Description

VCU’s Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation invites applications for the position of Associate Vice President for Finance & Operations (AVPFO). We are seeking a collaborative, forwardthinking leader with deep expertise in research finance, a demonstrated ability to drive growth and transformation, and the capacity to translate complex financial and operational environments into clear, actionable strategy.

The mission of the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation is to foster transformative research, discovery, and innovation at Virginia Commonwealth University through excellence in service. Guided by the Strategic Research Priorities Plan (SRPP), OVPRI strengthens VCU’s transdisciplinary research culture across its multifaceted campuses and disciplines, empowering the university to generate innovation with meaningful public impact.

The AVPFO role represents a rare executive opportunity to shape and scale a nearly $600M research enterprise as it advances toward $1B. Serving as the Chief Business Officer for OVPRI, the AVPFO will lead enterprisewide financial strategy, oversee complex administrative and operational functions, and partner closely with senior university leadership to fuel innovation, discovery, and institutional impact.

This is a fulltime position. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue through midMay 2026.

To view details about the role, click here  Associate Vice President for Finance & Operations (AVPFO) 

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Business, Accounting, Public Administration, or a related field. 
Ten or more years of progressive leadership experience overseeing complex accounting, fiscal, and administrative operations, including direct management of departments or divisions in a university setting.
Demonstrated leadership overseeing research finance, administrative operations, financial compliance infrastructure, within a comprehensive research and complex organization.
Proven understanding of federal research funding regulations, including F&A rate development and negotiation, pre and post-award and institutional financial compliance frameworks.
Proven ability to lead enterprisewide strategic planning, financial implementation, financial modeling, and forecasting in dynamic and fastmoving environments.
Experience managing multidisciplinary administrative functions (research finance, HR, technology systems, and operational units such as animal research programs) and leading crossfunctional teams, and resource allocation in complex, priorityrich environments. 
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with university leadership to develop and implement institutional financial research strategy.
Experience collaborating with corporate partners and legal counsel, supported by exceptional interpersonal, communication, and advisory skills. 
Ability to build productive relationships with institutional and publicsector stakeholders and to translate complex financial and regulatory issues into clear, strategic guidance for senior leadership.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to make independent fiscal decisions within complex regulatory and financial frameworks.
Experience driving endtoend project management efforts from financial planning through completion and leading process improvement initiatives that increase fiscal efficiency and effectiveness.
Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a member of VCU. 

Preferred Qualifications

CPA credential strongly preferred.
Experience in a researchintensive (R1) university environment, including familiarity with academic administrative or operational structures.
Proficiency with enterprise systems such as Banner, CORE, JasperSoft, and Inteum.
Advanced financial analysis, modeling, and forecasting experience supporting researchfocused or grantfunded activities.