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 multiyearfinancial 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 forresearch 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, workingclosely with grants and contracts management, financial administration, and researchadministration to ensure compliance with institutional financial policies and external fundingrequirements.
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.
