Chief Financial Officer

Overview

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and consortium of universities that manages and/or operates world-leading astronomical observatories—including the Hubble Space Telescope; James Webb Space Telescope; Vera C. Rubin Observatory; the Gemini Observatory; the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Observatory and many more—on behalf of the scientific community through our Centers: the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI); the NSF National Optical/Infrared Laboratory (NOIRLab), and the NSF National Solar Observatory (NSO). Our mission is to enable transformational research in astrophysics and to share the wonders of the universe with the public. AURA partners with federal agencies, universities, scientific institutions, and industry collaborators around the world to advance exploration, discovery, and education.

Position Summary

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to serve as AURA's senior financial executive, providing strategic leadership and oversight for all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, treasury, investments, procurement, award administration, contracts, compliance, and financial reporting. In partnership with the President, Center Directors, Corporate Vice Presidents, the AURA Board and its committees, Center Councils, and finance leaders across the organization, the CFO ensures the long-term financial strength, regulatory compliance, operational effectiveness, and responsible stewardship of AURA's resources in support of its scientific mission. This role is eligible for hybrid work and will require 2-3 days of on-site presence in our Baltimore or Washington, DC office.

Organizational Structure

The business and administrative support functions for AURA’s programmatic centers are provided by two independent divisions, which are coordinated through AURA’s CFO. Central Administrative Services (CAS) serves AURA’s ground-based Centers, funded primarily by cooperative agreements with the National Science Foundation (NSF), and also provides a portion of services to AURA Corporate Headquarters (HQ). CAS delivers accounting, finance, budget, procurement, contracts, proposal and award management, travel/relocation services, and business IT services. Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), funded primarily by contracts with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), receives its services from the Business Resource Center (BRC), which provides similar services to CAS, and is dedicated to the space telescope Center, along with providing certain services to AURA HQ. The AURA CFO also oversees all other AURA HQ financial activities and operations not performed by CAS or BRC.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Strategy and Planning

• Lead financial strategy for a federally funded research organization, including long-term financial planning, scenario modeling, funding-continuity planning, and risk mitigation related to federal appropriations, contract and cooperative agreement renewals, award closeouts, and potential changes in agency funding priorities.
• Translate the strategic plan and directives into an effective and efficient financial structure that safeguards AURA against financial risks.
• Develop and implement financial strategies that support AURA’s strategic plans and goals, including capital requirements, investments, staffing, long-term budgetary planning, and cost management.
• Provide financial analysis and guidance on all activities, plans, targets, and business drivers.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of key internal and external stakeholders’ evolving needs and their financial constraints.

Financial Management

• Manage AURA’s financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, treasury, tax compliance, cash management, financial reporting, and financial risk management.
• Serve as a financial steward, helping center leaders understand the financial implications of any proposed business opportunities or initiatives.
• Oversee budget creation and monitoring.
• Ensure timely preparation and submission of financial statements and reports to auditors, funding and regulatory agencies, Board of Directors and internal AURA HQ and Center leadership.
• Oversee indirect cost strategy, rate development, cost allocation, billability assessments, and timing differences arising under federal awards, including coordination with federal sponsors, where appropriate.