Senior Director of Finance and Administration

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Senior Director of Finance and Administration

Hybrid remote Research!America, Arlington, VA $160K - $175K

Job Summary

Research!America is building on a year of significant impact, advancing science as a national priority through strategic advocacy, coalition leadership, and deep engagement with policymakers. As Senior Director of Finance and Administration, you will steward the financial and operational foundation that powers this momentum, ensuring Research!America continues to grow responsibly and amplify its influence.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial guidance to the Board of Directors, including the Finance and Audit Committees
• Supervise the part-time Controller and the Director of Operations and Human Resources
• Cultivate professional growth, accountability, teamwork, and collaboration within a supportive work environment
• Collaborate with staff across the organization on grants management and provide grant accounting and timely reporting to program leads
• Evaluate, update, and implement all necessary accounting policies, procedures, and practices as well as business practices
• Oversee the investment portfolio, maintaining regular communication with account managers at the investment firm and making recommendations to the Finance Committee for changes in investments or asset allocations within Research!America's investment policy
• Serve as trustee and plan administrator for the retirement plan
• Manage the organization's insurance coverage and risk management initiatives
• Manage the relationship with Research!America's banking institution and other vendors supporting finance and administration
• Manage contract administration, working with outside legal counsel as necessary
• Provide oversight of office operations, including leading the process to identify office requirements to secure new office space prior to the current lease expiration in August 2027

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance (CPA preferred)
• 10+ years of progressive nonprofit finance and accounting and general operations leadership, with at least 5 years as a controller or similar senior finance and administration
• Extensive knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) with proven experience leading audits and preparing IRS Form 990
• Ability to communicate complex financial data to non-finance stakeholders, including boards of directors and program staff
• Prior experience supporting board committees
• Experience with oversight of investments and endowments
• Demonstrated experience with grant accounting and budgeting for foundation grants and other non-federal funding sources
• Proficiency with fund accounting systems (e.g., Sage 100) and financial management tools
• Comfortable evaluating systems and improving processes through technology
• Administrative experience to include HR, IT infrastructure, compliance, risk management, and general operations of a nonprofit

About Research!America

Research!America is a nonprofit medical and health research advocacy alliance that advocates for science, discovery, and innovation to achieve better health for all. Together with our member organizations that represent a vast array of medical, health, and scientific fields, our goals are:

1. Achieve funding for medical and health research from the public and private sectors at a level warranted by scientific opportunity and supported by public opinion.
2. Better inform the public of the benefits of medical and health research and the institutions that perform research.
3. Motivate the public to actively support medical and health research and the complementary sciences that make advances possible.
4. Promote and empower a more active public and political life by individual members of the research community on behalf of medical and health research, public health, and science overall.

Staffing Advisors

Staffing Advisors is committed to reducing bias in every aspect of the hiring process. We have long recommended a competency-driven approach to hiring. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position description; we will consider people from a variety of backgrounds and career experiences.