Senior Director of Finance and Administration ResearchAmerica

Research!

America is building on a year of significant impact, advancing science as a national priority through strategic advocacy, coalition leadership, and deep engagement with policymakers. As Senior Director of Finance and Administration, you will steward the financial and operational foundation that powers this momentum, ensuring Research!

America continues to grow responsibly and amplify its influence.

Reporting to the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer (EVP/COO), you will serve as the organization’s lead financial executive and head of administration, overseeing two direct reports who manage day-to-day accounting, HR, IT, and facilities. Working closely with the EVP/COO and leadership across the organization, you will lead budgeting, audits, grant accounting, financial reporting, and analysis for an $8 million organization with diverse revenue streams, including membership dues, foundation grants, individual contributions, and corporate sponsor ships.

You will support the Board of Directors with accurate reporting and clear narratives that communicate performance, trends, and risks. You will also manage Research!

America’s $7.5 million investment portfolio, consulting with external advisors and the Finance Committee to meet investment objectives.

In addition to your finance and accounting leadership, you will oversee strategic administrative functions, including HR, IT, facilities, insurance, risk management, and retirement plan administration; manage relationships with external partners and service vendors; and provide operational stability that allows program teams to focus on impact.

This role is ideal for a leader who thrives on collaboration and wants to serve as a strategic partner on every initiative—from building grant budgets with program teams to advising executive leadership on organizational strategy. You will work across the entire organization, serving as the financial lead on major projects while maintaining the autonomy to innovate and drive meaningful improvements.

This is an exciting time to join Research!

America as we welcome a new President & CEO this year. You’ll play a central role in strengthening infrastructure and ensuring seamless financial and administrative operations during this important transition. Success in your first 1–2 years will be demonstrated by:

• Continuing our 18-year history of clean audits by maintaining strong internal controls, providing support to the Audit Committee, and ensuring financials are audit-ready.
• Building trusting relationships with the Finance Committee and Board through data-driven, transparent presentations that connect financial performance to strategic goals and provide insights for decision‑making.
• Identifying improvements in financial systems, exploring integrations between financial and donor technology platforms, and streamlining grant accounting and reporting processes to support program success.
• Enhancing budget‑to‑actual monitoring, improving cash flow projections that account for grant cycles and fundraising variability, and optimizing the reserve fund to support sustainability.

• This role offers a hybrid schedule with 2–3 days each week at our Washington, DC, metro area headquarters.
• The budgeted salary range for this position is $160K - 175K, with an outstanding benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance; disability insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan; and parking or Metro benefits.
• You’ll join a warm, welcoming, and active team passionate about addressing critical issues impacting the health of our nation and society. We value innovation, flexibility, and adaptability in working together and in our outward-facing roles.

• Working with the EVP/COO, provide strategic financial guidance to the Board of Directors, including the Finance and Audit Committees.
• Provide staff support to the Audit Committee, assisting the committee with the appointment of an independent auditor and supporting the audit team during the audit and preparation of IRS Form 990.
• Supervise the part‑time Controller and the Director of…