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Executive Director for Finance & Operations
Job Description
Department
About the Department
UCCCC has one of the largest cancer clinical trials programs in the country and in the Chicago area with nearly 500 adult and pediatric therapeutic trials actively accruing patients. Many of these studies are investigator-initiated, including Phase I or I/II trials, demonstrating UCCCC commitment to translate basic research findings to the clinic through proof-of-principle and early phase studies. UCCCC opens over 250 new trials each year and accrues approximately 900 participants to therapeutic trials each year.
Job Summary
Reporting to the UCCCC Associate Director for Administration, the Executive Director for Finance & Operations is a senior administrator within the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center. This position serves as the Center’s Chief Financial Officer and has broad oversight and responsibility for the Center’s budget and finances, sponsored research administration, procurement, capital expenditures, payroll, space and facilities, and human resources. Works in partnership with Center leadership to develop and execute the Center’s short and long-term operational plans and strategic goals and allocates resources accordingly. Leverages superior organizational, operational, and financial management skills to support key strategies and directives including escalating and remediating issues when needed.
The Executive Director for Finance & Operations understands the complex finances within the academic research Center and is adept at developing, analyzing, and presenting metrics to track financial trends and make sound financial forecasts. Manages multiple related teams of managers and professional staff responsible for leadership within the Center including but not limited to Human Resources Management and serves as a liaison to academic departments and administrative units of the University as well as external agencies and academic collaborators.
Responsibilities
Financial Responsibilities and Oversight
Plans, organizes, directs, and controls all financial activities within the Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Provides direct supervision n for Finance, Grants & Contract Managers.
Develops and administers annual operating budget for the Center, strategically analyzing previous activity and new strategic initiatives to accurately forecast future needs. Optimizes distribution of expenses and commitments across all funding sources (grants, recharge, gifts/endowments, unrestricted funds).
Implements an effective financial model for Center operations that ensures maintenance of Center-wide programmatic activities. Creates strategies for improving budget and financial planning processes while improving efficiency and maintaining strong internal controls.
Implements future-oriented ways to control costs while sustaining growth, productivity and efficient systems for decision making. Supports the vision and strategic direction for the Center through effective resource management.
Works closely with leadership, faculty, program staff and other administrators to achieve the strategic objective of increasing the Center’s research portfolio, focused on extramurally funded research. Strengthens management and monitoring of sponsored research projects and restricted fund activities to ensure financial accuracy and accountability.
Provides financial expertise and guidance in developing successful multi-investigator, large-scale, complex grant submissions that are critical to the mission of the Center (e.g., type P01, P30, P50, OT2, SPORE, R25, UG1, etc.).
Leads comprehensive administrative support for sponsored programs & research (pre award to post award) to optimize the potential for grant funding and to ensure all funding awarded is used to the specification of the funding agency. Facilitates collaborative interdepartmental and interdisciplinary research. Directs annual Payroll Verification process.
Solves complex problems in collaboration with University Research Administration (URA) and external funding agencies. Serves as liaison between internal units such as Financial Services, URA, Procurement Services, and the BSD Dean’s Office to ensure that all necessary financial data is captured for grant-funded projects. Maintains knowledge of industry trends and remains current with agency and regulatory changes.
Oversees processing of Sponsored Consulting Agreements, Material Transfer Agreements and Confidentiality Disclosure Agreements. As well as, oversees UCCCC gift & endowment funding. Allocates philanthropic funds in alignment with donor direction, intramural funding decisions, and research/programmatic needs.
Mentors and directs training of staff on all aspects of the grant & contract administration process from grant submission to award closeout. This includes fundamentals of budget development, award setup and modification, cost allowability, payroll & cost transfers, financial reporting, subawards, sponsored consulting agreements, cost sharing, and the use of advance accounts.
Provides leadership and direction for financial operations within the Center including procurement, capital expenditures, payroll, service contracts, and reimbursements with attention to adherence to Divisional, University and Sponsor policies and procedures including reconciliation and audit controls.
Responsible for communication and implementation of Divisional and University financial policies and procedures to Center faculty and staff. Ensures compliance and implements corrective actions for issues identified. Represents Center in annual audits and agency site visits and ensures applicable regulations and guidelines are enforced.
Oversees detailed compensation and effort distribution records and updates for all staff and UCCCC-supported faculty. Conducts annual merit/compensation planning process in partnership with Associate Director for Administration.
Provides guidance and oversight on recharge operations. Oversees recharge budgets, preparation of annual rate documentation, billing & payment, and rate adjustments. Collaborates with Financial Services to resolve issues and ensure compliance with federal and institutional requirements. Collaborates with CTSO and CTFG on oversight of clinical trial financial operations in UCCCC, with particular concern to establishment/revision of recharge rates, billing, and payment procedures.
Human Resources & Research Administration
Oversees Center administrative and research staff recruitment process in collaboration with Associate Director for Administration and HR Manager.
Provides high-level oversight & direction to HR Manager and hiring managers with respect to talent acquisition, staff recruitment, onboarding, orientation, supervision, training/professional development, conducting corrective action, evaluating subordinates, setting compensation, and maintenance of org charts.
Provides oversight and guidance concerning the hiring policies and payroll practices of the University to Human Resources Management.
Partners with HR Manager to provide guidance and support to managers who are facing employee performance issues. Serves as a consultant and coach to supervisors and staff to enhance performance and/or working relations.
Works with the Associate Director for Administration to develop plans for future staff, faculty, and core facility needs and identify resources for their support. Works with leadership on the Center’s staffing plan to ensure that strategic priorities can be met.
Collaborates with ADA, Departments, HR Manager, and Academic Affairs Partners in the recruitment, appointment, reappointment, promotion, and departure processes for Faculty recruited into Senior Leadership roles in the Center along with other academic roles, postdoctoral scholars and fellows.
Oversees the development of strategies for employee recruitment and retention including leveraging personal and professional networks and improving job descriptions, considering the current market and changing trends within the greater industry.
Works with HR Manager to provide specialized support, streamline recruitment process and reduce administrative burden to hiring managers.
Encourages team development through transparent communication, coaching, goal setting, mentorship, talent management, and creating a culture of best practices.
In partnership with internal leadership, reviews and recommends personnel actions including promotions, compensation analysis, performance evaluations, training, and terminations.
Oversees processing of new hires, terminations, layoffs, leaves of absence, and merit increases.
Establishes systems that promote fair and effective recruitment, hiring, evaluation, promotion, disciplinary action, and discharge practices.
Develops, implements, and administers policies and procedures and monitors compliance with University fiscal, academic, and human resources policies and procedures.
Cultivates a collaborative, inclusive environment that promotes and fosters teamwork, innovation, and problem solving. Works to support a safe and ethical environment.
Space, Facilities & Equipment Administration
The Executive Director for Finance directs and manages activities related to the Cancer Center's administrative and research space planning, facilities, and equipment, including renovations, moves, maintenance, and ongoing facilities operations.
Directs activities related to utilization of space and maintains appropriate records, ensuring that all activity is coordinated with the appropriate University entities. Coordinates and oversees all moves and renovations and works collaboratively with project managers to facilitate timely completion of space renovations and to ensure the Center’s needs are met.
Oversees the support services necessary such that that the operation of the Center is not impacted. Oversees and coordinates development of all contracts, including those with outside vendors and other institutions.
Responsible for ensuring that the Division’s physical property (buildings, furniture, equipment, computers, etc.) is adequately accounted for and is being used for its intended purpose. This includes maintaining and updating the ARCHIBUS space database, completion of space survey information used to determine indirect cost allocations, and oversight of equipment purchase, tagging, and reporting.
Participates in the purchase, development, implementation, and maintenance of computer hardware and software to support the Center's activities and goals.
Recommends the management of operating and capital budgets, information and accounting systems, revenue billing and collection, and the monitoring of expenditures on active accounts.
Manages financial staff through subordinates, usually other managers and professional staff. Establishes performance goals, allocates resources and assesses policies for the related departments managed.
Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.---
Work Experience:
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Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, or accounting.
Experience:
15 or more years of directly related and progressively responsible experience within a complex academic research setting.
10 years of progressively responsible relevant experience in financial planning, analysis, forecasting, and reporting.
Administrative experience in a NCI designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Knowledge of NCI guidelines for Comprehensive Cancer Centers and Cancer Center Support Grant.
Conversant with Federal grant policies and procedures.
Background submitting grant proposals to a variety of sponsors including federal agencies and private foundations.
Supervisory experience.
Previous experience managing post-award activities.
Technical Skills or Knowledge:
Proficiency with University Financial Systems including FAS/APS, Business Objects, BuySite, GEMS, ACCTS, OnBase, ePayment.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Excel.
Experience with complex financial administrative systems.
Experience with grant & clinical trial data management & analysis software such as EVAL.
Experience with Workday or other Human Resources Information Systems.
Preferred Competencies
Ability to effectively manage a diverse workforce in a complex research environment.
Exceptional organization and analytical skills with meticulous attention to detail and dedication to accuracy and thoroughness.
Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
A resourceful problem-solver and critical thinker, proactive in leveraging opportunities and anticipating and averting problems.
Highly ethical and professional manner with the ability to influence and lead others.
Ability to handle confidential information with utmost discretion.
Ability to support the ongoing mission and goals of UCCCC, BSD, and University of Chicago Medicine.
Team building and team development skills.
Ability to handle multiple concurrent tasks and competing priorities competently and professionally.
Application Documents
Resume (required)
Cover letter (preferred)
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Role Impact
FLSA Status
Pay Frequency
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Benefits Eligible
Drug Test Required
Health Screen Required
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
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