Senior Director of Finance

Senior Director of Finance Dean of Research, Stanford, California, United States Thank you for your interest in Stanford University. While we have instituted a hiring pause for non-critical staff positions, we are actively recruiting for the positions currently listed on our careers page.

Please note:

The application portal will be offline for maintenance from May 7 at 7 PM to May 8 at 3 AM (PT). Job Summary

DATE POSTED

Apr 21, 2026 SCHEDULE Full-time

JOB CODE

4458 EMPLOYEE STATUS Regular GRADE N REQUISITION ID 108884 WORK

ARRANGEMENT

Hybrid Eligible Stanford University is seeking a Senior Director of Finance for the Office of Vice Provost and Dean of Research (VPDoR) to lead the financial planning and management for the independent labs, institutes and centers and research administrative and compliance offices within the VPDoR. Under the direction of the Senior Associate Dean and working alongside three senior financial analysts on the team and finance leads across 20 units, the senior director develops and manages long-range budget plans that inform strategic decision-making, oversees the annual financial cycle that underpins the fiscal health of a growing and evolving organization, and facilitates compliance of financial processes and systems in accordance with university and federal policies. The ideal candidate builds strong teams and mentor talents; collaborates across function to align financial goals; translates complex data into actional insights; tell the "stories behind the numbers"; leverages automation to improve processes and reporting accuracy; identifies and mitigates financial risks; and moves beyond backward-looking reporting to influencing long-term strategy.

CORE DUTIES

• Design, establish, and maintain an organizational structure and staffing to effectively accomplish the organization's goals and objectives; oversee recruitment, training, supervision, and evaluation of staff.
• Lead, execute and communicate operational and long range budgets, forecasting and strategy; direct business operation and administration functions; may manage oversight of post award sponsored research administration and services.
• Identify and resolve strategic problems that affect the overall functioning beyond the immediate schoolunit that have potential university wide impact.
• Make strategic decisions using complex, comprehensive analyses, high level financial modeling; provide information and context to leadership to support senior leadership decisions.
• Provide strategy, vision and direction that have wide scope and impact, make recommendations, influence issues related to university finance and accounting policy.
• Partner to design and establish appropriate programs to provide a strong system of internal controls to protect and steward university resources.
• Partner across the university to determine new and ongoing business and technology initiatives.
• Direct high-visibility process redesign and innovation projects; champion major initiatives, and develop and drive implementation of project initiatives.
• Represent the schoolunit at the university level and to external constituencies.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education & Experience:

Master's degree and eight years relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Supervisory experience preferred. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• User knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Advanced knowledge of Oracle or other business financial systems.
• Advanced understanding of financial principles.
• Advanced oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to clearly and effectively present information to internal and external audiences, client groups and all levels of management.
• Strong analytical skills to review and analyze complex financial information.
• Strong leadership skills, previous experience in strategic management and leading large multi-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to delegate workload and providing directioncorrections.
• Demonstrated competency in project management of a high volume of work, some of which is cyclical.
• Knowledge of procurement needs, including sole-sourcing, cost analyses, vendor requirements, and small business reporting.
• Demonstrated success in performing meticulous, high quality and compliant work.
• Ability to interpret complex research and fiscal policies, assimilate information from a wide range of resources and act like a mentor and resource to others.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• : • Constantly sitting.

• Frequently perform desk-based computer tasks, use telephone, writing by hand, sortfile paperwork.
• Occasionally standwalk, liftcarry objects weighing 11-20 pounds.
• Rarely reachwork above shoulder.
• - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Routine extended working hours during peak cycles; travel to schoolunit sites across university

WORK STANDARDS

Interpersonal Skills:

Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.

Promote Culture of Safety:

Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.

• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, adminguide.

stanford.edu. This is a hybrid position that is expected to work onsite three days a week. The expected pay range for this position is $234,433 to $270,414 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on a wide range of factors that are unique to each candidate including but not limited to geographic location, knowledge, skills and abilities, relevant education, depth and breadth of experience, performance; as well as other business and organization needs such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the minimum qualifications, departmental budget availability, and market and internal equity across the unit, department and reporting relationships. At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website provides detailed information on Stanford's extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process. Why Stanford is for You Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

• Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
• A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
• A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
• Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
• Enviable resources.

Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more! The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned. Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form. Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.