Senior Director of Operations and Finance
New Today
At the forefront of medical discovery as it relates to understanding the causes of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia, Pennington Biomedical Research Center is a campus of Louisiana State University and conducts basic, clinical and population research. The Center includes Basic Science, Clinical Research, and Population and Public Health, enabling both focused research and translational science. Research at Pennington Biomedical is supported broadly by multiple NIH Research Centers, and includes approximately 65 faculty and 20 postdoctoral fellows who comprise a network of 44 laboratories and 13 highly specialized core service facilities. Pennington Biomedical is located within state-of-the-art research facilities on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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Job Posting Title:
Senior Director of Operations and Finance
Position Type:
Professional / Unclassified
Department:
LSUPBRC ExD - Operations (Guy Joel Lavergne (00012289))
Work Location:
LSU - Pennington Biomedical
Pay Grade:
Professional
Job Description:
Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a world-renowned academic research institute of Louisiana State University, is seeking seeking an exceptionally innovative, dynamic, and strategic leader to serve as the Senior Director of Operations and Finance.
The Senior Director will work with the Associate Executive Director of Operations & CFO to provide direction and support to the Pennington Biomedical administration, and will be responsible for providing professional counsel and advice, exercising leadership and guidance, formulating and administering policies and procedures, and coordinating & directing all activities of operational nature at PBRC within the broad scope of authority delegated to this position.
In addition to strategic planning, financial management, and resource allocation within the institution, this position will also collaborate with academic and administrative leaders across the other LSU campuses. This position will exercise supervisory responsibility over the administrative directors who carry out the normal operating functions of the Pennington Biomedical administration.
This position is crucial to the overall success and sustainability of Pennington Biomedical Research Center.
Job Responsibilities
- As a trusted advisor, this position provides expert advice to the Executive Director and Executive Committee on operational and financial matters to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the implications of institutional decisions.
- Specify operating parameters and procedures for all Center operations through the promulgation of Center-wide directives and policies.
- This position is responsible for developing and implementing long-term strategies that support Pennington Biomedical's mission and goals while identifying and mitigating risks. This includes forecasting financial trends, preparing budgets, allocating costs, ensuring continuity of operations and ensuring the institution's financial stability.
- Works directly with the Director of Legal and Regulatory regarding compliance and governance to ensure that the institution's operations and financial practices comply with all relevant laws, regulations, and policies.
- Works directly with the Chief of Staff on center-wide priorities, special initiatives, and overall operations, ensuring alignment across strategic, administrative, and programmatic efforts.
- Works directly with the Senior Director of Communications to ensure that operational plans and financial strategies are clearly communicated to internal stakeholders, staff, and external partners, supporting the institution's mission, transparency, and public engagement.
- Works directly with the Director of Institutional Relations to ensure alignment on legislative priorities.
- Works closely with the Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation CFO to ensure alignment between institutional financial planning and philanthropic resource management, coordinating on budgeting, fund transfers, and compliance to maximize the impact of private support on PBRC's priorities.
- Provides oversight and broad direction to the following:
- The Director of Institutional Research on the preparation and management of the university's budget to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively to support academic programs, research initiatives, and campus operations.
- The Director of Human Resource Management to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations regarding equal employment and program opportunities, administration of employee retirement and benefits programs, provision of employee orientation and training programs, safety programs, and related activities
- The Director of Facilities Management regarding the security and safety of the property, operation and maintenance of the buildings, grounds, and major equipment and systems, planning and administration of renovation and construction projects, and administration of energy management programs.
- The Director of Computing Services regarding the provision both directly and indirectly of centralized hardware and distributive processing support and resources for administrative, academic, and research purposes.
- The Director of Sponsored Projects regarding policies, procedures, and criteria for the review and approval of all contracts between the Center and other state or external agencies, firms and individuals.
- The Director of Fiscal Operations regarding the accounting, payroll, accurate and timely preparation of financial statements and reports both internal and external, procurement, and financial practices to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.
The ideal candidate will possess:
- A bachelor's degree form an accredited institution in Business Administration, Public Administration, Management, Finance or a related field;
- A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in operations or management, including at least three (3) years in a senior leadership role.
Preferred qualifications include:
- An MBA, MPA or a master's degree in a related field from an accredited institution;
- Experience in a public university or research setting.
Pennington Biomedical Research Center (PBRC) is an equal employment opportunity employer and serves as a model employer for individuals with disabilities.
Additional Job Description:
As an employee of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, you will be required to familiarize yourself with and comply with the policies and procedures governing the faculty and staff of the Center and the Louisiana State University System. This includes La. R.S. 42:31 which requires that "any person hired or employed in an unclassified position....and whose annual salary or rate of compensation is equal to, or exceeds $100,000, shall, within thirty days of being hired or employed at such salary, provide proof to his public employer that he has been issued a Louisiana driver's license and that all vehicles registered in his name are registered in Louisiana."
Competencies:
None
Special Instructions:
Interested candidates should attach a resume and a letter of application/cover letter. An official transcript is required prior to hire and is not required at the time of application.
Posting Date:
July 28, 2025
Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):
August 25, 2025
Additional Position Information:
Pennington Biomedical is located within state-of-the-art research facilities on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For more information, visit PBRC.
Questions regarding career opportunities at Pennington Biomedical should be sent to hrm@pbrc.edu.
Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.
Benefits - Pennington Biomedical Research Center offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!
Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University's partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.
Essential Position (Y/N):
Pennington Biomedical Research Center/LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Contact Information:
Questions or concerns can be directed to PBRC Human Resources at 225-763-2776 or hrm@pbrc.edu.
- Location:
- Baton Rouge