Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Director of Business Services - SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

SLAC Job Postings

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is one of 17 Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratories. Operated by Stanford University on behalf of the DOE, SLAC develops and operates some of the world’s premier science facilities, including the first hard X-ray free-electron laser. We explore how the universe works at the biggest, smallest, and fastest scales and invent powerful tools used by scientists around the globe. Our research helps solve real-world problems and advances the interests of the nation. Researchers from SLAC and other premier institutions around the world use our facilities to investigate some of the most exciting and important problems facing our society in areas such as clean energy, environmental science, biomedicine, and advanced materials.

Position Overview:

SLAC is seeking a highly qualified business services and financial professional to provide strong leadership for the lab’s Business Services Division. As the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Director of Business Services is a member of the laboratory's senior management team, reporting to the SLAC Lab Director’s Office.

Working with the Deputy Director for Operations, this individual is responsible for the central financial and business services organization in stewardship of a Laboratory business volume near $679 million (FY24). The Business Services organization includes Budget and Funds Management, Controller's Office (general accounting, payroll / labor cost distribution, travel, and accounts payable), Lab Financial Operations (centralized and field deployed business managers), and Supply Chain Management (Procurement, Property Control, and Shipping and Receiving). The Director of Business Services is responsible for a divisional budget of about $7.5 million and around 110 employees. This individual also represents SLAC in a variety of activities involving the DOE, Stanford University, and other DOE national laboratories.

Your specific responsibilities include:

• Provides overall strategic financial leadership for the Laboratory.
• Leads the development of the laboratory’s budget forecasts and supports the development and implementation of the budgets in support of the Laboratory Agenda.
• Ensures that laboratory management is informed and apprised of relevant financial and business issues and developments and provides effective financial information and reporting to the SLAC and Stanford University community.
• Serves as the business owner of SLAC financial systems, creating and maintaining administrative processes and systems throughout SLAC promoting the financial health of the Laboratory.
• Establishes business policies and procedures for SLAC, consistent with the Department of Energy (DOE) contract and Stanford University business policies.
• Development and implement an annual Business Plan for the Business Services functions aligned with the Laboratory Agenda.
• Leads and manage the Business Services organization, ensuring effective performance management, training and development opportunities for the staff.
• Selects, coaches, manages and develops direct reports and key managers, and ensure an equitable and consistent application of policies and practices to all Business Services staff to foster a workplace environment that supports the Lab's values and mission.
• Serves on the SLAC Director's Assurance Council, National Laboratories CFO (NLCFO) committee, and as a chair and/or participant in assigned committees and working groups to address Laboratory-wide issues.
• Remains current on best practices and trends in their field(s) of expertise through professional participation and development, active participation with DOE and other National Laboratory CFOs.
• As a member of the Senior Management Leadership Team, is expected to be knowledgeable of and influence all aspects of Laboratory Operations plans and offerings. In this role, the CFO and peers share a collaborative responsibility for the success of SLAC.
• Collaborates with Stanford University senior business services managers to formulate, review and/or amend University business services policies.
• Works collaboratively with the DOE SLAC Site Office (SSO) on issues of mutual interest; collaborates with peer CFOs throughout the DOE laboratory complex; responds to requests from the DOE; and collaborates with other managers to achieve the success of SLAC.

To be successful in this position you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting or business administration/business computer science and ten years of relevant experience or a combination of education and relevant experience. Advanced degree and/or CPA strongly preferred.
• Broad subject matter expertise in all aspects of Business Services responsibilities including financial, contractual, accounting, audit, and controls.
• Knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Cost Accounting Standards and familiarity with DOE Accounting Manual.
• Strong experience working as or for the Chief Financial Officer in a National Laboratory, Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), University or other "not for profit" scientific or research institution and background with funding from the federal government.
• In depth understanding of electronic financial and procurement systems is required and actual experience with PeopleSoft, Workday Adaptive Budget and Oracle Financials is preferred.
• Proven ability to develop and utilize metrics with demonstrated results, and experience in the oversight and implementation of institutional controls and guidelines.
• Ability to interpret and apply understanding of key financial measures, analyze data and situations, develop, and evaluate effective options, and make quality recommendations and decisions for the betterment of the institution.

Required Leadership Abilities and Competencies:

• Demonstrated leadership skills, successful experience with organizational development and staff development, and a proven ability to create and manage change.
• Proven strategic and innovative thinker who plans and makes decisions within the framework of the Institution's strategic intent.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively discuss, influence, partner with, and deliver presentations and reports to all levels of the organization, and to external stakeholders.
• Solid interpersonal skills to work and interact effectively with internal colleagues at every level of the organization representing a broad range of skills and experiences, and the ability to build coalitions and inter-functional teams to leverage synergistic relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively build and maintain working partnerships with external stakeholders – including Stanford University, the Department of Energy Headquarters Budget Office / DOE Site Office / DOE Service Centers, and the DOE National Lab Complex.
• Strong ability to negotiate mutually beneficial outcomes, managing conflict, and motivating others to action.
• The ability to maneuver through complex policy, process, and people-related organizational dynamics.
• Project management skills are desired. Experience with DOE minor projects, major projects, IGPP/GPP capital projects along with DOE 413.3B requirements would be beneficial but not required.
• Ability to multi-task via strong planning, organizing, and time management skills.
• Strong bias to take action, persevere through challenges, solve problems, and drive for on-time results within costs without sacrificing safety, quality, and SLAC core values.

Physical requirements and Working conditions:

• Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.
• This leadership position requires a full-time, on-site presence at our main location to ensure effective collaboration within our laboratory.

Work standards:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues, DOE stakeholders and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety and Diversity: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for environment, safety and security, diverse views and equitable treatment for staff and management.

Classification Title: Financial Manager 4

Grade: O, Job Code: 4459

Duration: Regular Continuing

The expected pay range for this position is $275,000 to $320,000 annually. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory/Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.