Associate Director for Finance and Operations

Montana State University, United States

Updated: about 21 hours ago
Location: Bozeman, MONTANA
Deadline: ;

Position Details
Position Information


Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26349
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Jeanne Carter
jeanne.carter1@montana.edu
406-994-6687
Classification Title Finance Professional
Working Title Associate Director for Finance and Operations
Brief Position Overview
The Associate Director for Finance and Operations is a key member of TechLink’s executive management team with responsibility for developing and implementing TechLink’s long-term financial and operational strategy. The position provides strategic leadership and direction across all accounting, finance, and operational functions, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and integration with Techlink teams and efforts.
In this role, the Associate Director also provides strategic financial and operational leadership that directly supports the organization’s mission. This senior leadership position requires a sophisticated understanding of the intersection between federal compliance requirements, university administrative systems, and mission-driven program delivery.
The role also includes regular participation in high-level strategic meetings with senior government officials, university leadership, and executive team colleagues. The Associate Director is expected to contribute to strategic problem-solving, offering creative solutions that balance federal sponsor requirements, organizational mission, university policies, and operational realities as well as represent the organization to key stakeholders as a subject matter expert.
Position Number 4C5527
Department Techlink
Division Office of Research and Economic Development
Appointment Type Professional
Contract Term Fiscal Year
Semester
If other, specify From date
If other, specify End date
FLSA Exempt
Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining
FTE 1.0
Benefits Eligible Eligible
Salary $110,000 - $120,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications
Contract Type LOA
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type Open

Position Details


General Statement
TechLink is a nationally recognized technology transfer center at Montana State University (MSU), established in 1996. Since 1999, TechLink has served as the primary, nationally focused "partnership intermediary” for the US Department of Defense (DoD), helping the DoD to develop productive technology partnerships with US industry, primarily small businesses. In 2019, TechLink began providing the same service to the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as its first-ever partnership intermediary.
The current program includes three major lines of effort: Technology Transfer (T2) Partnership activities; T2 Impact assessment and return on investment analysis reporting; and T2 Training via TechLink’s Technology Transfer University (T2U). Supporting activities include expanded marketing which enables TechLink to cultivate capable T2 partners and Technology Transition to support transitioning new technologies to government operational use. Cross-functional teams supporting the entire organization include TechLink’s Data Systems & IT team, and the Finance team. TechLink also manages the MSU Technology Transfer Office (TTO) and Montana Innovation Partnership (MTIP). TechLink’s organizational structure includes an assigned team lead role for each major line of effort, supporting activity, cross functional team, TTO and MTIP.
The TechLink Finance Team includes the Finance Director, an Accounting Associate, the Assistant Fiscal Controller, and this position. Additional transactional support is provided by MSU Fiscal Shared Services. Together, we work to maintain the financial integrity of TechLink and to optimize the use of our diverse funding sources.
As one of only two national Partnership Intermediaries for the Department of Defense and the sole Partnership Intermediary for the Department of Veterans Affairs, TechLink operates within a unique funding environment. Standard financial management models and benchmarks are not readily applicable.
Duties and Responsibilities
  • Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic thought partner to the Executive Director and leadership team on all matters related to financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and organizational capacity.
  • Participate in executive-level meetings with federal partner officials, university administrators, and other high-level stakeholders as appropriate.
  • Develop and implement comprehensive long-term financial strategies that support organizational growth, program expansion, and mission fulfillment.
  • Create and maintain multi-year financial models and forecasts that account for the unique complexities of TechLink’s diverse funding portfolio, including federal partnership intermediary agreements, grants, university support, and other revenue streams.
  • Oversee the design and continuous improvement of business processes, internal controls, and administrative systems that support organizational effectiveness.
  • Oversee the TechLink Finance Team and its cross-functional integration with other teams, efforts and activities.
  • Ensure organizational compliance with all applicable federal regulations, university policies, sponsor requirements, and professional standards.
  • In consultation with the Executive Director, develop and implement HR strategies that align talent acquisition, retention, professional development, and workforce planning with organizational goals.
  • Develop and maintain strong, productive relationships with key stakeholders including DoD and VA program officers, university administrators, state officials, and regional partners.
  • Deliver presentations and represent TechLink at meetings, conferences, and professional forums, clearly communicating the organization’s financial and operational capabilities.
  • Assist TechLink in achieving its mission through special projects, initiatives, and assignments consistent with professional background and expertise, as requested by the Executive Director or Associate Director.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or master’s degree in business administration (MBA), public administration (MPA), or related field.
  • A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, with demonstrated background in leadership and supervisory roles including experience in the development, analysis, execution, and management of complex budgets and long-range business/financial management plans for a large, multi-faceted organization.
  • Substantial experience serving on an executive or senior management team, contributing to strategic decision-making and organizational leadership.
  • Demonstrated experience applying federal Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) and compliance requirements for managing federally funded projects, including cost principles, allowability determinations, and audit requirements.
  • Proven experience in human resources management, including talent acquisition, performance management, and workforce planning.
  • Significant experience working in a higher education institution, nonprofit organization, or government agency, with understanding of the unique operational and compliance environments.
  • A minimum of five (5) years of institutional knowledge working with Montana State University policies, procedures, systems, and organizational culture.
  • High-level knowledge of, and experience using, enterprise accounting/procurement systems as well as Ellucian Banner and Microsoft Suite.
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    Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
  • Experience working with Department of Defense or Department of Veterans Affairs programs, contracts, or agreements.
  • Background involving technology transfer or innovation commercialization.
  • Experience managing partnership intermediary agreements or similar federal partnership programs.
  • Track record of successfully leading organizational change initiatives or process improvement projects.
  • Familiarity with additional financial management or data analysis software platforms.
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    The Successful Candidate Will
    • High level of professionalism, integrity, and ethical judgment with the ability to handle situations with tact and diplomacy.
    • Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality with sensitive information.
    • Demonstrated discretion when handling personnel, financial, or operational information.
    • Strong leadership skills, including the ability to motivate, work collaboratively and build positive working relationships.
    • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentations.
    • Strong problem‑solving and critical‑thinking abilities.
    • Strong organizational and time‑management skills with attention to detail.
    • Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work effectively in evolving environments.
    • Expertise in presenting complex financial and administrative information in ways that build clarity, transparency, and informed decision-making across varying levels of financial expertise.
    • Ability to display strong attention to detail while maintaining a strategic, big-picture perspective.
    Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
    This position is contingent upon continued grant funding.
    This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
    Physical Demands
    To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
    This position has supervisory duties? Yes

    Posting Detail Information


    Number of Vacancies 1
    Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search
    Position End Date (if temporary)
    Open Date
    Close Date
    Applications will be:
    Screening of applications will begin on April 14, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
    Special Instructions
    This position is contingent upon continued grant funding.
    EEO Statement
    Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
    In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

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