Academic Finance Leader

Job title: Academic Finance Leader

Job Overview

This position serves as a strategic partner in advancing the academic and research missions across Tufts Medicine (TM), Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM), and Tufts Medical Center (TMC). Responsible to align and oversee funds flow across the academic enterprises, implement efficiencies in current processes, and establish standardized sponsored fund accounting structures across the health system. Collaborate with academic, research, and clinical leaders to ensure fiscal accountability, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability of academic and research priorities.

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.

2. Fifteen (15) years of progressive financial management experience, including leadership in a complex academic healthcare environment, research and education, budget development, funds flow, and sponsored program financial management.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Master's degree in related field.

2. CPA, CMA, or CFA credential.

3. Experience in an Academic Medical Center, medical school, or integrated health system.

4. Experience with research finance, philanthropy finance, and academic budgeting (UME, GME, endowed positions, faculty appointments).

5. Experience with federal funding structures, e.g., CTSI funding, NIH funding mitigation strategies, and federal indirect cost/F&A structures.

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Oversee and integrate the research and education (academic) budgets across TM and TMC.

2. Support budget development and ongoing management of Dean/CAO office budgets, incorporating research, Undergraduate Medical Education (UME), Graduate Medical Education (GME), and faculty development.

3. Support execution of Tufts Medicine–Tufts University research priorities, including CTSI, research/education initiatives, and cluster hire funding.

4. Provide strategic oversight for research funds flow, including clinical trials (central vs. departmental models).

5. Direct funds flow between TM/TMC and TUSM, to support the research and education mission, including support for research infrastructure, shared services, educational roles including site directors, joint appointments, per-student fees, and named positions (e.g., coaches, clerkship directors).

6. Oversee faculty funding streams including endowed professorships, directorships, and joint appointments.

7. Lead development, review, and updates to research and special fund financial policies in alignment with system priorities and federal guidelines.

8. Develop financial models for NIH/F&A funding decreases and lead F&A Joint Allocation Group (JAG) processes.

9. Drive Medicare cost report optimization to maximize education-related reimbursements.

10. Support educational agreements between Tufts Medicine, TUSM, and partner institutions (including Children's Hospital).

11. Manage resident funding, and expansion planning at Lowell, Melrose, and future sites.

12. Develop and implement funds flow models that balance academic incentives with strategic investment in system-wide research and education.

13. Establish infrastructure for research and philanthropic fund accounting across the system, including F&A assessment and allocation.

14. Oversee sundry fund management and philanthropic fund compliance, ensuring optimal utilization and alignment with institutional goals.

15. Partner with TU and internal stakeholders to establish policies and processes for research and education philanthropy.

16. Ensure compliance, maximize resource utilization, and align philanthropic funding with academic and research priorities.

Physical Requirements:

1. This is largely a sedentary role, which involves sitting most of the time, but may involve movements such as walking, standing, reaching, ascending/descending stairs, and operating office equipment.

2. Frequently required to speak, hear, communicate, and exchange information.

3. Ability to see and read computer displays, read fine print, and/or normal type size print and distinguish letters, numbers and symbols.

4. Requires manual dexterity using fine hand manipulation to operate computer keyboard.

Skills & Abilities:

1. Strong leadership and team management skills and the ability to direct senior-level staff.

2. Deep knowledge of academic and research finance within a healthcare system.

3. Strong knowledge and understanding of federal research and academic funding regulations and funding mechanisms (e.g., NIH, Medicare cost reporting).

4. Strategic thinker with ability to design sustainable funds flow and financial models.

5. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

6. Analytical and problem-solving skills and ability to improve processes.

7. Ability to navigate a complex, matrixed organization with competing priorities.

Job Profile Summary

This role focuses on performing a variety of financial activities, including accounting, financial analysis, audit, tax, and collections, while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Finance Leadership duties: Controls, directs, and participates in the activities of the organization through a hierarchy of managers and supervisors. Responsibilities also include long-term strategic planning, determining the policies of the organization, and allocating its resources and making decisions regarding organization growth and diversification to accomplish entity's vision. A management role that supervises employees focusing on tactical, operational activities within a specified area, with the majority of time spent overseeing area of responsibility, planning, prioritizing and/or directing the responsibilities of employees. Goal achievement is typically accomplished through performance of direct and/or indirect reports. A role that manages experienced professionals who exercise latitude and independence in assignments. Responsibilities typically include: policy and strategy implementation for short-term results (1 year or less), problems faced are difficult to moderately complex, and influences others outside of own job area regarding policies, practices and procedures.

At Tufts Medicine, we want every individual to feel valued for the skills and experience they bring. Our compensation philosophy is designed to offer fair, competitive pay that attracts, retains, and motivates highly talented individuals, while rewarding the important work you do every day.

The base pay ranges reflect the minimum qualifications for the role. Individual offers are determined using a comprehensive approach that considers relevant experience, certifications, education, skills, and internal equity to ensure compensation is fair, consistent, and aligned with our business goals.

Beyond base pay, Tufts Medicine provides a comprehensive Total Rewards package that supports your health, financial security, and career growth—one of the many ways we invest in you so you can thrive both at work and outside of it.

Pay Range:

$162, $207,541.52