Position Details
Position Information
Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26224
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Jayne Morrow
Director of QCORE
jayne.morrow@montana.edu (%20jayne.morrow@montana.edu)
Classification Title Finance Professional
Working Title Program and Finance Manager
Brief Position Overview
QCORE is looking for a Program and Finance Manager to join our growing team! This position will manage critical project aspects of Department of Defense ( DOD ) R&D efforts, liaising between industry and the DOD to deliver results that make a real difference to the warfighter. Key elements to this role will include effective project task, cost, and schedule management, direct government partner engagement and communication throughout project life cycles, identification and management of third-party resources, and coordination of procurement of goods and services to execute on project deliverables.
Position Number 4C6560
Department Physics
Division College of Letters & Science
Appointment Type Professional
Contract Term Fiscal Year
Semester
If other, specify From date
If other, specify End date
FLSA Exempt
Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining
FTE 1.0
Benefits Eligible Eligible
Salary Starting at $80,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications
Contract Type LOA
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type Open
Position Details
General Statement
QCORE's primary objective is to empower Montana's quantum ecosystem by uniting cutting-edge research, industry partnerships, and community engagement - enabling breakthrough technologies that shape the future of quantum innovation. The vision of QCORE is to lead Montana's transformation into a global powerhouse for quantum-enabled technologies by 2035, fostering economic growth, academic excellence and a resilient, future-focused workforce.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Program and Finance Manager will utilize their strong project and fiscal management experience to successfully meet all project deliverables and customer expectations.
This position will develop and implement long-term operational and financial strategies for QCORE , making critical decisions that impact the entire organization. This position provides high-level financial oversight, strategic planning, program planning, analysis, and compliance leadership, including regularly and simultaneously supporting a minimum of 3-5 active projects, while coordinating with Fiscal Shared Services, which performs the unit's transactional accounting functions. Duties will include the following:
Support QCORE leadership in planning, developing, managing, overseeing, and communicating the execution of project plans and deliverables, including monitoring all assigned projects, adhering to and adjusting project plans, reporting on tasks and budgets, and ensuring that milestones are met and deliverables align with customer expectations.
Develop, manage, and oversee project budgets, ensuring proper allocation of resources to support the organization's primary efforts. Provide program management and fiscal guidance to QCORE leadership, coordinating with Fiscal Shared Services ( FSS ) for transactional processing to ensure timely, accurate, and appropriate expenditures.
Ensure expenditures meet State of Montana and Federal compliance guidelines, interfacing effectively with FSS and MSU administrative offices, including the Office of Sponsored Programs and University Financial Services.
Collaborate with QCORE leadership team and FSS to develop new templates, tools, and methods to increase communication and execution of project plans, striving for efficiency, quality, and timely delivery.
Coordinate with and manage teams of people to maintain accurate and timely program management and fiscal management on a range of technical programs.
Assist with Contracted Service Agreements (CSAs), Invitations for Bid (IFBs), Requests for Proposal (RFPs), Purchase Orders (POs), and/or Task Orders (TOs) in support of project deliverables.
Comply at all times with the Confidentiality Agreements governing non-disclosure of information encountered in the course of your duties, and the QCORE Technology Control Plan governing security and work controls. Both agreements will be signed by each employee and will remain in effect for the duration of employment.
Serve as the primary resource for program oversight and compliance with Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance 2 CFR Part 200) and the Federal Acquisition Regulation ( FAR ).
Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Management, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in financial and operational management with emphasis on accurately analyzing, interpreting, preparing, and monitoring financial data while meeting critical deadlines.
Demonstrated competence and experience in development, analysis, and execution of complex programs, including budgets, long-range business and financial management plans for a large organization.
Demonstrated experience using enterprise accounting systems, financial relational database programs, as well as Microsoft suite.
Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Experience in a higher education institution, nonprofit organization, or government agency.
Experience working with Montana State University policies, procedures, and systems, including Ellucian Banner.
Experience working with federal grant regulations under 2 CFR 200 and FAR .
The Successful Candidate Will
Ability to interpret, apply, and communicate a wide variety of financial and contractual policies and procedures to key stakeholders.
Ability to organize and prioritize workload while working under minimum supervision.
Represent QCORE in a professional manner at all times, collaborating effectively with internal and external stakeholders and the public to accomplish operational goals.
Possess effective listening skills and communicate clearly and effectively in both written and verbal formats as well as the ability to work in a team.
Exercise sound judgement and initiative in decision-making, while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality.
Find creative solutions to challenges, adapt to changing circumstances and maintain motivation and resilience during periods of adversity.
Display strong attention to detail while maintaining a strategic, big-picture perspective.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This position is contingent upon continued grant funding.
This position requires ability to travel via all modes of transport when necessary to interact with QCORE partners and customers, including travel throughout the Continental United States as well as Alaska, Hawaii, U.S territories and possessions, and possibly other worldwide locations.
Successful candidate must be able to comply with the federally mandated requirements of U.S. export control laws, which may require proof that candidate is a U.S. person. Per 22 CFR §120.15, U.S. person means a person who is a lawful permanent resident as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties? No
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search.
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on January 6, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran's Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran's preference, please complete the veteran's preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
