This position is based on Stanford’s main campus with consideration given to the option for a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite and offsite), subject to operational need. Interested candidates must include a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.
About Us
The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability strives to create a future when humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity. The school is made up of a three-part structure to drive global impact: Our academic departments and programs educate students and create new knowledge across areas of research that are crucial for advancing the long-term prosperity of the planet and people; Institutes bridge scholarship at Stanford and beyond, bringing multiple viewpoints to bear on urgent challenges; The Sustainability Accelerator drives new policy and technology solutions through a worldwide network of partners who work with our teams to develop solutions at a global scale. The school is dedicated to creating and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, and to creating solutions that benefit all people, particularly those most affected by environmental damage and climate change.
For more information on the school, click here.
Precourt Institute for Energy
As part of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, the Precourt Institute for Energy concentrates the talents of the University on energy research and education, from basic science and technology to policy and business. We disseminate research results and help the University develop energy-literate leaders as part of its educational mission. We work across campus in all seven of Stanford’s schools. We also convene and build collaborations globally with industry, other research institutions, government, and civic organizations in pursuit of sustainable, affordable, secure energy for all people.
Job Description
The Precourt Institute has a multifaceted structure that serves as an umbrella organization to our many independent and diverse units. Reporting to the chief of staff, the finance associate director will be responsible for the financial management and research administration of the institute and its many cross-campus university initiatives (Bits & Watts Initiative, StorageX Initiative, Hydrogen Initiative, Natural Gas Initiative, Sustainable Finance Initiative), cross-cutting research programs (New Zero Energy Alliance, Strategic Energy Alliance, Technology Transfer for Defense, Energy Equity and Just Transitions, Precourt Pioneering Projects, Stanford Energy Research Consortium, the Stanford Energy Postdoctoral Fellowship), a new center for Sustainable Transportation, and five growing education programs (Energy Executive Education, Explore Energy, Understand Energy, Hacking for Defense, and Climate Energy Ventures). We are also currently exploring new initiatives and an alumni energy engagement program, with other new programs in the works.
A new focus is to establish a team of academic staff researchers to develop a systems analysis approach to support and serve faculty in their research pursuits connecting research to real-world solutions and providing grant proposal writers to secure DOE and DOD government funding. This team will serve Precourt’s one of three primary pillars (research, analysis, education). An outcome will be to secure large government research grants, which will require additional research administration staff to support post award activities.
The primary responsibility for the finance director will be to manage the day-to-day financial operations and activities for the institute, develop intricate models to evaluate our diverse financial goals and strategies for our varied many programs and initiatives that function independently within the Precourt umbrella; contribute to critical evaluation of existing financial structures and processes to identify needs for new systems or financial models; administering our internal controls across our institute’s copious units; collaborate with leadership to understand operational requirements and develop streamlined processes for practical reporting, budget planning, forecasting and scenario evaluation; provide financial guidance, training, and mentoring to direct reports and to our team of program managers.
Additionally, the finance director will supervise a team and perform the typical financial operations to manage the annual budget cycle and financial processes, provide comprehensive reports, identify and resolve complex analytical issues, conduct forecast and what-if scenarios, implement processes to improve efficiencies and internal controls, identify and develop solutions to improve workflow effectiveness and best practices for productivity standards, and manage compliance with university policies and procedures. This position will be tasked with having a significant role in performing ad hoc analysis and developing reports to support Precourt’s leadership and is expected to be a key contributor for the financial management of the Institute.
Your Responsibilities will include:
Leadership
- Direct the work of the finance team and lead financial operations of program managers for the Institute’s initiatives and programs.
- Manage performance, provide on-boarding, coaching, training, and mentoring of direct reports and our many institute program managers and institute administrators.
- Oversee or supervise staff in development and implementation of programs or functions.
- Provide recommendations to leadership for changes to reflect the most appropriate business and operational models.
- Manage staff in day-to-day financial activities of the Institute.
Finance Management
- Manage the development, implementation, administration and evaluation of finance activities to meet the individual objectives for the institute’s several initiatives and programs.
- Coordinate with all key stakeholders (managing directors and managers) to prepare and produce quarterly budget reports, mid-year and year-end annual reports, variance reporting, projection analyses and goals, executive dashboards, and reports for key metrics.
- Build and refine financial models to meet management requirements, working with managing directors of research initiatives and programs, Advisory Council, and school finance team.
- Execute year-end accounting and annual budgeting process.
- Ensure the institute has optimal audit management and internal controls in place and develop system and requirements to support the financial reporting for the organization.
Research Administration
- Manage sponsored research administrative functions across the institute’s programs.
- Oversee running and compliance of research administration for the institute.
- Manage research administrators overseeing awards management.
- Collaborate with the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and Office of Sponsored Research.
- Implement new or changing university and government regulations to the institute’s operations.
- Oversee management of externally sponsored research agreements.
- Direct post award sponsored research administration and services.
- Serve as the institute’s local resource and specialist on matters and policies relating to sponsored research administration.
Partnership
- Partner with chief of staff in strategic planning of new program budgets and funding goals.
- Analyze multifaceted financial data, including variance explanations, trend analyses, financial analyses, alternative modeling, and forecasting evaluation to support operational goals, providing recommendations.
- Create sophisticated models, dashboards, and reports to provide valuable high and low-level financial information.
- Design and manage effective financial strategies to meet the institute’s mission and goals.
- Provide chief of staff recommendations in shaping short-term and long-term financial planning to ensure the Institute has adequate resources to meet institute’s goals and objectives.
- Partner with chief of staff to create high level reports and presentations to managing directors, faculty directors, and Advisory Council.
- Ensure institute and its research and education initiatives and programs have optimal audit management and internal controls.
Additionally, strong relationship management is expected as the finance director may represent the institute in financial functions with external units such as the Doerr School of Sustainability Finance Team, Office of Research Administration, Office of Development Donor Relations, Dean of Research, Finance Management Service, and other schools as required.
To be successful in this position, you will need:
- Bachelor's degree and six years relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.
- 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 and management skills with previous experience managing people, delegating workload and providing direction/corrections as necessary.
- Managing sponsored projects, ability to manage post and pre-award administration for sponsored projects within his/her unit. Knowledge and fluency of governmental regulations and Cardinal Curriculum level I and II.
- Knowledge of procurement needs, including sole-sourcing, cost analyses, vendor requirements, and small business reporting.
- Experience working successfully with PIs, their administrative staff, the office of sponsored research and external sponsors.
Join Stanford in shaping a better tomorrow for your community, humanity and the planet we call home.
