RESEARCH FINANCE SPECIALIST (PROJECT/TEMPORARY)

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

The Department of Medicine’s Division of Cardiology has an outstanding opportunity for a part-time (50% to 80% FTE), temporary Research Finance Specialist. The purpose of this position is to manage and administer the grant and financial operations of the Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) in the Division of Cardiology. The CTU is composed of the faculty program head, one research manager, one regulatory coordinator, five research coordinators, and six research support staff. The Research Finance Specialist will be a critical support member of the CTU and the division’s finance team. 

The Research Finance Specialist is required to use independent judgment, strong leadership skills, and knowledge of clinical trial business operations to effectively facilitate work flow and promote a collaborative work environment.  This position will maintain dynamic communication with principal investigators, steering committees, vendors, industry sponsors, federal agencies, program and other division staff, and numerous university departments. This position will act independently and on behalf of the program by applying knowledge of institutional, divisional, federal, and state policies and regulations. Advises faculty of rules and regulations of the University of Washington and various granting agencies and ensures compliance with those rules. 

The Department of Medicine is committed to the goals and mission of the School of Medicine and the University. This position supports the teaching and research activities by assisting the Division of Cardiology’s Clinical Trials Unit.  This position will provide finance and research grants/contracts program financial management support specifically towards these efforts.

Position Responsibilities
Duties & Responsibilities:

The Research Finance Specialist is required to use independent judgment, strong leadership skills, and knowledge of clinical trial business operations to effectively facilitate work flow and promote a collaborative work environment.  This position will maintain dynamic communication with principal investigators, steering committees, vendors, industry sponsors, federal agencies, program and other division staff, and numerous university departments. This position will act independently and on behalf of the program by applying knowledge of institutional, divisional, federal, and state policies and regulations. Advises faculty of rules and regulations of the University of Washington and various granting agencies and ensures compliance with those rules.

This position reports to the CTU Research Manager. Functional areas include grant and contract administration, clinical trial post award performance, gift processing, and oversight of the financial operations for Division of Cardiology faculty utilizing the services of the Cardiology Clinical Trials Unit.  Work of this position is evaluated in terms of adherence to program goals, budgetary limitations, and compliance with laws, regulation and general institutional policies.

The successful candidate for this position will be a member of the financial team with expertise in clinical trial finances and pre and post award management; operating independently and requiring a large amount of self-reliance, self-ruling, and autonomy.

A.  Financial Management (65%)
B.  Operations Management (30%)
C.  Other Projects as assigned (5%)

A.  Financial Management - 65%

The Research Finance Specialist is independently responsible for overall budget management in the CTU, which totals more than $4M and includes sponsored research, gifts, surplus, discretionary, endowments, and operational funds. This position serves as the program’s expert on University, state and federal regulations and conditions, and works with clinical trial research staff and faculty to operate effectively within those guidelines.

This key role will work directly with the Program Director, research manager, research staff and faculty, industry sponsors, outside institutions, and relevant UW offices to develop agreements, manage revenue and expenditures, report on the program finances, propose and manage strategic initiatives to optimize the program’s financial wellbeing. 

• Tracking study finances by keeping up to date on invoicing, projections, salary allocations, etc.

• Serves as the CTU’s financial expert in using the University’s Clinical Trials Management Software, OnCore.

• Ensures proper billing of UWP hospital charges and research charges. Represents the program’s interest with UWP on all issues related to clinical billing.

• Prepares programmatic financial reports for upper-level management as requested.

• Serves as an essential member of the Division Finance effort by contributing to Division policies and procedures, operational decision making, and serving as a peer resource for other program managers. 

• Ensures that budget proposals are adequate to meet the financial operating needs of the program and of the Division.

• Maintain up to date knowledge of research related University, Federal and State regulations inclusive of federal cost principles per OMB Omni Circular.

• Build and maintain professional working relationships with industry sponsors, national funding agencies and administrative offices on campus such as, but not limited to NIH, NHLBI, American Heart Association, Clinical Research Budget and Billing (CRBB), Grant and Contract Accounting (GCA), and the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP).

• Serve as the primary fiscal team resource and trainer for clinical trial management within the Division of Cardiology.

B.  Operations Management – 30%

The Cardiology Clinical Trials Unit requires excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills and the ability to independently assess projects and workload in order to prioritize and manage tasks and timelines.  Responsibilities include: 

• Business planning and performance reporting.  Provides reports and analyses during monthly program meetings to the Faculty Program Head and to the Division Head to support program decision making.  Identifies risks and opportunities and makes recommendations to faculty and the Section Head that support operating goals.

• Organizes and contributes to strategic planning initiatives.  Prepares and presents information to and on behalf of the program.

• Works closely with other UW Cardiology and Regional Heart Center partners to ensure successful and smooth functioning of the Cardiology Clinical Trials Unit.

• Draft and compose internal and external communications about the program on behalf of the Program Head.

• Ensures compliance with University regulations that govern the activities of the Cardiology Clinical Trials Unit and the Division of Cardiology.

- A Person in this position should keep up-to-date with activities of research staff.

C.  Other Projects as assigned - 5%

• Assist principal investigators and study team with preparation and analysis of study data for publication and grant preparation

• Participates in Division-wide workgroups, teams, and projects.

As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs.  For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here.

Minimum Qualifications 

Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration or other applicable field and two years experience working in a research, hospital, or clinic area. Equivalent experience may substitute for degree requirement.

Additional Requirements:

Advanced skills and work experience, particularly with Excel but also with Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, and financial and scheduling software
Ability to work independently and make decisions as necessary; ability to manage multiple priorities and to coordinate projects in a complex organization.

Must be highly organized, service-oriented, team-oriented, flexible and resourceful.

Specific experience with grant proposal preparation and directly supporting principal investigators.

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment that often requires responding to deadlines with short lead times

Ability to interact with people from diverse backgrounds.

Desirable Qualifications

• Understanding of theoretical objectives of clinical research projects
*Experience working with UW fiscal and administrative systems and departments.
• Experience in clinical research regulatory affairs and data collection/abstraction
• Experience with research administration

Application Process:

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter, and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.