Position Title: Director of Financial Strategy and Compliance (.60 FTE Exempt)

Reports to: Director

SUMMARY

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.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

STRATEGIC FINANCIAL PLANNING

• Lead the annual budget effort in close collaboration with the Controller and senior management
• Working with the Directorate, suggest and create long-term goals and budgets
• Advise on fulfillment of the Strategic Vision

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
• 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

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

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)
• Exceptional analytical skills and strong attention to detail
• Knowledge of principles of taxation, domestic and foreign

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• CPA a plus
• Track record of success in process improvements and/or system implementations or conversions, including roll-out 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
• Ability to be flexible and function well in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, including ability to be proactive to growth and change

This is a part-time (.60 FTE), exempt position with a competitive benefits package.

Salary $75,000 - $96,600 Annually

APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION

Please submit, in MS Word or Adobe Acrobat file format, the following four items of information addressed to Personnel by email to personnel@msri.org. Only complete applications will be considered.

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Date Available
• Three business references