Associate Director, Area Management Center

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America's leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You.

The Office of the Provost, Finance & Administration is seeking a highly collaborative and analytically minded Financial Management Analyst III (Working Title: Associate Director, Area Management Center) to join our team. In this role, you will support the financial management, research administration, and compliance activities that help advance Duke's academic, research, and strategic priorities.

Reporting to the Director of Financial Business Services, you will provide oversight and guidance across a complex management center that includes 8 schools, 10 institutes and centers, and more than 20 support units, auxiliary services, and strategic initiatives. You will work closely with finance leaders, research administrators, business managers, and senior academic leadership to support sound financial stewardship, effective grants administration, and compliance with university and sponsor requirements.

This role offers an opportunity to influence financial strategy across a diverse portfolio of academic and research units. You will analyze complex financial data, support budgeting and planning processes, oversee research administration activities, monitor sponsored project financial performance, and serve as a trusted advisor on financial and compliance matters.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree is required in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of six years of experience in financial management, research administration, grants management, sponsored projects administration, financial analysis and reporting, budgeting, or financial modeling.
• Demonstrated ability to apply financial management principles within a research or grants administration environment.
• Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with pre-award and post-award research administration activities.
• Experience supporting sponsored projects management, grants administration, and research compliance.
• Familiarity with Duke financial systems, policies, and procedures.
• Experience providing financial oversight across multiple programs, departments, or organizational units.
• Advanced knowledge of financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting methodologies.
• CPA, MBA, CRA, or other research administration certification preferred.
• Experience supervising staff and managing performance.
• Advanced proficiency with SAP, Microsoft Excel, and financial reporting tools such as Analysis for Office.

Other Requirements

• Strong customer service and relationship management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, large volumes of data, and competing deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to present complex financial and research administration information to diverse audiences, including senior leadership.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

This position is hybrid eligible and requires working onsite at Duke University offices in Durham, North Carolina, 2-3 days per week. Employees should be able to work effectively from home on remote workdays using available technology and must reside in a Duke-approved state.

Be Bold.

Position Description:

Lead budget development and financial planning activities (20%)

• Coordinate and support annual budgets, fall and spring projections, multi-year financial planning, and capital planning processes for assigned schools, institutes, and administrative units.
• Analyze financial performance against approved budgets and forecasts, identif