff 

• Contribute to building a supportive and progressive work culture according to the expectations of today’s workforce personnel 

• Be proactive in identifying potential administrative hurdles and challenges and in engaging with the NGNRI senior management team to find solutions 

• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and guidelines as well operations at the highest ethical standards 

About you

• Careful, accurate, structured, analytical worker with excellent organizational skills 

• Broad base of practical knowledge relating to administrative management in a not for-profit or biomedical organization 

• Strong communicator whether in writing, speech or oral presentations 

• Deferential to diversity, equality and inclusion and able to lead diverse multicultural teams 

• Someone who will embrace a bold vision and remain loyal to its purpose 

• Able to recruit talent and unite individuals  

• An individual with the highest integrity and ethical standards. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading an administration or financial team. Ideally, experience as a VP of Finance and Administration, Director of Human Resources, Director of Finances, or head of the financial management of a function (e.g. Office of Sponsored Research, Grants and Contracts). 

• Awareness of the financial, administrative and legal operational challenges of biomedical research 

• Experience and proven credentials in leading an administration 

• A structured and well-organized manager able to build and manage teams 

• Ability to provide administrative operational guidance and motivate staff in support functions 

• Experience solving problems and overcoming obstacles, flexibility to consider and adopt alternative strategies when needed 

• Strong interpersonal skills, communication and team building 

• Experience navigating audit and compliance requirements in the not-for-profit sector 

• Proven loyalty to an organizational agenda 

What you’ll get

Our team members fuel our strategy, innovation and growth, so we ensure the health and well-being of not just you, but your family, too! We go above and beyond to give you the support you need on an individual level and offer all sorts of ways to help you live your best life. We are proud to offer eligible team members perks and health benefits that will help you have peace of mind. Simply put: We’ve got your back. Check out our full list of Benefits and Perks.

About us

The Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute (NGNRI) is a nonprofit organization focused on developing treatments and cures for Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and other neurological disorders and cancers with significant unmet need. Backed by the Gilbert Family Foundation and created in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU) and Henry Ford Health (HFH), NGNRI brings together leading scientific and clinical expertise to accelerate translational discovery.

Located within a new, state-of-the-art research facility in midtown Detroit, NGNRI offers a highly collaborative environment alongside MSU and HFH. The institute is equipped with advanced platforms—including organoid and stem cell models, AI-driven analysis, FACS, and CRISPR technologies—and provides access to extensive shared core facilities.

NGNRI supports both in-house researchers and visiting scientists, creating a dynamic, mission-driven ecosystem designed to advance innovation and deliver impact in an underserved field. As part of Detroit’s rapidly growing medical research campus, NGNRI offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge science within a vibrant and expanding hub.

This job description is an outline of the primary responsibilities of this position and may be modified at the discretion of the company at any time.  Decisions related to employment are not based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.  The company provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.  Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations in completing the application and/or participating in the application process should contact a member of the Human Resources team, at [email protected].