Director- Finance and Administration

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill; Elkins Hills (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Professional training opportunities

Exclusive campus discounts

Job summary

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is seeking a Director of Finance and Administration in the Department of Pharmacology to lead strategic budgeting, operations, and governance for teaching, research and service missions.

Reporting to the Chair, the role oversees financial planning, HR, sponsored research management, information systems design and delivery, and provides senior leadership across a five-person office within a $37M revenue portfolio, ensuring compliance, efficiency and

Qualifications

• Master's or Bachelor's degree with 0-2 years' experience
• Experience with budget management required
• Advanced Excel knowledge and strong organizational skills

Responsibilities

• Lead financial planning and management for teaching, research and service missions
• Oversee operations management and human resources within the department
• Manage sponsored research administration and information systems delivery
• Provide strategic leadership and governance in policy development and implementation
• Supervise a five-person team and ensure efficient resource allocation

Skills

Advanced Excel

Budget management

Leadership

Communication skills

Strategic planning

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

PeopleSoft/ConnectCarolina

Infoporte

Job description

Posting Information

• 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

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

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.

Experience with PeopleSoft/ConnectCarolina and Infoporte a plus.

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.

Quick Link

https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/325679

Posting Contact Information

Department Contact Name and Title: Jayne Ashby, Executive Recruiter

Department Contact Telephone or Email: [e-mail]

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.