Assistant Vice President, Research Finance & Compliance presso Meharry Medical College

The Assistant Vice President (AVP), Research Finance and Compliance provides strategic leadership, oversight, and coordination of all financial, accounting, and compliance functions supporting Meharry Medical College’s research enterprise. Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (SVP/CFO), the AVP ensures sound fiscal stewardship and adherence to federal, state, sponsor, and institutional regulations governing sponsored research activity. The role encompasses comprehensive management of Research Grant Pre-Award Accounting, Research Grant Post-Award Accounting, and Research Grant Cost Accounting to ensure accurate proposal budgeting, financial tracking, reporting, and compliance across all research programs. The AVP collaborates closely with the Office of Research and Innovation, principal investigators, departmental administrators, and external funding agencies to maintain financial integrity, transparency, and operational efficiency throughout the grant lifecycle. This position also plays a key role in developing policies and processes that strengthen internal controls, enhance audit readiness, and support the long-term sustainability and growth of Meharry’s research portfolio.

Essential Functions (Principal Duties and Job Responsibilities):

Management of all research grant pre-award finance and accounting activities, including:

Maintaining an inventory of active research grant pre-award applications in process with anticipated submission deadlines.

Supporting MMC research faculty to develop the budget and financial sections of research grant applications and proposals for submission to funding agencies.

Developing research grant budgets in accordance with MMC standard methodologies, policies, and procedures.

Formatting approved MMC standardized research grant budgets as need to meet funding agency submission requirements.

Monitoring funding agency approval or denial of submitted research grants.

Management of all research grant post-award finance and accounting activities, including:

Maintaining an inventory of active research grants with major operating statistics (e.g., total award, duration, estimated annual budget, major reporting deadlines, etc.).

Opening new grant accounts in the MMC accounting system.

Supporting MMC research faculty to manage grant budgets and forecasts in accordance with MMC standard methodologies, policies, and procedures.

Provides all necessary routine financial and accounting information to funding agencies, in the format required, within contract deadlines (e.g., Federal Financial Reports “FFR”).

Provides monthly research grant budget to actual data, and other financial management reporting as needed, to each Primary Investigator or research grant leadership team, and associated management staff.

Meeting monthly with Primary Investigators or research grant leadership teams, and associated management staff at least monthly if there are substantial budget to actual variations and not less than quarterly if there are minimal budget variances.

Closing completed or terminated grant accounts in the MMC accounting systems.

Development and implementation of standardized research function cost accounting methodologies, including annual updates to indirect, administrative, and overhead allocation factors for use in research grant budgets. Management of research grant accounting and financial reporting compliance, including.

Developing and implementing research accounting and financial reporting compliance policies and procedures.

Reviewing all funding agency requests for clarification or additional financial or accounting information.

Leading the collection and submission of funding agency requested financial or accounting information in collaboration with the associated post-award accounting specialist and primary investigator(s).

Manages the performance of direct reports to ensure their areas of responsibility are functioning within industry standards and achieving annual performance targets.

Director, Research Grants Accounting

Manager, Research Grants Accounting Compliance

Senior Specialist, Research Grants Cost Accounting

Prepares annual divisional budget and proactively manages actual performance to be within budget parameters. Mentor’s direct reports, divisional managers, and supervisors in support of continuous professional development and optimum operating results.

         Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

Five (5) years of leadership experience in a similar sized academic research organization with a similar level of responsibility. Background in biomedical research, grant accounting required. Background in biomedical research, financial compliance management required.

     Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Preferred:

Experience with Workday ERP system preferred.

          Education and Experience Required:

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or related field. Graduate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or related field preferred.

Education and Experience Preferred:

• N/A

Licensure, Certification or Registration Required:

• N/A

Licensure, Certification or Registration Preferred:

• N/A

This job description reflects the general duties and responsibilities necessary to describe the principal functions of the job, as identified, and shall not be considered an exhaustive list of job responsibilities which may be inherent in the job. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. The responsibilities listed may be subject to change at any time and individuals may be asked to perform duties outside of their regular responsibilities to support the ongoing operations and mission Meharry Medical College and its facilities.

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