Strategy and Finance Associate
Strategy and Finance Associate
General Summary
We are seeking a Strategy & Finance Associate to work directly with our Chief of Staff. This individual will be a key contributor to several strategic initiatives, including due diligence for significant investment opportunities, enterprise-wide project management, and implementation of new programs. In this role, the Strategy & Finance Associate will also work with our leadership team to create shared context, drive clarity, and appropriately prioritize time, attention, and resources towards Southern Research’s key areas of focus.
We are looking for an energetic and nimble executer who thinks critically, relishes details, effectively collaborates with leadership to achieve mission-critical outcomes, and has demonstrated an interest in scientific research, commercialization, and economic growth. This team member will develop skills in strategic financial planning, project management, biotech research, and economic development.
Key Responsibilities
- Works directly with Chief of Staff and other senior leaders to identify, shape, and prioritize objectives across strategic projects
- Translate data and information into comprehensible spreadsheets and presentations using graphs, charts, bullet points, images and video for senior leadership at Southern Research, UAB, and other key partners
- Serve as a thought partner to the leadership team on cross-functional operational and strategic topics including but not limited to -- long-term vision, issues of execution, areas for operational improvement, brand, internal and external communications, and stakeholder management
- Use internal data and your own analytical skills to guide goal setting and tracking for your work streams and shared leadership initiatives
- Escalate and help to resolve mission-critical challenges and developments
- Co-lead the Strategic Planning process, including stakeholder engagement, synthesizing research and feedback, drafting and development communications
Minimum Qualifications
- 1-2 years of experience in finance, consulting, translational research, or corporate strategy OR post-graduate degree in business, finance, or biological sciences
- Passionate about economic development and innovation -- Authentic desire in innovation-driven economic development through translation of excellent scientific research
- Highly collaborative -- You care less about who did it than how it got done. You take deep pride in shared outcomes and you really believe the whole is greater than the sum of the parts when it comes to team efforts.
- Nimble executor – translating goals and objectives into actionable business priorities and work streams for the team to execute is second-nature for you.
- Excellent written communication skills -- Highly skilled in writing great emails, an expert in shorter vs longer summaries, and known for making amazing PowerPoint decks
- Embraces process refinement – We believe strongly that “getting it right is more important than being right.” If you observe details to continuously improve processes, look for opportunities to create regular feedback loops to refine, and love measuring what matters, we are looking for you.
- In compliance with federal mandates, effective December 8, 2021; Southern Research will require that all newly hired employees show proof of full COVID vaccination or authorized exemption prior to their start date.
ABOUT SOUTHERN RESEARCH
Southern Research (SR) represents a bold vision for an enduring industry-university partnership that advances research and discovery in life sciences and engineering. As we celebrate our 80th anniversary, we are making transformational decisions to reinvigorate the institute by focusing our efforts to attract, retain, and develop top talent, and ultimately create jobs through translating ideas into innovation, and innovation into economic opportunity.