The Director of Financial Strategy and Compliance serves as internal partner to the Controller, Directorate, Board, and other key stakeholders on financial matters by making recommendations, suggesting pro-active strategies, and creating long and short-term goals and budgets. The position ensures that MSRI has the procedures in place to support effective financial reporting and operation. The incumbent will possess a mix of leadership skills and hands-on involvement to work as part of the finance team to enhance the financial reporting related to scientific, education and outreach programs.
CONTRACT AND GRANT ADMINISTRATION
- Review grant proposal budgets prior to submission and participate in revisions with Controller
- Be one of two designated persons to submit completed grant proposals (reviewed and approved by the Controller) using various online portals
- Monitor compliance with federal and private grant terms
- Prepare the annual re-application for the Indirect Cost Rate for all government contracts, as reviewed by the Controller, and submitted and implemented within guidelines
- Be the secondary designee to perform the NSF cash-draw process
GENERAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
- Drive best financial practices by maintaining standard financial policies and procedures, and monitor adherence
- Train staff in the administration of accounting policies and procedures
- Maintain and improve internal controls and process improvements to strengthen the organizations compliance with GAAP, implementing Title 2 CFR Part 200 standards
- Ensure that systems are in place to guarantee timeliness and accuracy
- Attend monthly close meetings
- Set strategy for staff adherence to the finance department filing structure, including digital files
- Advise the Controller in preparing financial reports as needed
COMPLIANCE
- Ensure that record keeping meets the requirements of auditors and government agencies
- Periodically perform internal audits of transactions
- Stay abreast of new developments and lead staff in emerging accounting standards, government guidelines, and relevant tax laws and trends, and communicate and implement changes proactively and strategically, as appropriate
- Monitor the reliability of control systems
- Identify key elements of the financial risk profile
OTHER
- Other duties as assigned
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum B.S. or B.A. in Accounting or Finance, MBA preferred
- Minimum 10 years nonprofit financial management experience with some relevant time having served in a high-level position
- Government grant accounting and compliance experience with the National Science Foundation, National Security Agency and/or an equivalent federal agency required
- Extensive experience in grants management including corporate, foundations and government grants.
- Experience with indirect cost rate development and application to appropriate grant costs
- Ability to develop a clearly defined and focused business vision; skilled at both thinking with a strategic purpose as well as creating a vision
- Expert computer skills including but not limited to MS Office suite, database software, accounting software, Internet usage. Good knowledge of Financial Edge Accounting software (Blackbaud)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- CPA a plus
- Track record of success in process improvements and/or system implementations or conversions, including rollout of complex accounting initiatives throughout an organization
- Exceptional communication skills and effective at communicating to all levels of management and staff
- Ability to work independently and efficiently, establish priorities, multi-task, and establish and meet deadlines with changing assignments and priorities
- Exceptional analytical skills and strong attention to detail
- Knowledge of principles of taxation, domestic and foreign
- Ability to be flexible and function well in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, including ability to be proactive to growth and change
APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION
Please submit, in MS Word or Adobe Acrobat file format, the following four items of information addressed to Personnel. Only complete applications will be considered.
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Date Available
- Three business references
This is a part-time (.60 FTE), exempt position with a competitive benefits package.
Salary $75,000 - $96,600 Annually