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Director, Program Finance

American Institutes for Research
$168,000-$180,000 USD
United States, Virginia, Arlington
Jul 10, 2025

AIR's Corporate Finance Office is seeking a Director, Program Finance, to join its forward-thinking and supportive team. The Corporate Finance Office is a dynamic workplace with a clear mission to develop and maintain a service-oriented organization aligned with business objectives.

In this pivotal role within the Program Finance team, the Director will lead financial oversight and strategic planning for the Human Services Division, managing a portfolio of approximately $175 million. This position requires a seasoned finance leader with deep expertise in government contracting, program finance, budgeting, and long-term financial planning.

Reporting directly to the Vice President of Program Finance, the Director will play a critical role in shaping financial outcomes and supporting the division's success. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and are ready to make a lasting impact, we invite you to bring your leadership and vision to AIR.

This position offers hybrid work flexibility from AIR's Crystal City, VA or Rockville, MD offices, with occasional travel required for meetings, training sessions, and conferences.


About AIR:

Established in 1946, with headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to solve some of the most urgent challenges in the U.S. and around the world. We advance evidence in the areas of education, health, the workforce, human services, and international development to create a better, more equitable world.

Responsibilities

Financial Planning and Analysis



  • Lead the financial planning process for programs, including budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis, to ensure financial targets are met and resources are effectively managed.
  • Develop robust financial models and scenario analyses, providing strategic insights and data-driven recommendations to support program leaders in making informed decisions.


Program Budget Management



  • Develop, manage, and maintain accurate program budgets, ensuring timely financial reporting and alignment with organizational objectives.
  • Monitor and analyze program expenditures, comparing actuals to budget, conducting regular reviews and re-forecasting, and implementing cost control measures to optimize financial performance.


Risk Management



  • Identify, assess, and mitigate financial risks associated with program activities by conducting regular risk evaluations and maintaining a comprehensive financial risk register.
  • Implement and monitor robust financial controls to ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations, safeguarding program integrity and financial accountability.


Strategic Planning



  • Collaborate with program leaders to shape long-term financial strategies, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and contributing to the development of the broader strategic plan.
  • Deliver actionable financial insights to support informed decision-making and effective resource allocation, reinforcing the connection between financial planning and strategic execution.


Team Leadership



  • Lead and develop a high-performing finance team by fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous growth through coaching, feedback, and tailored development.
  • Drive organizational effectiveness through proactive change management, regularly assessing team structure and workflows to ensure alignment with evolving business needs and strategic priorities.
  • Champion talent development and operational excellence, identifying skill gaps, implementing targeted training initiatives, and guiding the team through transitions to support adaptability and long-term success.


Relationship Management and Communication



  • Act as a strategic liaison between the finance department and division leadership, fostering effective communication, collaboration, and alignment on financial goals and priorities.
  • Present financial reports, updates, and performance insights to senior management and external partners as needed.
  • Deliver expert financial guidance to support strategic decision-making, including preparing and presenting clear, data-driven analyses and presentations on division financial performance to inform planning and resource allocation.


Compliance and Audit



  • Ensure full compliance with applicable financial regulations and standards (e.g., FAR, CAS, Uniform Guidance, ASC 606) by maintaining rigorous oversight and up-to-date knowledge of evolving requirements.
  • Lead and support internal and external audit processes, including coordination, implementation of audit recommendations, and maintaining comprehensive documentation to uphold transparency and accountability in financial operations.


Financial Reporting



  • Prepare and deliver comprehensive financial reports on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with organizational standards.
  • Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of financial data, while providing in-depth analysis and actionable insights to program leaders and senior management to support strategic decision-making.


Continuous Improvement



  • Identify and implement opportunities for process optimization and automation within the finance function, leveraging technology and innovation to streamline workflows and enhance operational efficiency.
  • Drive continuous improvement by adopting industry best practices and staying informed on emerging financial trends, ensuring the finance team maintains high quality aligned with evolving standards.


Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time based on business needs.

Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, and Experience:



  • Over 12 years of progressive finance experience, including at least 5 years in senior leadership roles managing government contracting program finance, supported by a Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
  • Advanced credentials such as an MBA or CPA strongly preferred, reflecting a commitment to strategic financial leadership and professional excellence.
  • Working knowledge of financial systems and analytical tools, including Costpoint 8+, Cognos, and Power BI, with hands-on experience in leveraging these platforms for reporting, forecasting, and data-driven decision-making.


Skills



  • Effective communicator with the ability to engage across all organizational levels and different backgrounds, particularly in virtual and remote environments.
  • Adept at delivering clear, compelling presentations tailored to varied audiences, ensuring alignment and understanding across partners.
  • Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively, adapting seamlessly to team dynamics and project needs.
  • Experienced in identifying and resolving complex financial issues with precision and strategic insight.
  • Highly organized and capable of managing multiple priorities and projects simultaneously, consistently meeting or exceeding deadlines.
  • Recognized for sharp analytical thinking, sound decision-making, and creative problem-solving skills.
  • Skilled in connecting diverse ideas into cohesive, actionable solutions, with meticulous attention to detail and a collaborative mindset.
  • Able to maintain a strategic, big-picture perspective while excelling in detailed, hands-on execution and operational tasks.
  • Proficient in using standard Microsoft 365, including OneDrive, SharePoint, Excel (advanced), Word, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat Pro.


Disclosures:

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks.

AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone attboone@air.orgor call 202.403.5000.

Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer:

AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an "@air.org" domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example jdoe@air.org is correct and jdoe@aircareers.org is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out to recruitment@air.org.

If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams at ftc.gov/scams.

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AIR's Total Rewards Program, is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers the anticipated annual salary as listed. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States.

Anticipated Annual Salary Range
$168,000 $180,000 USD
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