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Director Research & Endowment Accounting

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Brookline, MA
This role will be remote with the expectation of coming onsite when needed. The selected candidate must live and work from one of the New England states (ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT)

The Director of Research and Endowment Accounting plays a critical leadership role in managing the

financial operations related to research activities including grants, gifts, royalties and institute supported

research. within the Institute. This position ensures compliance with complex regulatory requirements,

supports faculty and research teams, and oversees the accurate reporting and stewardship of institutional

resources. The Director collaborates across departments including Grants Administration, Clinical Trial

Administration, Development, and the Office of Sponsored Programs to support the Institute’s mission of

advancing medical research and education.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute brings together world renowned clinicians, innovative researchers and dedicated professionals, allies in the common mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. Combining extremely talented people with the best technologies in a genuinely positive environment, we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all ages; we conduct research that advances treatment; we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers; we reach out to underserved members of our community; and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

  • Lead the post-award financial management of federal, state, industry, and foundation-sponsored

research projects, setting standards and ensuring disciplined portfolio oversight. Ensure full

compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), NIH and other agency-specific regulations,

and institutional policies throughout the award lifecycle. Drive continuous improvement in sponsored

project governance and risk management.

  • Develop, implement, and monitor robust policies, procedures, and internal controls to safeguard

research funds and uphold compliance. Oversee cost transfers, subrecipient monitoring, and

closeout procedures, establishing clear approval workflows and accountability. Provide training and

guidance to research administrators to reduce errors and prevent noncompliance.

  • Oversee the preparation and submission of timely, accurate sponsor financial reports, invoices, and

reconciliations, instituting quality checks and KPI tracking. Lead internal and external audits,

including the Single Audit and sponsor-specific reviews, and coordinate remediation plans. Serve as

the primary point of contact for sponsor financial inquiries and ensure audit readiness across the

portfolio.

  • Partner closely with Principal Investigators, research administrators, and clinical departments to

deliver proactive financial oversight and guidance. Provide strategic insights to senior leadership on

research growth, budgeting, and long-term sustainability, including forecasting and scenario

analysis. Facilitate transparent communication on funding risks, opportunities, and performance.

  • Direct endowment and gift fund accounting and financial reporting, ensuring strict adherence to

donor restrictions and institutional spending policies. Collaborate with accounting and treasury to

reconcile investment activity and calculate endowment income allocations. Maintain accurate

records of endowment gifts, pledges, and fund restrictions to support fiduciary accountability.

  • Collaborate cross-functionally with the Philanthropy team to design and deliver timely, insightful

stewardship reports for donors, including bespoke or ad-hoc performance and impact reporting for

the PMC and other key donors and stakeholders. Support donor stewardship and development

initiatives with high-quality financial narratives and analyses. Lead system implementations and

enhancements for research and endowment accounting to improve data integrity, reporting

automation, and operational efficiency.

  • Supervises a team of finance managers and analysts. Hire, develop, and manage staff to achieve

organizational goals. Set clear expectations, deliver feedback, and monitor performance for quality,

efficiency, and compliance with policies and procedures. Mentor staff, foster career growth, and

cultivate a positive and productive work environment.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

  • Deep understanding of federal grant regulations, including NIH, NSF, and other agency

requirements, as well as Uniform Guidance.

  • Familiarity with the financial operations of academic medical centers, including clinical trials, cost

recovery, and indirect cost allocations.

  • Ability to align financial practices with institutional research and philanthropic goals.
  • Skilled in interpreting complex financial data and identifying trends, risks, and opportunities.
  • Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with faculty, researchers, development officers, and

external partners.

  • Understanding of and experience with ERP systems, grants management platforms, and advanced

Excel functions.

  • Commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and stewardship.
  • Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and managing competing priorities in a dynamic

environment.

  • Ability to drive process improvements and lead teams through organizational change

Supervises a team of Finance Managers and Analysts

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Education Preferred

Master's Degree

Area of Study Required

Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.

Area Of Study Preferred

Accounting, Finance, Healthcare Administration, or a related discipline strongly preferred. Continuing education in research administration,

endowment management, or healthcare finance preferred.

Experience Required

8 years of relevant financial experience in an academic or healthcare environment, with a

minimum of 5 years of experience managing a team of financial professionals.

Experience Preferred

10 years of relevant experience.

Pay Transparency Statement

The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)

$180,500 - $209,900

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

EEOC Poster
Posted 2025-11-27

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