Associate Vice President Finance and Operations

The Associate Vice President for Finance & Operations (AVP-FO) is a rare executive opportunity to shape and scale a nearly $600M research enterprise on its path to $1B. As the Chief Business Officer for the Office of the Vice President for Research & Innovation, you will drive enterprise-wide financial strategy, oversee complex operations, and partner with top university leadership to fuel innovation, discovery, and impact.

This high-visibility role blends strategic vision with operational excellence—guiding multi-year financial planning, optimizing research funding models, and strengthening the infrastructure that supports world-class faculty and groundbreaking research. You’ll lead diverse teams, influence institutional investment decisions, and ensure financial integrity in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

We’re seeking a collaborative, forward-thinking leader with deep expertise in research finance, a track record of driving growth and transformation, and the ability to translate complexity into clear strategy. If you’re ready to make a lasting impact at scale, this is your opportunity to lead at the forefront of research innovation.

Reporting directly to the Vice President for Research & Innovation (VPRI) with a dotted line to the Office of the Deputy CFO, the Associate Vice President for Finance and Operations (AVP-FO) serves as the Chief Business Officer for the Office of Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) and the research enterprise, providing comprehensive financial, operational and administrative leadership to ensure the long‑term fiscal sustainability, and strategic growth of a nearly $600M+ research portfolio.

This includes collaboration with Central Finance and the Controller’s Office that has oversight of Indirect Cost Recovery (ICR) strategy, enterprise‑level financial planning, resource allocation, and the strategic deployment of institutional funds to support progress toward the university’s $1B research goal.

The AVP‑FO brings deep financial expertise, advances data‑driven decision‑making, and fosters a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement. Working closely with the leadership of the OVPRI, the role will have financial oversight of key institutional functions such as research support services, internally funded research programs, research space and core facilities, research computing and data infrastructure, the policies that govern research administration and operations, and the human resources functions and daily business operations that support research activities.

Reporting directly to the Vice President for Research and Innovation, and working closely with other campus leaders including the Provost, deans, and central administrative units, the AVP-FO provides financial and operational strategy for all facets of budget planning and business process innovation. The AVP-FO in collaboration with the leadership of the OVPRI also serves as a resource for campus‑wide research administration matters such as facilities and administrative (F&A) cost waivers, cost‑share commitments, and institutional investments.

Provide executive financial leadership for the OVPRI and the broader research enterprise, aligning fiscal strategy with institutional priorities and the goal of growing annual research expenditure from nearly $600M to $1B.

• In consultation with VPRI and leadership of the OVPRI, facilitate financial implementation and monitoring of the Strategic Research Priorities Plan.
• Develop multi-year financial plans, scenario modeling, and growth forecasts.
• Guide and facilitate strategic investment of institutional funds (startup, bridge, match, equipment, incentive programs).
• Work with the Controller’s Office to assist with setting of F&A rate strategy and optimization.

Ensure sound fiscal stewardship, transparency, and operational excellence across all OVPRI units.

• Oversee financial management and development of multiple fund sources.
• Direct financial reporting, projections, and expenditure controls.
• Demons…