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Advertising Summary: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’s sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.

https://vcujobs.com/why-richmond

Why Richmond?
About Richmond, Virginia: As the commonwealth’s capital, Richmond, Virginia, offers a vibrant mix of history, culture and real-world opportunities.

Unit: School Of Medicine MBU

Department: Surgery

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Senior Finance Administrator provides strategic administrative leadership for one or more functional areas, overseeing daily operations to ensure efficient service delivery and alignment with organizational goals. The role exercises independent judgment to resolve complex operational matters and serves as a liaison across departments to support operational goals. While the position may include direct and indirect reports, its primary focus is strategic operational management. Operating with substantial autonomy, the Senior Finance Administrator reports to senior leadership and carries elevated responsibility for long-range planning, compliance, and advancing department objectives.

Core Responsibilities:

Financial & Budget Management 

• Provide comprehensive fiscal leadership for the department, business unit, or central finance functional area
• Monitor and oversee all revenue and expense budgets, including grants, assets, liabilities, contracts, and operating expenditures
• Lead budget development and implementation, including assessment of funding requests and presentation of multiple budget scenarios based on forecasts and financial analysis
• Conduct ongoing analysis of spending patterns and projections to inform leadership and support sound financial decision‑making
• Oversee and administer the Faculty Compensation Plan

Strategic Budget Planning & Financial Advisory 

• Collaborate with senior leadership on budget planning, forecasting, and strategic financial decisions
• Provide technical expertise to align financial management with operational and project implementation goals
• Develop and evolve financial management tools to support multiple funding sources and organizational needs
• Create unit‑wide benchmarks and metrics; analyze trends to identify opportunities for improvement in budgeting, compliance, and financial performance

Grants, Contracts & Sponsor Financial Management 

• Serve as the primary liaison with internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance with sponsor requirements and reporting stipulations
• Lead preparation of financial reports for research sponsors by project, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
• Ensure all sponsor and stakeholder reporting deadlines are met and coordinate all regular reporting activities.
• Interpret and present complex financial information to sponsor organizations and institutional leadership

Personnel Management & Team Leadership 

• Manage and develop a team of three or more employees responsible for fiscal transactions, financial reporting, and compliance functions
• Provide oversight, mentorship, and performance guidance to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and adherence to policies and procedures
• Allocate staff resources effectively to support departmental and institutional priorities

Compliance, Controls & Policy Oversight 

• Ensure compliance with all university policies, sponsor guidelines, and applicable state and federal laws
• Develop, implement, and monitor internal financial procedures and controls in collaboration with senior leadership and appropriate VCU offices
• Prepare, interpret, and present financial documents, analyses, and reports to senior leadership to support governance, compliance, and risk mitigation

 Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or public administration and 7 to 10 years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Excellent accounting, analytical, problem solving, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, make quality decisions, prioritize multiple assignments and manage time efficiently
• Comprehensive knowledge of business principles and practices
• Knowledge of reconciliation and analysis procedures of fiscal records and reports with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, specifically advanced Excel expertise
• Experience working in higher education to include knowledge and experience in working with grant and contract procedures required
• Strong aptitude for working with all levels of administration, staff, and key constituents
• Proven ability to analyze and interpret complex financial information and communicate/present findings to individuals with varying levels of financial expertise
• Experience working in a confidential environment and the ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive information
• Ability to work under strict deadlines while exercising independent judgement and making sound decisions
• Procurement activities
• Understanding of global health, pharmaceutical and/or healthcare industries with direct experience in at least one of these industries
• A commitment to delivering responsive and superior service to current sponsors and prospective donors, as well as faculty, staff, and students
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters in Accounting, Finance, or Business
• CPA Licensure
• Working knowledge of Banner finance system and of state and university financial policies, procedures and regulations
• Experience with Sponsored Programs and Grants and Contracts administration

Salary Range: $100,000 - $135,000

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

University Job Title: 18914Y - Sr Administrator FS 1

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Mary Waite
Contact Email: Mary.waite@vcuhealth.org