Careers

General Summary: 

The Director of Finance will provide high-level strategic leadership and support for the financial and administrative goals of the School for Global Inclusion and Social Development (SGISD) and its institutes, including the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) and the Institute for New England Native American Studies (INENAS). The incumbent will have authority and responsibility over all aspects of the financial management and operations of the Institute and School, including grants management, managing the budget and accounting functions for the units; and will provide overall leadership, direction and assistance in budgetary preparation. The incumbent will analyze a variety of financial information; provide direction and support in making yearly spending recommendations while maximizing the use of funds; and for ensuring overall operations are within the unit’s budget.

The Director of Finance will work closely with the Associate Dean, and the Director of the ICI, and with assigned Principal Investigators (PIs) on all aspects of financial administration, including provision of analysis and modifications and helping with special projects when needed; will be responsible for supervising the work performed by grant-administrator staff; and will work in collaboration with the Office for Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP), the Office of Budget and Financial Planning (OBFP), the Office of the Provost, and other central administrative units at the University. When authorized by the Institute Director, the incumbent will serve in their absence with the authority to make and implement financial decisions.

Examples of Duties: 

• Provide high-level strategic leadership and support for comprehensive business management for the School and its Institutes, including analyses of project costs versus expenses, funding structures, and opportunities for efficiency improvements.
• Provide overall leadership, direction, management and technical advice and assistance in budgetary formulation, analysis of and the management and monitoring of budgets of the School and its Institutes; monitor budget allocations, expenditures, fund balances and related financial activities for the purpose of ensuring that allocations are accurate, revenues are recorded, expenses are within budget limits and/or fiscal practices are followed.
• Prepare an annual consolidated budget for the School and provide regular budget and analytical information to the Dean, Associate Dean, and Director of the ICI; analyze and evaluate budget requests.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Dean and other members of the CEHD Research Administration Team to inform decisions about budgetary matters.
• Serve as a member of the Research Administration Team and support one another during planned absences or leaves, to support team culture and collective efforts.
• Serve as the central liaison between the School and the College, including its institutes and centers, and various offices on campus, including the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) and Administration and Finance (A&F) to endure the smooth financial and administrative operations and that the unit’s administrative operations are in compliance with university policies and procedures.
• Manage accounting functions for both sponsored and non-sponsored accounts including accounts payable and receivable, ensuring accuracy and timeliness; monitor spending for adherence to budget as well as university and sponsor policies and practices, and recommend variances as necessary.
• Collaborate with Principal Investigator(s) (PI) in the preparation of grant applications to ensure completeness; create project budgets and budget narratives, obtain and verify necessary approvals, and when appropriate recommend changes to applications to PIs and/or other proposal development staff.
• Oversee the processing of non-competing continuations, progress reports, supplements, and other award/agreement amendments.
• Liaise with external grant managers on subcontracts applications and renewals; interact directly with sponsors on financial matters related to grants and contracts.
• Provide assistance to PIs and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) in negotiating contract terms and conditions with external sponsors and collaborators, including but not limited to governmental entities, NGO’s and other universities.
• Maintain current knowledge of sponsor requirements, procedures and areas of interest; maintain familiarity with applicable Federal regulations (i.e. OMB Uniform Guidance), policies, guidelines, latest applications and amendments.
• Provide technical assistance to PI with contracts, budgetary compliance, processing and reporting of grants.
• Support PIs in subrecipient monitoring and reporting.
• Oversee the submission and processing of purchase orders, contracts for services, personnel action forms and other forms as necessary and train administrative staff in these functions; Serve as departmental and Dean’s level approval.
• Oversee and manage all internal and external audits to ensure compliance.
• When authorized by the Institute Director, serve in their absence with authority to make and implement financial administration decisions.
• Represent and advocate on behalf of SGISD/ICI at meetings with other units of the university concerning financial oversite and research administration functions; serve on appropriate committees and councils.
• Assist in the development and implementation of departmental policies and procedures and participate in initiatives to improve departmental processes related to the conduct of sponsored programs.
• Orient, train and supervise new grant administrator staff; Provide indirect supervision over administrative support-personnel within the unit.
• Help define and monitor best practices for financial management and research administration as it pertains to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Develop and participate in specialized training activities related to sponsored programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

Master’s degree in business or finance required, and a minimum of seven to ten (7-10) years of relevant professional experience, is required.  Higher education experience strongly preferred.   

Prior supervisory experience required.  Demonstrated pre-award and post-award financial management experience with all types of award mechanisms, including grants, contracts, subcontracts and cooperative agreements experience is required.  Demonstrated knowledge of program administration guidelines (for example OMB Uniform Guidance, PHS Grants Policy Statement, FAR) of Federal funding agencies is required.

Supervisory experience in research/grant administration is preferred. Experience in human-subject compliance, intellectual property, conflict of interest, procurement, and/or human resources is preferred.  Membership in professional organizations such as SRA and/or NCURA is preferred.

• Proficiency in Excel and other administrative software applications.
• Knowledge of federal agency regulations including OMB Uniform Guidance and PHS Grants Policy Statement, FAR.
• Knowledge of and skill in the use of electronic sponsored program services systems, e.g., Grants.gov, NSF Fastlane, and commons.
• Knowledge and working understanding of the complexities in negotiating contracts and other business relationships with international customers, partners and collaborators including ability to work with different business cultures.
• Knowledge and application of university policies and procedures. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritize and work under pressure in a deadline-oriented environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, as well as the ability to be flexible and highly organized.
• Strong commitment to customer service.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Application Instructions: 

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date. 

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting.  All other candidates will be considered after that period. 

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link: 

Grade: 34             

Salary Ranges

This is an exempt union position. 

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact HRDirect@umb.edu or 617-287-5150.