Duke University · 4 hours ago
Director, Finance and Administration, SOM
Durham, NC
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$78K/yr - $156K/yr
7+ years expDuke University School of Medicine is a leading academic medical center focused on improving human health through collaboration and innovation. They are seeking a Director of Finance and Administration to oversee financial operations, support budget development, and manage financial reporting for the Clinical Departments. This role involves collaborating with leadership to enhance financial performance and ensure compliance with university policies.
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Responsibilities
Supports annual operating budget process for the Clinical Departments; works directly with unit, school and university senior leadership as well as Duke University Health System (DUHS)/DHIP leadership to facilitate the promotion and development of accurate and representative budgets to support the school’s academic missions
In partnership with the Associate Dean for Finance, Assistant Dean for Data Analytics and Business Intelligence, SOM Controller and Associate Vice President, Finance, DHIP and with support from School of Medicine Finance (SOMF) analyst team, supports the development of both short- (e.g. – fall and spring financial projections) and long-range forecasts (e.g., University’s 5 Year planning effort) for the Clinical Departments
Collaborates with department leadership to jointly manage and continuously drive to improve the operating and financial performance of the school through monthly budget-variance analysis, regular assessment of revenue and spending patterns, and through the development of forward-looking projection models
Organizes and coordinates efforts of the analyst team to perform ongoing financial performance and variance analysis throughout the fiscal year in relation to budgets and projections
Regularly reviews and communicates trends in expenses and revenues with school leadership ensuring transparency of financial performance and financial risks/opportunities
Works closely with the Associate Dean for Research Administration to ensure effective integration of sponsored projects into unit budgeting and financial planning processes within clinical departments
Works closely with the School Controller to budget, project, and regularly monitor funding commitments within clinical departments
Maintains a current understanding of the financial status of all Clinical Departments through regular, structured reviews of performance against budget, projections, and/or other prior year activity
Develops and maintains close working relationships with department leaders, appropriate University and DUHS/DHIP financial managers/research administrators to ensure that the financial services meet the needs of school and its partners
Undertakes projects to improve processes and reference documentation, in alignment with University policies and procedures, to make it easier for department administrative staff to complete their work
Contributes to the development and is responsible for the promotion of accurate and timely financial and analytical reporting tools to support leadership decision-making at the department/unit and school levels
Continuously works with school leadership and University finance team to assess emerging business needs and gaps in financial/analytical reporting
Supports the development and promotion of improved analytical tools, processes, and financial reporting for clinical departments as well as school level, where applicable
Responsible for the monthly and year end close process for clinical departments
Oversees the utilization of standardized reporting tools as well as supports ad hoc requests subject to review and analysis by the Associate Dean for Finance and school, department, university, and health system leadership
Participates in testing and assessment of new university systems and reporting tools (e.g., SAP GL, A40, etc.) providing feedback on their suitability for the school; develops expertise in existing and new tools and processes; collaborates with SOMF team to disseminate these across the school
Works with the Associate Dean for Research Administration and the Assistant Dean for Data Analytics and Business Intelligence to develop improved reporting and analysis of the school's research portfolio
Manages and continuously develop a high performing team to support the Clinical Departments through regularly structured feedback, annual reviews, and professional development opportunities
Recruit and direct a staff of Finance professionals who are technically proficient, knowledgeable, customer service oriented, and demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills
In coordination with the Associate Dean for Finance, determine appropriate staffing levels and skill mix of Finance staff and organizational structure to maintain high performance
Oversee the management of personnel within the Finance group supporting the Clinical Departments including, but not limited to, recruitment and hiring, compensation, scheduling and work assignments, coaching, professional development, disciplinary action, promotions, and transfers
Oversee all components of the PEP System including performance plans, coaching and feedback, performance evaluations, and development plans
Ensure that Finance personnel stay abreast of trends in the field of financial management and clinical research and are knowledgeable about the mission, vision, and goals
Promote an open environment within the Finance group, which builds trust and provides opportunities for personnel to offer suggestions, obtain clarification, and voice concerns
Ensures compliance with University’s and School accounting, fiscal management and other applicable policies and guidelines and advises SOMF analyst team with respect to these policies
Assists in priority setting and coordination of fiscal activities to assure that institutional needs, standards, goals, and deadlines are met
Supports responses to investigative concerns raised by departments, Internal Audit office and School leadership
Develops professional development training, and trains other members of the SOMF team and departments/units on existing and new reporting and analytic tools
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, or finance or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Seven (7) to ten (10) years of experience in a financial management position with oversight and leadership of annual budgeting and financial planning, analysis, and management activities
Exceptional analytic and accounting skills
Strong working knowledge of fund accounting and sponsored research administration and finance mechanisms
Ability to serve as a high-level contributor to teams, committees, and task forces
Ability to work under pressure of time constraints and University/School deadlines
Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others at all levels of the organization
Maintains strict confidentiality and discretion in dealing with proprietary and sensitive material
Demonstrates collegial and respectful interactions in all work relationships and across all levels of the school/university
Preferred
Financial experience in a complex academic medical center or higher education
Experience with Duke University and/or other enterprise reporting systems (e.g., SAP, A40) to support financial and analytical reporting
CPA
Candidates with an MBA, CPA, or equivalent professional qualification (i.e., Certified Management Accountant, Chartered Accountant) preferred
Supervisory Experience
Benefits
Comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs
Generous retirement benefits
Wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs
Company
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university providing undergraduate and postgraduate education in medicine and other disciplines.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$71.15MKey Investors
North Carolina Biotechnology CenterUS Department of EnergyGlaucoma Research Foundation
2023-02-17Grant· $0.11M
2022-09-19Grant
2022-03-09Grant· $0.05M
Leadership Team
Barry Myers
Professor and Director
Dan Ariely
Professor
Recent News
2026-01-11
2025-12-18
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