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Research Finance Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Manages Accounts Receivable, Reconciliation and Closeout Processes for clinical trials. Position Specific: Completes timely and accurate invoicing process compliant with institutional policies ...

S/He supports a team of Sponsored Account Analysts who manage the university sponsored awards through the life cycle. The AD, Research Finance will collaborate with the other members for the Research ...

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Research Finance Manager information

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$50K

$98.6K

$173.5K

How much do research finance manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for research finance manager in the United States is $98,569.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,000.00 and $114,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some of the common challenges faced by a Research Finance Manager when supporting multiple research projects simultaneously?

A Research Finance Manager often oversees the budgets and compliance for several research projects at once, which can be challenging due to varying funding agency requirements and timelines. Balancing the priorities of different principal investigators, tracking expenses across multiple grants, and ensuring timely financial reporting are frequent hurdles. Strong organizational skills, proactive communication with research teams, and up-to-date knowledge of sponsor regulations are essential for success. Effective collaboration with both finance and research staff helps to address issues before they escalate and ensures smooth project operations.

What does a Research Finance Manager do?

A Research Finance Manager oversees the financial aspects of research projects within an organization, such as a university or research institute. Their responsibilities include budgeting, monitoring expenditures, ensuring compliance with funding agency regulations, and preparing financial reports. They work closely with researchers and administrative staff to make sure grant funds are used properly and efficiently. This role is crucial in supporting the financial health and integrity of research programs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Research Finance Manager, and why are they important?

To succeed as a Research Finance Manager, you need expertise in financial management, budgeting, and grant administration, usually supported by a degree in finance, accounting, or a related field. Familiarity with financial software (such as Oracle or SAP), grant management systems, and knowledge of federal compliance regulations is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating with researchers and stakeholders. These skills ensure accurate financial oversight, compliance with funding requirements, and the smooth execution of research projects.

What is the difference between Research Finance Manager vs Financial Analyst?

AspectResearch Finance ManagerFinancial Analyst
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Finance, Accounting, or related field; CPA or CFA often preferredBachelor's in Finance, Economics, or related field; CFA beneficial
Work EnvironmentResearch institutions, universities, or corporate R&D departmentsFinancial services firms, corporations, or investment banks
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in academic, research, and corporate research settingsCommon in banking, investment firms, and corporate finance teams

The Research Finance Manager focuses on managing financial aspects of research projects, ensuring funding compliance, and budgeting within research settings. In contrast, a Financial Analyst analyzes financial data to support investment decisions, budgeting, and forecasting. While both roles require strong financial skills and certifications like CFA, their work environments and primary responsibilities differ significantly.

More about Research Finance Manager jobs
What cities are hiring for Research Finance Manager jobs? Cities with the most Research Finance Manager job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Research Finance jobs? The most popular types of Research Finance jobs are:
What states have the most Research Finance Manager jobs? States with the most job openings for Research Finance Manager jobs include:
Infographic showing various Research Finance Manager job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,569 per year, or $47.4 per hour.
Manager, Research Finance

$118K - $177K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago


Seattle Children's rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 61 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

61st of 1,004 rated hospitals


Job description

Manage all Office of Research Finance business functions, including accounting and systematic compliance functions. Provide the research division's internal and external stakeholders and partner's, including Principal Investigators and Sponsor organizations such as the NIH, timely and accurate accounting and financial reporting services that comply with applicable federal and external sponsor regulations and requirements. Provide leadership in all areas affecting Research Finance. Required Education and Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field. Eight years central institutional research administration experience; five years federal grants regulation direct experience. Three years experience in a supervisory role.
Required Credentials
N/A.
Preferred
CPA designation. Experience in Research Enterprise within Healthcare Provider environment funded in part by Federal awards.

Compensation Range

$118,174.00 - $177,262.00 per year

Salary Information

This compensation range was calculated based on full-time employment (2080 hours worked per calendar year). Offers are determined by multiple factors including equity, skills, experience, and expertise, and may vary within the range provided.

Disclaimer for Out of State Applicants

This compensation range is specific to Seattle, positions located outside of Seattle may be compensated differently depending on various factors.

Benefits Information

Seattle Children’s offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 403(b), life insurance, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more.  Additional details on our benefits can be found on our website www.seattlechildrens.org/careers/benefits.

About Us

Hope. Care. Cure. These three simple words capture what we do at Seattle Children’s – to help every child live the healthiest and most fulfilling life possible.  Are you ready to engage with a mission-driven organization that is life-changing to many, and touches the hearts of all? #HOPECARECURE

As one of the nation's top five pediatric research centers, Seattle Children's Research Institute is dedicated to providing hope, care, and cures to help every child live the healthiest and most fulfilling life possible.

Our investigators are involved in hundreds of projects that cover every phase of research, from studying how diseases work to improving investigational therapies. They have pioneered groundbreaking cystic fibrosis treatments and cutting-edge cancer therapies that help a child's immune system defeat cancer, and made other major contributions to pediatric medicine. 

Researchers work in close collaboration with one another, their colleagues at partner institutions including the University of Washington and Fred Hutch and our healthcare providers at Seattle Children's Hospital, one of U.S. News & World Report’s top children's hospitals. This collaboration is one of our key strengths, allowing our faculty to draw on a variety of disciplines and techniques as they pursue solutions to some of medicine's most complex problems.

We are committed to not only treating disease but to eliminating it. Help us achieve our vision of being a worldwide leader in pediatric research aimed to improve the health and well-being of children. If you are interested in a challenging career aimed at groundbreaking research, Seattle Children's Research Institute is the place for you.
 

Our Commitment

Seattle Children’s welcomes people of all experiences, backgrounds, and thoughts as this is what drives our spirit of inquiry and allows us to better connect with our patients and families. Our organization recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes based on merit without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

The people who work at Seattle Children’s are members of a community that seeks to respect and celebrate all the qualities that make each of us unique. Each of us is empowered to be ourselves.

Seattle Children’s is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Workplace and Affirmative Action Employer.


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About Seattle Children's

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Based in Seattle, Washington, Seattle Children’s comprises a leading pediatric hospital, research institute, and foundation dedicated to the care and cure of childhood illness. The system is internationally recognized for cutting‑edge clinical care in cardiology, oncology, genetics, and rare disease, alongside world-class translational research in areas such as immunology, neuroscience, and infectious disease.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Seattle, WA, US

Year founded

1907