Director, Finance and Business

The Director of Finance and Business for the Research & Innovation Division of Meharry Medical College reports directly to the Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation and is responsible for the financial stewardship, business operations, and administrative infrastructure that support the Division’s research mission. The Director oversees research financial planning and analysis, sponsored-project financial management, budgeting and forecasting, resource allocation, compliance, and business process improvement.

Essential Functions (Principal Duties and

Job Responsibilities ):

Grant Lifecycle Management:
Serves as a key point of contact throughout all stages of the grantlifecycle—from submission to closeout—collaborating with program staff, finance managers, faculty, the Unified Grants Hub and Research Information Technology Center, and other institutional units to maintain financial stewardship.

Budget Development & Financial Planning:
Leads the development of the annual budget and multiyear financial plan, preparing comprehensive budget proposal packages covering revenue and expenses for the division’s Budget Hearings.

Strategic Resource Allocation:
Ensures budget availability to support financial resource allocation for research initiatives in alignment with the College’s strategic priorities under the guidance of SVP, Research and Innovation.

Financial Operations & Compliance:
Oversees core financial operations and management, working closely with grants and contracts management, financial administration, and research administration to ensure compliance with institutional financial policies and external funding requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

Exceptional analytical and financial modeling skills

Ability to independently manage complex, large-scale projects from start to finish; results-driven, proactively seeks creative solutions to challenges and gaps in information

Ability to build strong relationships at all levels of the organization, unquestionable integrity, and flexible/adaptive working style

Strong written communication and presentation skills; comfortable and experienced at presenting to senior-level audiences Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Preferred:

Strong Proficiency in financial reporting and forecasting

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other financial analysis tools

Education and Experience

Required:

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Accounting, Finance, or other business-related fields

Five or more years of experience in a Financial Analysis/Management, Accounting or Finance position

Experience in a similar-sized organization with a similar level of responsibility

Able to articulate and present leveraging both in visual and written form to senior leadership

Demonstrated ability to lead teams and drive results

Education and Experience Preferred:

Master’s degree or higher in Accounting, Finance, or Business strongly preferred.

Background in academic health sciences and education industry strongly preferred.

Experience with Workday ERP system preferred.