Director Research & Endowment Accounting

Job Overview

This role will be remote with the expectation of coming onsite when needed. The selected candidate must live and work from one of the New England states (ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT).

The Director of Research and Endowment Accounting plays a critical leadership role in managing the financial operations related to research activities including grants, gifts, royalties and institute‑supported research. This position ensures compliance with complex regulatory requirements, supports faculty and research teams, and oversees the accurate reporting and stewardship of institutional resources. The Director collaborates across departments including Grants Administration, Clinical Trial Administration, Development, and the Office of Sponsored Programs to support the Institute’s mission of advancing medical research and education.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana‑Farber Cancer Institute brings together world‑renowned clinicians, innovative researchers and dedicated professionals, allies in the common mission of conquering cancer, HIV‑AIDS and related diseases. Combining extremely talented people with the best technologies in a genuinely positive environment, we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all ages; we conduct research that advances treatment;

we educate tomorrow's physicians/researchers; we reach out to underserved members of our community; and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School‑affiliated hospitals.

• Lead the post‑award financial management of federal, state, industry, and foundation‑sponsored research projects, setting standards and ensuring disciplined portfolio oversight. Ensure full compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), NIH and other agency‑specific regulations, and institutional policies throughout the award lifecycle. Drive continuous improvement in sponsored project governance and risk management.
• Develop, implement, and monitor robust policies, procedures, and internal controls to safeguard research funds and uphold compliance. Oversee cost transfers, subrecipient monitoring, and closeout procedures, establishing clear approval workflows and accountability. Provide training and guidance to research administrators to reduce errors and prevent noncompliance.
• Oversee the preparation and submission of timely, accurate sponsor financial reports, invoices, and reconciliations, instituting quality checks and KPI tracking. Lead internal and external audits, including the Single Audit and sponsor‑specific reviews, and coordinate remediation plans. Serve as the primary point of contact for sponsor financial inquiries and ensure audit readiness across the portfolio.
• Partner closely with Principal Investigators, research administrators, and clinical departments to deliver proactive financial oversight and guidance. Provide strategic insights to senior leadership on research growth, budgeting, and long‑term sustainability, including forecasting and scenario analysis. Facilitate transparent communication on funding risks, opportunities, and performance.
• Direct endowment and gift fund accounting and financial reporting, ensuring strict adherence to donor restrictions and institutional spending policies. Collaborate with accounting and treasury to reconcile investment activity and calculate endowment income allocations. Maintain accurate records of endowment gifts, pledges, and fund restrictions to support fiduciary accountability.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with the Philanthropy team to design and deliver timely, insightful stewardship reports for donors, including bespoke or ad‑hoc performance and impact reporting for the PMC and other key donors and stakeholders. Support donor stewardship and development initiatives with high‑quality financial narratives and analyses. Lead system implementations and enhancements for research and endowment accounting to improve data integrity, reporting automation, and operational efficiency.
• Supervises a team of finance managers and analysts. Hire, develop, and manage staff to achieve organizational goals. Set clear expectations, deliver feedback,…