Vice President Research Finance

Reporting to the Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer (SVP/CFO) of Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), the Vice-President of Research Finance (VPRF) is responsible for the overall operation, execution, oversight and coordination of the College's Office of Sponsored Programs Finance (SPF). Serves as a partner to BCM's Vice-President of Research Administration (VPRA), and together, works with leadership of Baylor's academic departments and centers to ensure the compliant and efficient administration of sponsored programs for the College.

The VPRF will continually assess, develop, maintain, and lead the implementation of comprehensive plans for post-award research administration, fostering institutional integrity and fiscal stewardship. Key responsibilities include organizational processes, policy development, monitoring internal controls, overseeing SPF staff recruitment, training and development, and together with the VPRA, engaging with stakeholders across BCM to support the institution's research mission. Works collaboratively with other College leaders in monitoring and adjusting implementation of the operational strategy/plan pertaining to post-award activities and compliance.

This position is eligible for an annual performance-based bonus.

This is an onsite role with the future potential for hybrid work arrangement.

Job Duties

• Provides support and guidance for the organization of post-award research administrative services and the establishment of policies and procedures associated with maintaining a compliant post-award financial management ecosystem under current federal, state and other sponsor requirements.
• Directs all aspects of sponsored research finance operations and post-award management service to the Research Community.
• Leads the development and evaluation of BCM post-award/research finance policies/procedures and related implementation plans for BCM’s research finance function.
• Continually assesses BCM’s functional requirements in delivering efficient and effective post-award finance support. Works with the VPRA and BCM’s academic community to promote a robust research administration ecosystem, including the establishment of service level agreements (SLAs) for core OSPF functions (i.e. account setup, wage transfer approvals, invoicing and receivables management, effort certification, etc.). 
• Partners with the VPRA in leading all cost principal(s) and post-award/research finance training activities for the BCM research community, including principal investigators, staff, and central administration. Assist research administration with the development of policies and training programs that ensure adherence to federal mandates on research compliance (i.e. grant financial monitoring, effort reporting, procurement regulations)
• Holds principal responsibility for SPF’s support of the annual financial statement and uniform guidance audit (i.e. 2 CFR 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards ) processes.
• Works with the BCM research community, internal and external auditors, and other stakeholders to develop campus-wide financial monitoring and audit plans.
• Contributes to strategic goals and work plans, represents the office on post-award and related financial matters, and ensures consistency and transparency in post-award functions.
• Monitors evolving regulatory landscape announcements (i.e. Federal Register, DHHS/NIH, etc.) for related to federal regulations for grants and contracts.
• Partners with VPRA and BCM’s Office of General Counsel to provide written interpretations of the potential implications for BCM’s Research Mission.
• Partners with Finance and the VPRA in the development and implementation of strategic financial plans, accounting procedures and other initiatives across BCM’s Research Mission. 
• Collaborates with the Office of Clinical Research (OCR) leadership and develops programs to ensure appropriate financial controls within BCM‘s clinical research program, including policy development, clinical procedure rate establishment and clinical billing of sponsors.

Minimum Qualifications

Required: Bachelor’s degree. Required: Fifteen years of directly related experience with five years of supervisory experience.

Preferred: Master’s degree. Eleven years of directly related experience with five years of supervisory experience.

Department Specific Criteria

• Experience in research administration and/or finance in an academic medical center or higher education setting.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills are required.
• Experience in process development, process redesign, and change management are all required.
• Strong ability to organize, analyze and translate data into actionable management reporting and implementation planning is required
• Knowledge of Post-Award sponsored programs financial administration, state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to research, higher education policies and procedures on allowable use of funding for awards of grants, contracts, and other sponsored projects are required.
• A deep understanding and operational experience with Institutional Cost Accounting Standards and advanced principles of research administration, budgeting under federal and state cost accounting standards and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) circulars, and working with auditors on individual projects are essential.
• Please include a cover letter as part of the application.  

Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.