YCCI Senior Finance Manager

Overview
The Senior Finance Manager is a key strategic leader responsible for overseeing financial planning, resource allocation, compliance, and operational efficiency within the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation (YCCI). Reporting to the Executive Director, Center Administration and Finance, this position ensures financial integrity, fiscal responsibility, and strategic alignment with YCCI’s research and clinical programs.

The incumbent will lead financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting while ensuring compliance with institutional, federal, and non-federal regulations. The Senior Finance Manager will serve as a trusted advisor to leadership, providing strategic insights to optimize resource utilization, mitigate financial risks, and support decision-making in a complex academic medical center setting.

The Yale Center for Clinical Investigation (YCCI) is a leader in clinical and translational research, offering a dynamic and collaborative environment. As Senior Finance Manager, you will play a vital role in ensuring financial sustainability, supporting cutting-edge research, and driving operational excellence. Join us in advancing human health through innovation, strategic financial stewardship, and research administration.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Planning, Analysis & Budgeting

• Lead and oversee financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting for YCCI’s diverse funding portfolio.
• Analyze financial trends, assess budget utilization, and provide actionable insights for financial efficiency.
• Prepare high-level financial reports, executive summaries, and dashboards for leadership decision-making.
• Conduct variance analysis and scenario planning to inform resource allocation and investment strategies.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and areas for strategic investment.

Financial Operations & Transaction Oversight

• Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance in all financial transactions and reporting.
• Oversee financial operations, including invoicing, procurement, and expenditure tracking.
• Implement and maintain strong internal controls to ensure compliance with Yale University and external financial policies.
• Authorize financial transactions, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and sponsor requirements.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for financial matters within YCCI’s Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program.

Risk & Compliance Management

• Maintain rigorous financial oversight of federal and non-federal grants, contracts, and industry-sponsored research funding.
• Ensure compliance with NIH, DHHS, and other sponsor regulations, as well as Yale School of Medicine policies.
• Develop and implement best practices for financial risk management, escalating critical issues as needed.
• Educate faculty and staff on financial compliance, policies, and procedures.

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Align financial strategy with YCCI’s mission, supporting clinical research, education, and translational science initiatives.
• Act as a financial thought partner to department leadership, providing recommendations for sustainable growth.
• Partner with Yale School of Medicine financial offices to optimize financial management practices.
• Lead process improvement initiatives to enhance financial workflows and operational efficiency.

Team Leadership & Development

• Supervise, mentor, and develop financial staff, fostering a culture of professional growth.
• Participate in hiring, performance evaluation, and succession planning for finance personnel.
• Provide ongoing training and onboarding to ensure financial best practices within YCCI.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive financial management experience, preferably in an academic, research, or healthcare setting.
• Master’s degree or CPA preferred.
• Professional experience in academic/corporate financial accounting field with proven ability to develop P&L’s, pro formas, and balance sheets.

Technical Expertise

• Deep knowledge of Workday Financials and other financial reporting tools.
• Expertise in fund accounting, grant management, GAAP, and financial compliance in a research-intensive environment.

Required Skills and Abilities
1. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across multiple departments.
2. Experience working in a matrixed organization, demonstrating the ability to influence stakeholders.
3. Exceptional problem-solving, analytical, and strategic thinking skills.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
1. Extensive experience with federal and non-federal research funding mechanisms.
2. Ability to synthesize complex financial data and present actionable insights to senior leadership.
3. Master’s degree or CPA preferred.
4. Proven ability to lead financial teams and drive organizational change and demonstrate personal and professional accountability.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Financial Services Manager: Provides comprehensive financial services (educational, research and/or clinical) for which (s)he is accountable. Escalates issues or concerns on financial, operational services and administrative business affairs to the Director/Associate Director Finance & Administration.
2. Financial Analyst and Advisor: With the Director/Associate Director, builds financial plans for the unit. Provides comprehensive financial information, analysis and reporting. Monitors and evaluates use of financial resources; recommends adjustments; takes action as appropriate. Oversees, monitors, and authorizes daily financial transactions per policy. Responds to financial inquiries from Dean/ Director/Chair. Identifies available financial resources (current/future); recommends efficient resource deployment to support unit objectives. Prepares all funds budgets. Enables academic leadership focus on program activities by: managing financial support services for the unit; assessing financial and/or operational challenges and opportunities and solving for and/or leveraging these working with the Director and/or others as appropriate; facilitating and strengthening the interface between unit needs/requirements and service providers and activities.
3. Risk Manager: Implements and maintains strong internal controls. Provides reasonable assurance of effective, appropriate resource use; accurate financial information; adherence to contractual obligations and agreements, policies, procedures, and external regulatory requirements. Takes corrective action to protect Yale’s assets, resources, information and reputation. Identifies, communicates, and addresses issues/concerns in a timely and appropriate manner. Ensures all faculty and staff know regulations, policies, procedures and Yale requirements that pertain to their scope of activity. Escalates issues to the Director, Finance & Administration as appropriate.
4. University Citizen: Connects the unit and University through communication, alignment of priorities, and active participation in University administrative priorities. Implements initiatives generated by the Director, Finance & Administration and the University. Represents unit needs, challenges, and opportunities at the Director, and/or University level. Creates opportunities to enhance the image and value of the unit. Shares knowledge and best practices with others.
5. Talent Manager and Developer: Effectively attracts, retains, and develops high quality talent. Collaborates with HR partners and Director in selection, performance management and career development processes, and addresses employee relations issues in accordance with University guidelines and contractual agreements. With the Director, assesses non-faculty personnel and unit’s future talent needs. Cultivates a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives in the unit. Maximizes employee performance and creates an environment that encourages professional growth and career development of employees. Plays a critical role in onboarding and orienting any new Director, Finance and Administration to the unit’s finances and book of business.
6. Strategic Resource: With the Director (and, when appropriate, with the Dean/Director/Chair or other key staff) contributes to shaping the unit's financial and operational priorities and the strategic planning process. Translates strategy into actions; assesses resources available for unit goal achievement, e.g., funding, space, technology, staff capabilities and capacity; recommends resource uses to achieve short and long-term goals; identifies factors that may impact the unit’s ability to meet its mission and goals. Recognizes and raises potential issues, ideas and solutions to Director.

Required Education and Experience
Bachelors’ degree and 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.