Assistant Vice Chancellor, Research Business Operations

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; North Carolina; On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Exclusive campus discounts

Job summary

UNC Chapel Hill seeks an Assistant Vice Chancellor, Research Business Operations to lead the financial and operational infrastructure that supports a multi-billion dollar research enterprise. You will oversee Research Finance, HR, IS, and Space Planning, reporting to senior OVCR leadership and collaborating with university partners to align operations with priorities.

The role requires extensive experience in budgeting, financial modeling, and resource analysis with a strategic mindset.

Qualifications

• Post-baccalaureate degree required; 5–7 years of related professional experience may substitute for advanced degree.
• Eight+ years of progressively responsible experience in financial management or related functions in a large, complex organization.
• Experience with multi-year financial planning, budgeting, resource modeling, data analytics, and business intelligence.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior leadership for financial forecasting for the research enterprise.
• Lead F&A strategy, rate development, and negotiation efforts.
• Oversee budget development, management, and resource allocation modeling.
• Partner with units to provide financial analysis supporting research growth.

Skills

financial management

business operations

data analytics

budget development

project management

Education

Relevant post-baccalaureate degree

Advanced degree preferred (MBA/CPA or equivalent)

Tools

ERP systems

budgeting software

Job description

Posting Information

Department VC for Res-620100

Career Area Other

Posting Open Date 11/06/2026

Application Deadline 11/20/2026

Open Until Filled No

Position Type Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Working Title Assistant Vice Chancellor, Research Business Operations

Appointment Type EHRA Non-Faculty

Position Number 01001287

Vacancy ID NF0010182

Full Time/Part Time Full-Time Permanent

FTE 1

Hours per week 40

Position Location North Carolina, US

Qualifications Dependent on Qualifications

Hiring Range Dependent on Qualifications

Proposed Start Date 01/04/2027

Position Information

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC -Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose Of Organizational Unit

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) oversees, develops, supports, and grows UNC -Chapel Hill’s $1.6 billion research enterprise. The offices reporting to the OVCR set strategic priorities for research, manage proposals and awards, provide research infrastructure, identify funding opportunities, develop research teams and partnerships, oversee regulatory compliance, and communicate the impact and value of the University’s research enterprise. The OVCR enables research endeavors for faculty, students, and scholars; encourages interdisciplinary research collaboration across campus; and fosters expansion and diversification of the University’s sponsored research portfolio by collaborating with foundations, federal agencies, corporations, and the state and federal governments. The Vice Chancellor for Research also oversees multiple pan-University, multidisciplinary research centers and institutes.

Position Summary

UNC’s Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) supports a research enterprise approximately $1.6 billion in total research activity. The Assistant Vice Chancellor, Research Business Operations (AVC - RBO) provides senior leadership for the financial and operational infrastructure that supports this enterprise, including Research Finance and Business Operations, Research Human Resources, the Office of Research Information Systems, and Research Space Planning. The position reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Operations, Protections, and Security, with dotted line to the Vice Chancellor for Research, and works closely with OVCR senior leaders, and University partners to align business operations with institutional research priorities.

The AVC - RBO develops and maintains the multi-year financial forecast for the research enterprise, including projected sponsored funding growth, indirect cost recovery, workforce and space needs, and capital investment requirements. The role provides leadership for F&A strategy, rate development and negotiation, resource-allocation modeling, data analytics, and business intelligence, and builds the financial and resource cases supporting major research investments. The position also partners with OVCR’s revenue-generating units and affiliated centers and institutes to provide financial modeling and sustainability analysis supporting research growth.

The AVC - RBO has line authority over Research Finance and Business Operations, Research Human Resources, the Office of Research Information Systems, and Research Space Planning, including supervision and development of the leaders responsible for those functions. Day-to-day transactional and operational responsibilities remain with the respective functional leaders; the AVC - RBO establishes strategic direction, priorities, performance expectations, and the financial and operational framework within which those functions operate.

Minimum Education And Experience Requirements

Relevant post-baccalaureate degree: relevant undergraduate degree with 5-7 years of related professional experience may be substituted for the advanced degree.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience

The successful candidate will be a person of high personal integrity, exhibit a strong commitment to service, and demonstrate a broad understanding of the role of research at a modern university. The successful candidate will have eight or more years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, business operations, or related functions within a large, complex organization, including significant leadership responsibility for multi-year financial planning, budgeting, resource modeling, or comparable enterprise-level business functions. The successful candidate will have strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities; excellent written and oral communication skills; demonstrated ability to present financial models and resource cases to senior leadership; and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders. Significant experience with budget development and management, project management, team leadership, data analytics, and business intelligence is also required.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience

Experience with indirect cost recovery (F&A) rate development and negotiation, higher education or federal research finance, and enterprise resource planning systems is strongly preferred. Experience in a major research university, academic health system, or similarly complex research environment is preferred. Experience representing an institution in federal or multi-institutional policy settings is desirable. An advanced degree in business, finance, public administration, or a related field, or an equivalent professional certification (e.g., CPA, MBA), is preferred.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority in accordance with the Clery Act. This position will be required to report Clery crimes to the Clery Compliance Manager and complete annual training about reporting responsibilities.

Special Link

Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/327947

Office of Human Resources Contact Information

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at [phone] or send an email to [e-mail]

Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.