Virginia Tech

Job Description

The Assistant or Associate Director of Finance is responsible for the financial compliance and operations of the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), Virginia Tech’s largest research institute with $40 million in annual sponsored funding and expenditures. Management level of either assistant or associate director will be determined based on the credentials of the successful candidate.

At the Assistant Director level, this position plays a key supporting role to VTTI’s leadership team. At the Associate Director level, this position serves as an essential member of VTTI's leadership team and primary point of contact with university officials for finance. *

This position has responsibility for business development, administrative leadership, research administration, and resource planning, including leadership and coordination of institute financial planning, debt financing, operations budget management and sponsored research budget management. The Assistant or Associate Director of Finance will ensure institute accounting procedures are in compliance with university, federal, state and contractual regulations. The incumbent will be accountable for the accounting operations of the institute, to include design and implementation of periodic financial reports, maintenance of an adequate system of accounting records, and a comprehensive set of controls designed to mitigate risk and enhance the stability of the Institutes fiscal infrastructure.

• At both the Assistant and Associate levels, this role offers strong potential for advancement within VTTI's leadership structure for high performing individuals who demonstrate strategic insight, operational excellence, and collaborative leadership.

Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Team Management: Supervise and lead the finance team, ensuring effective collaboration and productivity.
• Fiscal Compliance: Ensure all financial activities comply with university, state, and federal regulations.
• Financial Oversight: Oversee the financial operations of VTTI’s research portfolio, including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
• Policy Development: Develop and maintain financial policies and procedures to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate financial risks associated with research projects.
• Audit Coordination: Coordinate internal and external audits, ensuring timely and accurate responses to audit inquiries.
• Resource Allocation: Manage the allocation of financial resources to optimize the impact of research funding.
• Stakeholder Communication: Communicate financial information and insights to senior leadership, researchers, and other stakeholders.
• Strategic Planning: At the Associate Level, this position will contribute to strategic financial planning and decision-making to support the research goals of the organization.

Directions given and received:

• The Assistant or Associate Director of Finance will report directly to VTTI’s Chief Finance / Operating Officer.
• The successful candidate will lead VTTI’s fiscal team, consisting of multiple fiscal technicians and post-award managers.
• Interface regularly with VTTI’s pre-award team, project management office, and research team members.
• Collaborate with the Virginia Tech (VT) Controller's Office, the VT Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), VT Procurement, VT Contracts, VTTI Pre-award, VT Legal, and VT Risk Management to ensure compliance with state, federal, and university guidelines and procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in management, accounting, finance, or a related field (Bachelor’s Degree for Assistant level, Master’s degree preferred for Associate level)
• Experience in accounting or bookkeeping roles, preferably within small businesses
• At the Assistant Level – demonstrated proficiency in performing financial analyses and producing clear, accurate reports to support operational needs; at the Associate Level – proven track record of developing comprehensive financial reports and delivering actionable insights and analytics to leadership to inform strategic decision-making
• In-depth knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control principles
• Expertise in developing and updating written procedures and guidelines
• Proven supervisory experience
• Ability to multitask, prioritize assignments, and train others in a high-volume, team-oriented environment
• Highly organized and detail-oriented
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficient in MS Excel and other standard office software (Word, PowerPoint, Teams)

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in management, accounting, finance, or a related field
• Advanced certification such as CPA, CRA, or CMA
• Experience leading research administration in a university or research setting
• Familiarity with university, state, and federal research administration policies and guidelines
• Experience in accounting or bookkeeping roles, preferably within small businesses
• Proficiency with Banner software
• Experience managing diverse funding sources (e.g., state, foundation, external funding)
• Familiarity with large enterprise financial and reporting systems

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience

Hours per week

40

Review Date

6/20/2025

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Natalie Jett at njett@vtti.vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.