Director, SOM RMS Community; School of Medicine, Finance

Position: Director, SOM RMS Community (School of Medicine, Central Finance)
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is seeking a Director, SOM RMS Community to support the School's Research Finance function and to lead the third RMS Community. Reporting to the Executive Director of Research Finance, the Director of SOM RMS Community will collaborate with operational stakeholders, senior leadership, and departmental administrators/directors to oversee centralized planning, administration, and implementation of sponsored research management practices for all administrative and financial aspects of sponsored and non-sponsored research accounts within Research Management Services (RMS) partnerships.

This position involves a proven track record in finance and research administration, along with a comprehensive understanding of progressive academic finance practices and firsthand knowledge of the tripartite integrated mission within the SOM. This expertise is vital for optimizing efficiencies and achieving operational goals across all SOM departments served by the RMS Community. This role requires strong leadership capabilities, including the ability to prioritize tasks effectively and foster collaboration among colleagues and stakeholders.

The role requires exceptional judgment, tact, creativity, adaptability, and initiative. The Director should be capable of producing top-tier work, demonstrating flexibility to adapt to changing priorities in alignment with organizational needs. A commitment to service, a positive outlook, and a high level of confidentiality are integral aspects of this position. Strategic thinking and representation of the SOM's sponsored research management pillar are paramount qualities expected in the successful candidate.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities Ensure optimal operations for all pre-award and post-award activities for designated departments and operational areas within the School of Medicine, as detailed in the JD addendum. In close collaboration with departmental leadership partners, this position will serve as the primary resource for strategic financial and operational planning in the research space.

Financial Operations Oversee and direct the day-to-day functions of complex award management activities within the RMS Community including: monitoring and managing research accounts (sponsored and non-sponsored), reporting, sponsored accounting pre-award and post award budgeting, submissions, effort reporting, payroll, FSR preparation and closeouts. Target, attain and maintain Dashboard compliance criteria and measures in the “excellent range” including: timely submission of FSR’s, minimizing the number of transactions over 90+ day for payroll and non-payroll cost transfers and timely certification of effort forms.

Minimize deficit balances, unbilled revenue and open receivables. Proactively identify funding gaps and/or budget variances timely. Develop corrective action plans to minimize the amount of cost overruns and small balance transfers. Identify opportunities and champion major initiatives for continuous improvement in support of internal controls and financial reporting processes. Develop in collaboration with partner departments the annual fiscal year sponsored budget;

oversee the annual sponsored budget planning and preparation for department stakeholders. Implement and manage internal audits in the sponsor space based on random samplings. Identify areas of risk/non-compliance and make recommendations for internal process adjustments as required. Collaborate with and act as point of contact with departmental faculty, departmental leadership and/or grants/financial staff regarding the planning, management and execution for optimizing all available sponsored funding.

Ensure compliance in all areas relating to…