Executive Director of Research Financial Services

The University of California, Santa Cruz is centralizing the institution's financial research administration function (previously a divisional model). We are recruiting for a leader to shape and develop the new centralized team. The Executive Director should have strong subject matter expertise in executing post-award activities and financial policy, and experience and interest in change management, organizational design, process optimization, and team building. Preference for this position will be given to applicants who are able to work a hybrid schedule.

This position may be considered for hybrid or remote work, subject to the terms of a telecommuting agreement and dependent on the needs of OR leadership and the research community. Preference for this position will be given to applicants who are able to work a hybrid schedule. While telecommuting, the employee is responsible for ensuring a worksite environment suitable for accomplishing their regular job duties during scheduled hours of work and, if applicable, arranging for dependent care just as they would if they were working in person at a UCSC worksite. The position requires periodic presence on campus for meetings, events, and other in-person responsibilities. Candidates should be able to commute to campus as required. The position is subject to the terms of a telecommuting agreement.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 10/27/2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Office of Research has primary responsibility for research policy, planning and administration of the UC Santa Cruz Research enterprise. The Office of Research supports the research community through six units: the Office of Sponsored Projects, Research Development, Office of Research Compliance Administration, Research Financial Services, Innovation and Business Engagement, and the Office of Research Business & Operations.

JOB SUMMARY

The Executive Director of Research Financial Services oversees the team that is responsible for managing the comprehensive financial portfolios of UC Santa Cruz researchers for the Academic Divisions, including extramural funded contracts, grants, and sub-awards, as well as start-up and gift funds. The Executive Director ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, sponsor requirements, and university policies. This position is responsible ensuring comprehensive and effective fiduciary compliance, and achievement of campus goals and priorities related to research and financial management. Establishes operational objectives and work plans, and delegates assignments to subordinate supervisors and staff. Manages and mentors a team of financial research administration professionals. Contributes to development, enhancement, and implementation of organization policies governing post award administration by assessing current practices and establishing new policies in collaboration with campus leaders. Functions as the campus expert for complex policy and award terms, and trains staff and Principal Investigators (PI) to interpret award terms, manage project changes, and ensure compliance. Works closely with academic divisional leaders to develop and maintain processes (HR, start-up, gift administration) that support efficient post award management and compliance. Addresses and resolves complex issues related to sponsored award management.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $170,000 - $185,000/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 000382 (CONTRACTS AND GRANTS MGR 2) - Grade 26

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

60% - Management and Leadership

• Responsible for organizational planning and coordination of team work plans.
• Manage and mentor direct reports, providing training and professional development, either formally or on-the-job, for staff to ensure subject matter knowledge in appropriate areas (e.g., sponsored project administration, post-award administration, etc.).
• Responsible for hiring new employees, and recommending salary actions.
• Responsible for providing on-going feedback, writing performance evaluations and addressing performance concerns in a timely manner, through coaching counseling and progressive discipline, up to and including termination actions.
• Identify and resolve financial policy issues that arise during the course of post award administration activities.
• Manage and resolve award management-related escalations brought forward from staff, department/division administrators, and faculty.
• Communicate regularly with OR leadership on unit activities and on pertinent operational or human resources issues. Advise leadership on complex award administration issues.
• Participate in the OR leadership team.
• Provides fiscal counsel to Principal Investigators in relation to the successful fiduciary oversight of the relevant portfolios of sponsored awards and internal accounts.
• Contributes to the development and reporting of metrics, trends and statistical analysis. Uses this data to recommend and implement process improvements to optimize productivity, reduce costs, and streamline workflow.

30% - Policy and Process Development

• Make recommendations in policy development and monitoring of policies and procedures for department or department operations.
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for campus research financial management functions.
• Coordinate with academic divisional leadership around shared processes.
• Develop and implement ideas for more effective processes and service. Participate in critical analysis of existing systems, identifying system enhancement opportunities.

10% - Training

• Deliver specialized trainings and develop content for education workshops in the area of financial research administration.
• Provide guidance, support, and training to other unit staff on complex award management, post-award responsibilities, and life-of-award compliance.
• Serve as a campus-wide subject matter expert for research financial services support.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent experience and/or training.
• Extensive experience interpreting and applying generally accepted accounting principles, federal regulations, sponsor policies, and university policies governing sponsored research, including the Uniform Guidance (2 C.F.R. Part 200), Federal Acquisition Regulation, and Code of Federal Regulations.
• Proven experience in supervising, mentoring, training and evaluating professional staff.
• Expertise in managing a complex and high volume portfolio, including funds management, budgeting, and ensuring expenditures align with award terms and university policies.
• Strong knowledge of industry best practices in a university environment. Advanced ability to implement and manage broad-based grant management best practices and procedures.
• Strong verbal communication skills.
• Strong written communication skills.
• Sound judgment and decision-making, critical thinking, and creative problem solving.
• Experience in organizational development, strategic planning, change management, and team priority-setting.
• Ability to develop unit-wide plans and policies to improve post-award operations and resolve complex compliance or fiscal issues.
• Ability to perform highly complex financial analysis and customized reporting.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in related area.
• Experience developing and/or implementing strategic and project-centric approaches for management of complex awards (such as program project, center grants, clinical trials, multi-site awards, etc.).

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work a hybrid work schedule and must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy covering all employees. To be compliant with the policy, covered employees must submit proof of vaccination or have an approved exception or deferral, eight (8) weeks from date of hire.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information, and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.