Vice President, Finance and Administration

Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute (NGNRI) in Detroit seeks a senior executive to lead Finance and Administration, overseeing finance, procurement, HR and facilities, reporting to the COO to ensure compliant, efficient operations in support of its research mission.

Build and mentor high-performing teams, establish budgeting controls, and drive strategic resource allocation in a mission-driven nonprofit environment committed to advancing biomedical research.

Qualifications

• Senior-level financial leadership in nonprofit or research settings
• Experience building and managing administrative functions
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls
• Excellent communication and team-building abilities

Responsibilities

• Oversee finance, procurement, HR, and facilities
• Build and lead administrative management teams
• Set budgeting controls and ensure regulatory compliance
• Partner with COO and research leadership to enable operations

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial controls

Nonprofit management

People leadership

Education

MBA or CPA preferred

Tools

ERP systems

GAAP knowledge

Job description

Vice President, Finance and Administration

Sep 8

As the Vice President, Finance and Administration, you will provide strategic and operational leadership acrossNGNRI’s core administrative functions, including finance, procurement, human resources,and facilities. As a key member of the leadership team, this role will ensure the instituteoperates efficiently, compliantly, and in full support of its research mission.

The successful candidate will bring senior-level experience in finance and administration,ideally within a research or not-for-profit environment, along with a strong track record ofbuilding and managing high-performing administrative teams. This role will establish andoversee budgeting, financial controls, and operational processes, ensuring effectiveresource allocation and regulatory compliance.Reporting to the COO, the VP will play a central role in enabling a seamless researchenvironment—providing the structure, systems, and support that allow scientific teams tofocus on discovery.

This is a mission-driven leadership position requiring sound judgment,operational excellence, and a commitment to the highest standards of integrity andprofessionalism

About the role

Oversee and manage the financial and administrative operations of NGNRI

Oversee and manage administrative support of research

Together with the COO, build up and provide an organizational structure for theNGNRI administration

Lead the NGNRI administrative management team (finance, procurement, HR,EH&S, infrastructure technical operations, all administrative support services)

Ensure organization news and events are appropriately supported and disseminatedto all NGNRI administrative staff

Contribute to building a supportive and progressive work culture according to theexpectations of today’s workforce personnel

Be proactive in identifying potential administrative hurdles and challenges and inengaging with the NGNRI senior management team to find solutions

Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and guidelines as well operations atthe highest ethical standards

About you

Careful, accurate, structured, analytical worker with excellent organizational skills

Broad base of practical knowledge relating to administrative management in a not for-profit or biomedical organization

Strong communicator whether in writing, speech or oral presentations

Deferential to diversity, equality and inclusion and able to lead diverse multiculturalteams

Someone who will embrace a bold vision and remain loyal to its purpose

Able to recruit talent and unite individuals

An individual with the highest integrity and ethical standards.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience leading an administration or financial team. Ideally, experience as a VPof Finance and Administration, Director of Human Resources, Director of Finances,or head of the financial management of a function (e.g. Office of SponsoredResearch, Grants and Contracts).

Awareness of the financial, administrative and legal operational challenges ofbiomedical research

Experience and proven credentials in leading an administration

A structured and well-organized manager able to build and manage teams

Ability to provide administrative operational guidance and motivate staff in supportfunctions

Experience solving problems and overcoming obstacles, flexibility to consider andadopt alternative strategies when needed

Strong interpersonal skills, communication and team building

Experience navigating audit and compliance requirements in the not-for-profit sector

Proven loyalty to an organizational agenda

About us

The Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute (NGNRI)is a nonprofit organization focused on developing treatments and cures for Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and other neurological disorders and cancers with significant unmet need. Backed by the Gilbert Family Foundation and created in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU) and Henry Ford Health (HFH), NGNRI brings together leading scientific and clinicalexpertiseto accelerate translational discovery.

Located within a new,state-of-the-artresearch facility in midtown Detroit, NGNRI offers a highly collaborative environment alongside MSU and HFH. The institute is equipped with advanced platforms—including organoid and stem cell models, AI-driven analysis, FACS, and CRISPR technologies—and provides access to extensive shared core facilities.

NGNRI supports both in-house researchers and visiting scientists, creating a dynamic, mission-driven ecosystem designed to advance innovation and deliver impact in an underserved field. As part of Detroit’s rapidly growing medical research campus, NGNRI offers a unique opportunity to contribute tocutting-edgescience within a vibrant and expanding hub.

NGNRI is in an early stage of development and relies on support from its founding organization, the Rocket Family of Companies, for some of its infrastructure, including talent acquisition. Like the institute itself, salary ranges and benefits are still under construction—they will be highly competitive, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

This job description is an outline of the primary responsibilities of this position and may be modified at the discretion of NGNRI at any time. Decisions related to employment are not based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. NGNRI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations in completing the application and/or participating in the application process should contact a member of the Human Resources team, at [e-mail] .