Director of Research Finance

Position is hybrid with onsite at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA

Job Overview

This position responsible for the direction and coordination of research and other special funds financial operations, cost analysis, reimbursement, planning, regulatory compliance, and administration functions. Responsible for hospital restricted and unrestricted net assets such as grants & contracts, permanently and temporarily restricted funds, sundry and gift funds; as well as research business and operations and other hospital funded research program commitments.  This position is an integral part of the Research Administration team and works collaboratively with the Chief Academic Officer and the Vice President of Research Administration to ensure proper fiscal management of hospital grant and contracts and special funds in all key areas.  A key member of the Tufts Medicine corporate accounting team and works collaboratively with staff for proper financial statement reporting and cost accounting of hospital’s research and special funds activities.

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field.

2. Ten (10) years of progressively responsible research finance experience, including five (5) years of management experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Master’s degree in related field.

2. Experience in an Academic Medical Center, medical school, or integrated health system.

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list.  Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Directs the fiscal requirements for grants & contracts, sundry and permanently and temporarily restricted funds, and research business & operations management activities, including hospital research consolidated budgeting and reporting, financial reporting to all federal and private foundations, accounts receivable/cash management, management accounting, implementation of internal controls, reporting systems review and maintenance, management of donor imposed restrictions, and audit coordination.

2. Directs various personnel functions including, but not limited to, performance management, operational issues, problem resolution, compliance, time management, and customer service.

3. Provides monthly/year end consolidated financial reporting of grants, contracts and special funds for the hospital consolidated financial statements. Provide monthly executive-level financial analyses to allow for strategic planning and tracking of key financial performance indicators for the research product-line, including but not limited to, the research profit and loss statement, and both space density and indirect recovery analysis.

4. Directs the proposal preparation and negotiates the Tufts-MC facilities & administrative cost and fringe benefit rates with our cognizant federal agency, the DHHS Division of Cost Allocation.

5. Develops, organizes, completes, and provides on-going variance analysis for research and special funds annual budget in collaboration with executive management and the Vice President of Research Administration.

6. Responsible for the maintenance and data integrity of the research and special funds ledger, sub-ledger, and data bases, and other system functionality as well as all associated processes and internal controls.

7. Directs the completion of annually required financial reports to different funding sources, including federal and state agencies, to ensure continuation and renewals of grant and contract awards.

8. Serves as the chief regulatory fiscal specialist to all researchers, research administrators, and management related to federal grants and contracts.

9. Develops research accounting policies and procedures for internal control and compliance with federal requirements in all financial aspects of grants and contracts. Implements new research accounting policies and trains internal stakeholders as required.

10. Works with both internal and external auditors/stakeholders to coordinate the annual OMB Uniform Grant Guidance (UGG) audit, Uniform Financial Report (UFR), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant submission, as it pertains to obligations of the system-wide enterprise.

11. Works with the Leadership to provide guidance and recommendations for the establishment of internal policies regarding both economic and compliance issues. Implements new fiscal policies as required.

12. Compiles research facilities, administrative, and fringe benefit cost data, and allocation information, and directs the preparation of the hospital’s research rate proposals in accordance with applicable regulations.

13. Responds to financial compliance issues raised by Compliance and Internal Audit and implements corrective action plans as necessary.

14. Reviews and authorizes hospital research core facilities annual hospital-wide charge rates and budgets brought forward by Research Administration Directors.

15. Works collaboratively with Leadership to oversee the business and financial operations of the core facilities serving the needs of the research community.

16. Directs the preparation of all fiscal year-end and interim research audit schedules and analyses required by Tufts MC external auditors for inclusion in the hospital’s year-end audited financial statements.

17. Directs any on-site audits or reviews performed by granting agencies, independent auditors or consulting groups.

18. Monitors federal compliance with the hospital’s time and effort reporting system.

19. Working in collaboration with Leadership, requests formal corrective action plans from the Research Administration Directors, when necessary, in key fiscal compliance risk areas, to ensure maintenance of a proper internal control environment for the management of federal grants.

20. Identifies and develops design revisions and enhancements to the grants, contracts and special funds financial reporting and management information systems.

Physical Requirements:

1. This is largely a sedentary role, which involves sitting most of the time, but may involve movements such as walking, standing, reaching, ascending/descending stairs, and operating office equipment.      

2. Frequently required to speak, hear, communicate, and exchange information.      

3. Ability to see and read computer displays, read fine print, and/or normal type size print and distinguish letters, numbers and symbols.      

4. Requires manual dexterity using fine hand manipulation to operate computer keyboard.

Skills & Abilities:

1. Excellent communication (both written and verbal), interpersonal, and problem solving, organizational, and customer service skills.

3. Ability to present and summarize complex financial information for personnel who may not be familiar with research finance and accounting practices.

4. Thorough knowledge of OMB Circulars A-21, A-110, and A-133, as well as 45 CFR 74 Appendix E (“OASC-3, Cost Principles for Hospitals).

5. Ability to direct a team of individuals working in a remote capacity and affect a high level of performance.

6. Ability to lead a team of skilled professionals to perform all financial functions for the research enterprise to a high level.

Job Profile Summary

This role focuses on performing a variety of financial activities, including accounting, financial analysis, audit, tax, and collections, while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Finance Leadership duties: Controls, directs, and participates in the activities of the organization through a hierarchy of managers and supervisors. Responsibilities also include long-term strategic planning, determining the policies of the organization, and allocating its resources and making decisions regarding organization growth and diversification to accomplish entity's vision.  A management role that supervises employees focusing on tactical, operational activities within a specified area, with the majority of time spent overseeing area of responsibility, planning, prioritizing and/or directing the responsibilities of employees. Goal achievement is typically accomplished through performance of direct and/or indirect reports. A role that manages experienced professionals who exercise latitude and independence in assignments.  Responsibilities typically include:  policy and strategy implementation for short-term results (1 year or less), problems faced are difficult to moderately complex, and influences others outside of own job area regarding policies, practices and procedures.

At Tufts Medicine, we want every individual to feel valued for the skills and experience they bring. Our compensation philosophy is designed to offer fair, competitive pay that attracts, retains, and motivates highly talented individuals, while rewarding the important work you do every day.

The base pay ranges reflect the minimum qualifications for the role. Individual offers are determined using a comprehensive approach that considers relevant experience, certifications, education, skills, and internal equity to ensure compensation is fair, consistent, and aligned with our business goals.

Beyond base pay, Tufts Medicine provides a comprehensive Total Rewards package that supports your health, financial security, and career growth—one of the many ways we invest in you so you can thrive both at work and outside of it.

Pay Range: