Assistant Director of Financial Affairs, Office of Research

Req Id: 42719

Job Title: Assistant Director of Financial Affairs, Office of Research

City: West Lafayette

Job Description:

Job Summary

The Assistant Director, Financial Affairs will provide strategic and operational leadership for financial management and business office support across assigned units within the Office of Research and the Discovery Park District Institutes. This role serves as a key liaison between units and the Office of Research, central administrative offices, and other campus partners, ensuring effective communication, compliance, and alignment with University priorities. The Assistant Director will direct the management of finances and business office operations, including leading sponsored research financial management for the unit and providing comprehensive business and financial support to Vice Presidents and Associate/Assistant Vice Presidents within assigned areas. The position plays a critical role in advancing the University's research mission by leading financial planning, forecasting, and analysis; preparing and implementing financial and management reports; and developing budget recommendations to support both short- and long-range strategic decision-making.

This position represents a dual-level posting and will be filled at either the M3 or M4 level. The hiring manager will determine the job level based on the skills, experience, and qualifications of the selected candidate.

Responsibilities Include:

• Serve as the resource/liaison for the Department to the Office of Research and central offices.
• Provide proper interpretation of University, Federal, State and sponsoring agency policies and procedures.
• Collaborate closely with central business services operations and other related entities in meeting the strategic goals of the University.
• Play a key role in the preparation of financial and management reports to support long-range planning forecasts; budget recommendations, planning, and analysis; and financial analysis and strategic financial management of the units they support.
• Lead special projects and initiatives in collaboration with the Director of Financial Affairs.
• Responsible for developing and implementing reports to support short-and long-range forecasting and making budget recommendations.
• Direct a team of finance support and professional staff in the execution of account management for units and faculty.
• Serve as mentor and key resource person to peers within the Business Office.
• Maintain a unit that provides excellent business management support to Directors, faculty, staff and students.

What Were Looking For:

Senior Manager (M3)

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree, preferably in Business Administration, Management, Finance, or related field of study.
• Four years of experience in account management, financial management, or related experience.

Assistant Director (M4)

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree, preferably in Business Administration, Management, Finance, or related field of study.
• Six years of experience in account management, financial management, or related experience.

Skills Needed:

• Proven ability to manage complex and high-profile financial portfolios.
• Strong verbal/written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with limited guidance sought for complex projects.
• Excellent planning, problem-solving, organizational, project-management and customer service skills.
• Strong quantitative skills with ability to synthesize complex information and produce quality management reports.
• Ability to analyze, interpret and implement University policies and procedures.
• Ability to influence and build working relationships among a diverse workforce at all levels.
• Must be able to foster a participative supervisory style that utilizes accountability, respect, and teamwork to successfully guide the work of others.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that allows for demands of reporting, implementation of new projects, etc. at times outside of normal business hours
• Learning orientation toward changing technology impacting business processes.
• Personal computer and related software skills (e.g. Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and Outlook).

What is Helpful:

• A demonstrated knowledge of research and University regulations and basic proficiency in all technical and professional skills related to business office and research account management.
• Knowledge of SAP, Cognos and Banner.

Additional Information:

• Purdue will not sponsor an employment related visa for this position
• A background check will be required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contributions Waiting Period

Purdue University is an EO/EA University.

Career Stream

Management 3

Target Salary: $85,000

Management 4

Target Salary: $98,000

Apply now

Posting Start Date: 6/19/26