Director of Financial Planning and Analysis

Overview

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, this role leads financial planning and analysis for the organization’s School. The Director of Financial Planning and Analysis is responsible for financial management, budgeting, forecasting, management reporting, and recurring as well as ad hoc analyses.

This position manages a team of three financial analysts and plays a key role in shaping financial strategy by translating complex financial information into clear, actionable insights for senior leadership and a range of stakeholders, including School and University leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual budgeting and strategic planning
  • Direct and oversee all aspects of the School’s annual budget process, including developing guidance and materials, analyzing submissions, leading departmental meetings, and creating a holistic plan aligned with School and University priorities and long-term financial sustainability.
• Develop and maintain multi-year financial planning
  • Build and refine the School’s multi-year financial plan, incorporating assumptions and scenario modeling across a wide range of financial metrics.
  • Synthesize data into presentations and recommendations.
• Manage forecasts and risk/opportunity identification
  • Lead development of monthly forecasts to proactively identify financial risks and opportunities.
  • Provide ad hoc analysis in support of strategic decision-making.
• Create management reporting for leadership
  • Oversee the creation and continuous improvement of management reporting for the CFO, School leadership, and University stakeholders.
• Analyze financial performance and drivers
  • Using data from numerous sources, analyze monthly and year-end financial results and evaluate key drivers and trends.
• Communicate financial insights effectively
  • Design and present financial materials, tailoring communication to both financial and non-financial audiences across the School.
• Collaborate on initiatives and stakeholder engagement
  • Lead or contribute to special projects and strategic initiatives in collaboration with other finance and administrative colleagues, including identifying opportunities to streamline budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
  • Serve as a key liaison to departments, providing guidance on budgeting and financial analysis.
  • Coordinate with leaders from Facilities and IT to ensure long-term capital and technology plans align with financial plans.
  • Serve as a key liaison to the University’s finance team; collaborate with FP&A Directors across Harvard Schools in monthly meetings and represent the School in University-wide initiatives.
• Manage and develop a team
  • Provide effective leadership and direct management of three financial analysts.
  • Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment that supports professional development, accountability, and continuous learning.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 10 years’ relevant work experience
• 7+ years of experience in sponsored research finance within a complex higher education, hospital, healthcare, or academic medical center environment required; higher education experience strongly preferred
• Supervisory experience required

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Master’s Degree in a related field is a plus
• Demonstrated experience leading strategic financial planning and modeling within a large, decentralized organization, preferably in higher education, healthcare, research, or other mission-driven environments
• Strong executive presence; ability to synthesize complex financial information into clear communications and recommendations for senior leadership and non-financial stakeholders
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and navigate ambiguity while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy
• Demonstrated success leading, mentoring, and developing high-performing analytical teams with a collaborative, service-oriented approach
• Experience developing and improving financial reporting, dashboards, and analytical tools to support decision making and operational transparency
• Advanced proficiency in financial systems and data analysis/presentation tools (e.g., Excel modeling, ERP systems, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills and ability to build effective partnerships across multiple financial and administrative areas
• Knowledge of or experience with university budgeting models, sponsored research environments, endowment-funded institutions, or capital planning processes is a plus

Compensation & Benefits

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Salary Grade and Ranges: Salary grade level 060 (corresponding salary range available through the organization’s salary ranges information)

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

• Work format: Primarily remote; scheduling flexibility may be required to come into the office for various meetings and events.
• 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.

Additional Information

• Pre-employment screening: Identity, Education, Criminal, Credit
• Visa sponsorship: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Orientation/review period: This position has a 180 day orientation and review period.
• Workplace health guidance: Employees are strongly encouraged to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Compliance

Standard reference checks and background screenings are required.