Assistant Director, Research Finance

Overview

Overview

Cures Start Here. At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, home to three Nobel laureates, interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists seek new and innovative ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases. Fred Hutch’s pioneering work in bone marrow transplantation led to the development of immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of the immune system to treat cancer. An independent, nonprofit research institute based in Seattle, Fred Hutch houses the nation’s first cancer prevention research program, as well as the clinical coordinating center of the Women’s Health Initiative and the international headquarters of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. Careers Start Here.

The HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) Laboratory Center is part of an international collaboration of scientists and educators searching for effective and safe vaccines. The HVTN’s mission is to facilitate the process of testing preventive vaccines against HIV/AIDS. The Laboratory Center has an annual budget of more than $25 million and employs approximately 200 employees throughout the program. The organization conducts all phases of clinical trials from evaluating experimental vaccines for safety and the ability to stimulate immune responses through to testing vaccine efficacy. The HVTN Laboratory Center is seeking an Research Finance Assistant Director.

The Research Finance Assistant Director is responsible for driving all activities related to financial planning, grants and contracts, bugeting and analysis for the HVTN Laboratory Center, related grants and Division activities. This position will report to Director of Program Operations, Immunology and Vaccine Development (IVD) Program and will be a valued consultant to the Senior Vice President and Director, VIDD/HVTN Principal Investigator. The position will drive the international grants and contracts, budget and planning process for the Laboratory Center, as well as perform financial analysis. This position will provide strategic direction for a long-range financial view of the grant life cycle and beyond, while taking into consideration internal and external variables and constraints. Significant experience in complex sponsored research projects and financial analysis as well as a demonstrated track record as a leader who values teamwork, collaboration and communication are critical for this role. The ability to effectively communicate financial complexities to a range of audiences is essential.

The Research Finance Assistant Director will also manage a small team and will leverage Division and organizational resources to accomplish goals. In addition, this position will work closely with HVTN Leadership Operations Center, HVTN Statistical Data Management Center, Finance and Accounting as well as across functions (Office of General Council, Business Development & Strategy, IT and Human Resources). The position requires an ability to direct and manage multiple priorities, quickly analyze situations and make sound decisions using effective time management skills, good business acumen, and administrative judgment.

Responsibilities

A. Financial Strategy and Operations

• Provide direction and support to the Senior Vice President and Director, VIDD/HVTN Principal Investigator, on the financial strategy and planning of the HVTN Laboratory Center and related activities.
• Develop and maintain key reports for reporting performance against the budget, internal and external requirements to drive accountability and transparency. Prepare information and reports that forecast trends, analyze performance results, and address financial concerns.
• Establish and drive the annual budget and planning process including communicating across HVTN programs and Center leadership.
• Oversee and monitor all grant and fiscal activities within the HVTN Laboratory Center Programs including all national and international sites. Establish and comply with financial requirements of NIH and/or the specific funding agency as well as Fred Hutch policies.
• Assist the Director of Program Operations-IVD and VIDD Senior Operations Director and in the development of short and long term planning of financial resource management, in monitoring spending levels on accounts, advising them of any change in spending status, and troubleshoot/resolve problems or questions regarding budgets.

B. Team Leadership

• Manage a small team of fiscal staff.
• Establish a regular cadence of HVTN Laboratory Center Financial meetings including the tracking and monitoring of agendas and action items.
• Serve as coordinator and contact between members, study investigators, oversight committee and working group leads on all financial matters.
• Serve as a special advisor to VIDD financial teams for financial management related to sponsored and non-sponsored finance, forecasting and best practice.  

C. Financial Reporting and scientific related visits/meetings

• Coordinate specific reports as requested by the Division of AIDS, NIH (DAIDS)
• Serve as the primary point of contact on all post-award financial activities for sponsor communications in coordination with the Principal Investigator.
• Oversee the submission of the annual progress report including budgets to DAIDS and related reports.
• Maintain communications and track fiscal team group progress. Communicate and track timelines and milestones.
• Create and maintain a system or executive report for portfolio financial reporting for the Senior Vice President and Director, VIDD/HVTN Principal Investigator that includes summary and detailed reports for each grant and active account.
• Develop reports and/or systems that forecast trends, analyze performance results, and address financial concerns.

D. Other Duties

• Continuously improve the budget and forecasting process and reports, including championing data structure and support.
• Assist with financial negotiations related to the Laboratory Center in partnership with Senior Vice President and Director, VIDD/HVTN Principal Investigator, Senior Operations Director, VIDD, Director of Program Operations-IVD, Business Development and Fred Hutch administration, upon request.
• Perform other related duties as assigned including, but not limited to, financial support related to complex agreements, Board reporting and related due diligence.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field; MBA is preferred
• 7-10 years of progressively complex experience in research finance and/or administration of department financial processes and systems including a minimum of 5 years experience working with sponsored research (NIH required)
• Minimum three years experience leading a team including direct supervision of staff
• Advanced Excel modeling skills and proficient in MS Office Suite applications
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Experience with Tableau and related data presentation software
• Knowledge of NIH grant application procedures, budget monitoring, databases, and financial terms

Key skills and abilities

• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to work independently are essential to success in this position, as are good communication and organizational skills
• Ability to work under pressure, and maintain confidentiality
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks, organize, and work both independently and as part of a team
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to work independently are essential to success in this position, as are good communication and organizational skills
• Must be flexible and willing to work some evenings and weekends as needed

Our Commitment to Diversity

We are committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity and VEVRAA Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We are an Affirmative Action employer. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply and desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to our Employee Services Center at escmail@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.