Director, Research Finance & Sponsored Programs

Location Address:

9521 San Mateo NE
Albuquerque, NM 87113-2237

Summary:

Job Description:

Key Responsibilities

Sponsored Programs & Grant Administration

• Provide enterprise oversight for all sponsored awards, grants, contracts, and externally funded activities.
• Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and controls supporting compliance with federal, state, sponsor, and organizational requirements.
• Ensure proper financial management, reporting, and stewardship of sponsored funding.
• Monitor compliance with award terms, contractual obligations, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure accurate accounting and financial reporting for sponsored programs.

Research Finance & Financial Compliance

• Oversee accounting structures supporting grants, contracts, and research activities.
• Ensure integrity of financial systems and reporting used for sponsored awards.
• Support organizational compliance with Uniform Guidance and other funding requirements.
• Partner with Finance leadership to ensure accurate reporting and financial stewardship.
• Develop processes that strengthen transparency, accountability, and audit readiness.

Research Administration & Operational Support

• Partner with senior leadership to support organizational research strategy and growth initiatives.
• Facilitate operational review and approval processes for new research activities.
• Support coordination with the Institutional Review Board and other governance functions.
• Serve as an enterprise resource regarding research billing, study activation, regulatory requirements, and financial implications of research activities.
• Provide guidance to operational leaders regarding research administration best practices.

Research Billing Compliance

• Oversee enterprise research billing compliance activities.
• Maintain and update Research Billing Compliance Plans.
• Review and evaluate research billing processes and controls.
• Partner with external consultants and internal stakeholders to support coverage analysis and billing compliance reviews.
• Ensure adherence to Medicare Clinical Trial Policy and applicable payer requirements.

Budget Development & Study Financial Management

• Collaborate with research leaders to develop study budgets and financial forecasts.
• Review and negotiate research-related budgets with industry sponsors and funding agencies.
• Evaluate the financial viability of proposed research activities.
• Provide recommendations to leadership regarding funding opportunities and resource allocation.
• Monitor performance against approved budgets and funding commitments.

Enterprise Risk Management & Compliance

• Identify emerging risks related to research, sponsored awards, grants administration, and billing compliance.
• Collaborate with Compliance, Legal, and Internal Audit regarding risk mitigation strategies.
• Evaluate regulatory changes and organizational impacts.
• Develop action plans that strengthen compliance and reduce organizational exposure.
• Ensure readiness for audits, reviews, and regulatory inquiries.

Process Improvement & Innovation

• Lead enterprise process improvement efforts related to research administration and sponsored programs.
• Standardize workflows and improve operational efficiency.
• Leverage technology and automation opportunities where appropriate.
• Create scalable processes that support continued research growth.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop research finance and sponsored programs staff.
• Establish performance expectations and accountability measures.
• Foster collaboration, professional development, and operational excellence.
• Build organizational capability in sponsored programs administration and research financial management.
• Support succession planning and talent development initiatives.

Success Measures

Within the first 12-24 months, the Director will be expected to:

• Strengthen enterprise compliance related to sponsored awards, research administration, and billing activities.
• Improve financial stewardship and reporting accuracy for grants, contracts, and sponsored programs.
• Enhance research billing compliance and reduce organizational risk.
• Improve sponsor budget development and negotiation processes.
• Increase operational efficiency and reduce administrative burden through process improvements.
• Successfully support audit readiness and regulatory compliance efforts.
• Build strong partnerships across research, finance, compliance, legal, and operational teams.
• Create scalable systems that support the continued growth of research activities across Presbyterian.

Additional Job Description:

Experience

Required

• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in: Research Administration Sponsored Programs Grants Management Research Finance Healthcare Finance Compliance Academic Medical Center or Health System Research Operations
• Experience administering federally funded grants and contracts.
• Knowledge of Uniform Guidance and federal grant regulations.
• Experience managing research-related financial and compliance activities.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and teams.

Preferred

• Health system, academic medical center, or research institute experience.
• Research patient billing compliance experience.
• Study budget development and contract negotiation experience.
• Experience supporting Institutional Review Boards and research governance activities.
• Workday and enterprise financial systems experience.

Preferred Certifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Certified in Healthcare Research Compliance (CHRC)
• Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC)
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA)
• Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator (CPRA)
• Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA)
  

Benefits
Benefits are effective day-one (for .45 FTE and above) and include:

• Competitive salaries
• Full medical, dental and vision insurance
• Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
• Free wellness programs
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Retirement plans, including matching employer contributions
• Continuing education and career development opportunities
• Life insurance and short/long term disability programs

About Us
Presbyterian Healthcare Services is a locally owned, not-for-profit healthcare system of nine hospitals, a statewide health plan and a growing multi-specialty medical group. Founded in New Mexico in 1908, it is the state's largest private employer with approximately 11,000 employees.

Presbyterian's story is really the story of the remarkable people who have chosen to work here. Starting with Reverend Cooper who began our journey in 1908, the hard work of thousands of physicians, employees, board members, and other volunteers brought Presbyterian from a tiny tuberculosis sanatorium to a statewide healthcare system, serving more than 700,000 New Mexicans.

We are part of New Mexico's history - and committed to its future. That is why we will continue to work just as hard and care just as deeply to serve New Mexico for years to come.

About New Mexico
New Mexico's unique blend of Spanish, Mexican and Native American influences contribute to a culturally rich lifestyle. Add in Albuquerque's International Balloon Fiesta, Los Alamos' nuclear scientists, Roswell's visitors from outer space, and Santa Fe's artists, and you get an eclectic mix of people, places and experiences that make this state great.

Cities in New Mexico are continually ranked among the nation's best places to work and live by Forbes magazine, Kiplinger's Personal Finance, and other corporate and government relocation managers like Worldwide ERC.

New Mexico offers endless recreational opportunities to explore, and enjoy an active lifestyle. Venture off the beaten path, challenge your body in the elements, or open yourself up to the expansive sky. From hiking, golfing and biking to skiing, snowboarding and boating, it's all available among our beautiful wonders of the west.

AA/EOE/VET/DISABLED. PHS is a drug-free and tobacco-free employer with smoke free campuses.

Who We Are

Here, we’re committed to a different way to make a difference.

Presbyterian's story is really the story of the remarkable people who have chosen to work here. Starting with Reverend Cooper who began our journey in 1908, the hard work of thousands of physicians, nurses, employees, board members, and volunteers brought Presbyterian from a tiny tuberculosis sanatorium to a statewide healthcare system, serving more than one in three New Mexicans.

We are part of New Mexico's history and committed to its future. That is why we will continue to work just as hard and care just as deeply to serve New Mexico for years to come.