Senior Finance Specialist, Comparative Medicine & Research Operations

The University of Virginia's Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) is seeking a Senior Finance Specialist, Comparative Medicine & Research Operations to support the financial integrity, sustainability, and strategic growth of the University's Animal Care and Use Program. This position plays a critical role in advancing UVA's research enterprise by ensuring responsible stewardship of financial resources while enabling high-quality, compliant, and innovative scientific programs.

The selected candidate will provide analytical leadership and operational support for complex research infrastructure, including vivarium operations, specialized facilities (e.g., BSL-2/3, aquatic systems), and residency training programs. Responsibilities include developing multi-year financial projections, developing rate-setting and cost-recovery models, ensuring alignment with university and federal guidelines, and identifying opportunities for operational efficiency and financial optimization.

The incumbent will work closely with the Associate Vice President for Research (Comparative Medicine & Preclinical Studies) & Attending Veterinarian, CCM leadership, OVPR finance partners, and central University finance to support long-range planning, recharge/rate setting, compliance stewardship, capital planning, and executive decision support.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategy, Planning & Decision Support

• Partner with CCM and OVPR leadership to develop and execute a multi-year financial strategy that supports sustainable growth of the Animal Care and Use Program.
• Lead multi-year financial planning and forecasting, including scenario modeling to inform strategic and operational decision-making.
• Partner with the CCM Assistant Director of Facilities to develop and maintain a capital roadmap, including lifecycle replacement planning for major equipment and infrastructure investments.
• Produce monthly and quarterly leadership dashboards and insights (e.g., utilization, cost recovery, subsidies, key cost drivers).

2. Recharge, Rate Setting & Financial Compliance

• Own the annual rate-setting and recharge compliance cycle, including:

• Methodology development and documentation

• Surplus/deficit monitoring and management

• Governance review and presentation to leadership

• Ensure financial operations align with university policy, federal cost principles (Uniform Guidance), and sponsor requirements.

• Serve as a primary finance liaison between OVPR and central finance for internal and external audits, including corrective action planning and risk mitigation.

• Partner with central finance and OVPR finance to ensure alignment on rates, subsidies, and cost recovery strategies.

3. Operations, Budget Oversight & Reporting

• Lead development, monitoring, and reconciliation of complex operating budgets across CCM facilities and programs.
• Conduct variance analysis, trend analysis, and performance metric reporting to support leadership decisions.
• Provide financial oversight of procurement, service contracts, and major equipment purchases.
• Maintain real-time budget portfolios using UVA-approved financial systems (e.g., Workday, Anaplan).

4. Stakeholder Enablement & Institutional Collaboration

• Serve as a trusted financial advisor to CCM leadership, departmental administrators, and investigators.
• Develop business cases for new services, expansions, or partnerships, including costing, pricing, and sustainability analysis.
• Provide guidance and training on recharge methodology, financial compliance, and budgeting best practices.
• Benchmark financial models and best practices with peer research institutions.

What Success Looks Like (First 6-12 Months)

• A clearly articulated, leadership-endorsed multi-year financial and capital plan for CCM.
• A stabilized, well-documented rate-setting and recharge framework with improved transparency and compliance confidence.
• Executive dashboards that enable leadership to understand utilization, subsidies, and financial risk in real time.
• Strengthened partnerships with OVPR finance and central finance, clarifying decision rights and escalation paths.

Minimum Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field required. Master's degree (MBA, MPA, or related discipline) preferred.

Preferred Experience

• 5-7+ years of progressively responsible experience in strategic financial management, budgeting, or research operations finance.
• Experience in research-intensive higher education, academic medical centers, or complex operational environments strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with recharge centers, rate development, and compliance-aligned cost recovery models highly desirable.

Financial & Analytical Expertise

• Deep knowledge of federal cost principles (Uniform Guidance), audit readiness, and institutional financial controls.
• Strong capabilities in multi-year forecasting, financial modeling, variance analysis, and decision support.

Systems & Communication Skills

• Advanced proficiency in Excel and enterprise financial systems (e.g., Workday, Anaplan).
• Ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders.

Professional Attributes

• Demonstrated judgment, accountability, and integrity.
• Ability to influence without authority in a matrixed environment.

Additional Information

• Vaccination Requirement: Compliance with UVA Health Policy OCH‑002.
• Physical Demands: This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

Position Type and Work Location

• This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits.
• This position is based in Charlottesville, Virginia, and is eligible for a hybrid work schedule following completion of required in-person training and with supervisor approval. Additional on-site presence may be required as needed, in accordance with the University of Virginia's remote work guidelines.

Additional Requirements

• Background checks and pre-employment health screenings will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.
• This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

Application Instructions

This position will remain open until filled. This is an exempt level, benefited position. The University will perform background checks on all hires (if required) prior to employment. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. For this role, the University will not sponsor or consider candidates requiring sponsorship for employment visas now or in the future. For questions about the application process, please contact Daniel Strong, Senior Recruiter at das6zb@virginia.edu.

Reference checks will be completed by UVA's third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.

Please apply online, and search for R0082429. Complete an application online with the following documents:

• Resume

• Cover letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field; multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.

Internal applicants: Search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: Bachelor''s degree required.

Experience: 2+ years of relevant professional experience required.

Licensure: None.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.