Associate Director for Research Finance Administration - MASSEY CANCER CENTER

Massey Cancer Center

“To improve the lives of all Virginians by delivering cutting-edge cancer care through patient-centered prevention and treatment; high-impact, innovative research; community input and engagement; and education and training of the next generation of researchers and healthcare professionals.”

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Massey Cancer Center is a nationally ranked cancer center located in the heart of Downtown Richmond. All full-time staff are eligible for our generous benefits package that includes choices for health, vision, and dental coverage, life-insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, retirement planning, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, flexible spending accounts, tuition benefits, significant paid-time off,12 paid holidays, and more. Explore our benefits further here: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/

Position Primary Purpose and General Responsibilities

In partnership with the Director of Clinical Research Operations and Management and the Executive Director for Research Strategy, the Associate Director for Research Finance Administration oversees the development, submission, and award set- up of all cancer-related funding for research proposals. This position directly supervises the functional areas of pre-award budgeting for research administration including: all research-related budget development requests made by Massey investigators, clinical research Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS) protocol calendar and Medicare coverage analysis creation, and budget/contract submissions and negotiations to external funding agencies. Additionally, the Associate Director for Research Finance Administration oversees the Clinical Trials Office annual operating budget and post- award clinical research finances.

The general responsibilities of this role are as follows:

• Serves as a liaison with institutional, local, state, federal and non-federal external agencies, communicating directly with agency personnel as necessary for finance-related research issues on behalf of the Massey Cancer Center
• Provides guidance to research finance administration staff related to required submissions and grant budgets/awards; leads Massey’s guidance to internal groups including the VCUH Office of Clinical Research, VCU Grants and Contracts, the Division of Sponsored Programs, VCU School/College/Departments and the Office of Procurement
• Provides ongoing project management and oversight for cancer research funding proposals and awards administered by Massey’s Office of Research Development and/or Massey’s Clinical Trials Office
• Monitors staff activities in the management of research submissions through the approval process to ensure all internal deadlines and sponsor requirements are met
• Leads the creation of SOPs, workflows, strategic process improvements, and metrics related to research finance administration
• Collaborates with other leadership and directs support staff to implement and change policies and/or procedures
• Oversees the management of all post-award activities for clinical trials and monitor clinical trial status, oversee communications with Principal Investigators for actions required
• Manages the development and submission of requests for post-award modifications, such as protocol amendments, re-budgeting and no-cost extensions, as required
• Works with the Cancer Center budget/finance team to ensure quality pass offs with the post award management teams and in overseeing the annual CTO operating budget
• Other job duties as assigned

Minimum Hiring Standards

• Massey Cancer Center supports a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment. The candidate will demonstrate experience that shows their commitment to fostering such an environment.
• Minimum 6 years of progressively responsible experience in direct pre/post award research administration; including having a strong working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and OMB Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards
• BA/BS degree or degree equivalency with 8 years of experience
• Proficiency and advanced experience with MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Google Suite
• Accurate data entry, word processing, analytical thinking skills
• Effective organizational skills and a strong attention to detail
• Effective professional written and oral communications skills (i.e., ability to communication with others in a clear and professional manner)
• Strong interpersonal skills (i.e., ability to work with personnel at all levels to gather information and communicate compliance requirements)
• Able to perform moderate lifting; able to sit, stand and walk for prolonged periods of time; able to read papers and online documents; able to operate standard office equipment; able to exercise physical ability and perspective acuity to satisfactorily perform essential job functions

Preferred Hiring Standards

• Experience working in an enterprise-wide clinical trials management system, grants management software, and procurement software preferred
• Master’s preferred
• Certification in Research Administration preferred
• ACRP/SOCRA/NCURA (or equivalent) certification preferred
• 8 years experience in research administration preferred