Director- Finance and Administration

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill invites applications for a Director of Finance and Administration in the Department of Pharmacology. This senior role partners with the Chair to lead financial planning, operations, HR, sponsored research management, and information systems.

The position provides strategic leadership, reports to the Chair, oversees five staff, and manages a $37M unit budget. Required experience includes budget management, Excel proficiency, and strong communication.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Bachelor’s with 0–2 years’ experience, or an equivalent combination.
• Experience with budget management and financial leadership.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; ability to lead and influence.
• Advanced knowledge of Excel; familiarity with grant processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial planning, budgeting, and resource allocation for the department.
• Direct operations, HR, sponsored research management, and information systems.
• Represent the department in committees and campus meetings.
• Oversee five staff and ensure policy compliance and strategic goals.

Skills

Financial management

Operational leadership

Human resource management

Program development

Strategic planning

Customer service

Faculty recruitment

Presentation skills

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's preferred

Tools

PeopleSoft/ConnectCarolina

Infoporte

NIH grants knowledge

Job description

Department:

Pharmacology-424001

Career Area :

Accounting/Finance/Auditing

Posting Open Date:

09/18/2026

Application Deadline:

10/02/2026

Open Until Filled:

No

Position Type:

Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Working Title:

Director- Finance and Administration

Appointment Type:

EHRA Non-Faculty

Position Number:

20077858

Vacancy ID:

NF0010058

Full Time/Part Time:

Full-Time Permanent

FTE:

1

Hours per week:

40

Position Location:

North Carolina, US

Hiring Range:

Dependent on Qualifications

Proposed Start Date:

12/01/2026

Be a Tar Heel!:

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:

Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education and research. Patient care: We promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond. Education: We prepare tomorrow`s healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team-oriented inter‑professional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce. Research: We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translation, mechanistic and population research.

Position Summary:

The Director of Finance and Administration in the Department of Pharmacology partners with the Chair to develop a strategic vision to lead the Department to stellar performance in all missions: teaching, research, and service to the State, and ensures departmental resource allocation in support of strategic priorities. This position is responsible for the implementation of systems and initiatives influencing financial planning and management, operations management, human resource management, sponsored research management, information systems design and delivery, strategic leadership and governance, and professional and ethical responsibilities on behalf of the Chair of the Department. These activities are very complex, demanding and very detailed. The Director of Finance and Administration assume substantial independent senior administrative authority in the Chair’s Office for leadership and innovative direction for the Department’s policy development and implementation of systems and initiatives to attain goals. This position reports directly to the Chair and acts as the primary designee representing the department in committees and other campus meetings as needed. This position has direct oversight for the work of 5 positions. Total revenue for the Department of Pharmacology is $37M dollars (Contracts and Grants, State Appropriated Funds, Overhead, Gifts and Endowments). The UNC Department of Pharmacology is a basic science department within the School of Medicine with a strong commitment to research excellence and the training of the next generation of scientists. The department’s mission is to educate and train outstanding research scientists, elucidate the molecular and cellular basis of human disease, and advance the development of novel therapeutics. Pharmacology faculty play an integral role in interdisciplinary graduate education through participation in interdepartmental PhD training programs and provide rigorous, research focused training for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars within a highly collaborative scientific environment. The Department of Pharmacology conducts cutting edge, innovative research spanning chemical and structural biology, quantitative and computational biology, drug discovery and design, and experimental therapeutics. Faculty research addresses fundamental mechanisms of disease and therapeutic development across diverse areas including cancer biology, neuroscience, cardiovascular biology, alcohol and addiction biology, and gene therapy. The department supports a robust and collaborative research training environment, providing access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, shared research cores, and University wide resources. The department consistently ranks in the top tier nationally for NIH funding among pharmacology departments, reflecting the strength, impact, and breadth of its research enterprise. Through multidisciplinary collaboration, strong mentorship and excellence, the Department of Pharmacology contributes significantly to the School of Medicine’s mission and strives to sustain and enhance its national and international reputation in pharmacological research and training.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Master’s or Bachelor’s and 0-2 years’ experience; or will accept a combination of related education and experience in substitution.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

The successful Director will be an experienced, intuitive, creative, and dynamic leader with superior interpersonal and problem-solving skills. They will have well-developed attributes of professionalism, leadership, communication, presentation abilities, superior organizational skills, as well as analytic expertise. Critical skills and knowledge required are focused but not limited to the following areas: financial management, operational leadership, human resource management, program development and growth, strategic planning, customer service, faculty recruitment, and presentation skills. Candidates must have the ability to work independently and have strong organizational and administrative skills. Experience with budget management required. Must be able to understand, interpret, and apply applicable policies and procedures. Must possess superior verbal and written communication skills, excellent interpersonal behaviors, and the capacity to inspire confidence in his or her reasoning and decision-making. Must have advanced knowledge of Excel. Knowledge of public and private granting agencies, and strong organizational and interpersonal skills are also required.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

Bachelor’s required, Masters preferred. 2 – 5 years of experience. Knowledge and experience with NIH grants and the UNC system regulations are preferred. Experience with PeopleSoft/ConnectCarolina and Infoporte a plus. Experience in grant preparation and review, short-term and long-term planning, project coordination, and personnel supervision 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.