Associate Director of Finance

Overview

This role supports the mission of advancing the public’s health through learning, discovery, and communication. The Office of Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) serves as a central resource for the research community by providing expertise and leadership in obtaining and managing research funds. SPA administers sponsored projects for the school as the institutional representative.

The Associate Director of Finance (ADF) is a key departmental leader responsible for overall financial and grants management for a department portfolio, including both sponsored research and non-sponsored funds. This position supervises a team of financial staff and oversees pre- and post-award sponsored research management.

Responsibilities

• Team Management

  • Supervise and train research and financial administrators; provide daily guidance
  • Allocate workloads to maximize research administrator effectiveness
  • Assess performance and conduct staff reviews
  • Serve as a resource for Grants Managers by assisting with interpretation of Harvard, School, and sponsor policies, regulations, and procedures
  • Manage non-sponsored funding, including gifts and endowments

• Oversight of Department’s Sponsored Research

  • Oversee pre- and post-award management for a large portfolio of sponsored research grants and subcontracts, a large portion of which is from the NIH
  • Provide guidance to faculty to ensure they have information needed to effectively and compliantly manage funding and effort
  • Develop and implement departmental policies and processes
  • Ensure research administration compliance with sponsor guidelines and Harvard policies
  • Ensure departmental financial transactions are compliant with Harvard and sponsor policies and regulations; approve and transmit most departmental transactions

• Strategic and Financial Leadership

  • Oversee and manage department non-sponsored accounts, including endowments, gifts, start-up funding, and cost recovery centers
  • Collaborate with academic staff on student finances and financial planning
  • Prepare the annual Department budget with the Department Administrator and senior leadership
  • Work with senior management (including the Director of Administration, Department Chair, and directors of educational programs and student services) to develop and implement strategic financial plans
  • Participate in School-wide and University-wide initiatives and meetings

• Other Duties

  • Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
  • Minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience
  • Advanced knowledge of sponsored research regulations
  • Supervisory experience

• Additional Qualifications and Skills

  • MBA or Master’s degree in relevant field
  • CRA certification
  • Strong computing skills, particularly with Microsoft Excel and Word
  • Experience with Microsoft Office Suite and advanced Excel skills
  • Knowledge of advanced financial principles, budget management, and financial analysis
  • Expert knowledge of federal sponsored research policies and regulations strongly preferred
  • Experience working with international projects
  • Education and/or experience with general finance and accounting concepts and practices
  • Knowledge of Harvard systems including GMAS, HART, Buy2Pay, and Concur
  • Knowledge of human subject use, animal use, and other research compliance areas
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Effective interpersonal skills
  • Experience working with faculty and students
  • Ability to assess priorities, manage change, and juggle multiple complex activities in a time-sensitive environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of federal sponsored research policies and regulations
• Experience working with international projects
• MBA or Master’s degree in a relevant field
• CRA certification

Compensation & Benefits

• Schedule: 35 hours per week

• Salary Grade: 058 (corresponding salary range is referenced by the employer’s salary ranges)

• Benefits include (but are not limited to):

  • Generous paid time off including parental leave
  • Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
  • Retirement plans with university contributions
  • Wellbeing and mental health resources
  • Support for families and caregivers
  • Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
  • Commuter benefits, discounts, and campus perks

Location & Work Format

• This position is determined to be performed fully remotely at a non-Harvard location.
• Fully remote employees must work all scheduled hours in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts.
• At the discretion of the department, fully remote employees may occasionally be required on site at a Harvard location.
• Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location.
• Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Additional Information

• Visa Sponsorship: The employer is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position (now or in the future).
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal, Credit
• Orientation/Review Period: 90 day orientation and review period.
• Health Guidance: Encouragement to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

EEO/Non-Discrimination

The employer is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination and seeks talent from all parts of society and the world.