Research Finance & Portfolio Manager (Remote Opportunity)

🔍 School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States

New

📁: Finance

📅   : 3 hours ago Post Date

📅   : 109009 Requisition #

Research Finance & Portfolio Manager – Computational Medicine (Fully Remote)
Stanford University | Department of Medicine

Join Stanford’s Division of Computational Medicine and help power some of the most ambitious, data-driven research initiatives in healthcare today. Our faculty are leaders in artificial intelligence, data science, and biomedical innovation—driving large-scale, multi-institutional research that is transforming clinical care and translational science.

We are seeking a Research Finance & Portfolio Manager (RA3) to support a dynamic portfolio spanning both sponsored and non-sponsored funding, including complex federal awards, industry collaborations, and cross-sector partnerships. This is a fully remote role offering flexibility, autonomy, and the opportunity to work on high-impact research at scale.

About the Role

In this role, you will serve as a key partner to faculty to manage a diverse portfolio across sponsored and non-sponsored funding, supporting the full lifecycle of research administration from proposal development through closeout. You’ll develop and oversee complex budgets, ensure compliance, and provide clear financial insights to support decision-making.

You will work on multi-million dollar, multi-institutional projects, navigating evolving funding structures and collaborating with internal and external partners. This is a fully remote, highly collaborative environment that offers the opportunity to take ownership of complex portfolios and contribute to research that is shaping the future of healthcare.

What You’ll Do

Lead the development and submission of complex proposals across sponsored and non-sponsored funding, including multi-center grants, clinical trials, and collaborative team science initiatives.
Build and manage comprehensive budgets and long-range financial plans, integrating diverse funding sources and aligning with strategic priorities.
Serve as a trusted partner to faculty, advising on funding strategy, compliance, and portfolio management.
Oversee post-award management, including expenditure review, forecasting, and compliance across a diverse set of funding mechanisms.
Navigate and support complex award structures, including subawards, contract negotiations, and multi-institutional collaborations.
Develop financial models, dashboards, and reports that provide clear, actionable insights into portfolio performance and projections.
Ensure compliance with federal, sponsor, and university policies, translating complex regulations into practical guidance.
Lead award closeouts and audit processes, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and adherence to requirements.
Identify and implement process improvements, including tools and systems to streamline financial tracking and reporting.
Mentor and support colleagues, contributing to a collaborative and high-performing remote team.

What Makes This Role Unique

Work on high-impact research portfolios at the intersection of AI, data science, and healthcare.
Support large-scale, complex awards that go far beyond standard grant administration.
Partner with world-class faculty and cross-disciplinary teams across Stanford and external institutions.
Operate in a role that blends strategy, finance, and operations—not just transactional work.

What You’ll Gain

Exposure to complex, multi-million dollar funding portfolios rarely seen at this level.
The opportunity to build expertise in multi-institutional and team science funding models.
Visibility and partnership with senior faculty and leadership.
A strong foundation for growth into lead RA, management, or specialized expert roles.
The flexibility of a fully remote environment with a team that values trust, communication, and collaboration.

Qualifications

Strong knowledge of research administration across sponsored and non-sponsored funding.
Expertise in federal regulations (FAR, CAS, OMB circulars) and university policies.
Advanced financial and analytical skills, including proficiency in Excel and reporting tools.
Experience managing complex portfolios, multi-project awards, and subawards.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills in a remote environment.
Exceptional attention to detail, organization, and ability to manage competing priorities.
Experience with process improvement and systems development is a plus.

Application Instructions

Please submit a resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in this role and how your experience aligns with managing complex research portfolios. In your cover letter, we encourage you to highlight experience with sponsored and non-sponsored funding, multi-institutional collaborations, and/or large-scale awards.

A Final Note

We recognize that no candidate will bring every single skill listed above. If you bring strong research administration experience, a collaborative mindset, and an interest in growing into a more complex and strategic role, we encourage you to apply.

Duties include:

Prepare complex proposals within parameters of sponsored and non-sponsored research guidelines. Oversee and communicate submission process, both paper and electronic; resolve issues relating to proposal preparation and submittal process.
Develop, prepare, revise, and finalize project budgets, and provide budget justification; obtain cost sharing commitment and support. Serve as liaison and active partner between principal investigators, Office of Sponsored Research, research groups, and other departments; respond to sponsor inquiries; advise of new regulations.
Collaborate with Office of Sponsored Research to ensure awards are set up properly and costsharing requirements are fulfilled; initiate cost transfers.
Review and approve expenditures, advise on post award spending and commitment activity, and oversee compliance related to fund and revenue.
Develop and communicate reports supporting project status; create forecasting models, scenarios, and decision aides.
Manage contract closeout process and audit inquiries; submit final reports and certificates.
Interpret complex university and government policies (FAR, Cost Accounting Standards, Office of Management and Budget circulars, sponsored guidelines, etc.) for project and university personnel and help guide other staff in interpreting complex policies.
Identify and implement process improvements. Participate in and lead cross campus projects. Train and advise on issues requiring specific technical expertise.
Oversee and review work of other staff. May supervise, train and mentor other staff.
Serve as a resource on subject area to principal investigator staff.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience managing complex research portfolios, including both sponsored and non-sponsored funding, ideally within academic medical centers or research universities.
Demonstrated work with multi-million dollar, multi-institutional awards, including subawards, team science projects, and cross-organizational collaborations.
Strong background in post-award financial management and forecasting, with the ability to analyze budgets, track burn rates, and support portfolio-level decision-making.
Proven ability to serve as a trusted advisor to faculty or senior investigators, including interpreting sponsor terms and translating financial data into actionable guidance.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE (REQUIRED):

Bachelor’s degree and five years of job related experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (REQUIRED):

Expert knowledge and fluency of governmental regulations (e.g. FAR, A-21, A-110, A-133, CAS).
Knowledge and ability to understand, interpret, and communicate university policies and procedures.
Excellent oral, written, and communication skills.
Excellent analytical skills; demonstrated proficiency in Excel and web-based tools.
Strong accounting skills; knowledge of accounting principles.
Knowledge of procurement needs, including solesourcing, cost analyses, vendor requirements, and small business reporting.
Strong knowledge of property management requirements related to Stanford or non-Stanford title of equipment and fabrications.
Expert in project management, including managing international collaborations and complex multi-sub award contracts.
Knowledge of personnel management, including proposing effort for and training and hiring of students, post-doctorals, academic appointments, regular staff, bargaining unit staff, and consultants, along with the circumstances appropriate for each type of position.
Extreme attention to detail.
Ability to review a proposal or manage a project with understanding of the overall scope and goal of each sponsored project.
Excellent time management and organizational skills.

CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES:

Cardinal Curriculum I and II must be completed to remain in this position.
Certified Accountant or Auditor, MBA, project management certification, or similar credential desired.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Frequently sit, grasp lightly, use fine manipulation and perform desk-based computer tasks, lift, carry, push and pull objects weighing up to ten pounds.
Occasionally stand, walk, grasp forcefully, use a telephone, write by hand and sort and file paperwork or parts.
Rarely lift, carry, push and pull objects weighing 11-20 pounds.

WORKING 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, http://adminguide.stanford.edu/.

The expected pay range for this position is $121,639 to $142,078 (within the 10 Bay Area counties) or $72,983 to $127,870 per annum (all other regions).

This role is open to candidates anywhere in the United States. Stanford University has five Regional Pay Structures. The compensation for this position will be based on the location of the successful candidate. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) 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.

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.

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.

Additional Information