Associate Director of Finance

About the Role

The Associate Director of Finance (ADF) supports innovative research at the world’s leading public health research institution, working across the Department of Environmental Health and the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies (HCPDS). This role is a key departmental leader responsible for overall financial and grants management, supervising a team of financial staff, and ensuring compliance with sponsor guidelines and University policies. The ADF reports to the Director of Finance, Administration, and Compliance in Sponsored Programs Administration, with joint reporting lines to the Director of Administration (EH) and the Deputy Director (HCPDS).

Responsibilities

• Team Management
  • Supervising and training research and financial administrators; providing daily guidance
  • Allocating workloads to maximize research administrator effectiveness
  • Assessing performance and conducting reviews for staff
  • Serving as a resource for Grants Managers by assisting them in interpreting Harvard, School, and sponsor policies, regulations, and procedures
  • Having overall responsibility for the management of non-sponsored funding, including gifts and endowments
• Oversight of Department’s Sponsored Research
  • Overseeing pre- and post-award management for a large portfolio of sponsored research grants and subcontracts, primarily from the NIH
  • Providing guidance to faculty to ensure they effectively and compliantly manage their funding and effort
  • Developing and implementing departmental policies and processes
  • Ensuring research administration compliance with sponsor guidelines and Harvard policies
  • Ensuring departmental financial transactions comply with Harvard and sponsor policies and regulations; approves and transmits most departmental transactions
• Strategic and Financial Leadership
  • Oversight and management of the department’s non-sponsored accounts, including endowments, gifts, start-up funding, and cost recovery centers
  • Collaborating with academic staff regarding student finances and financial planning
  • Preparing the annual Department budget in collaboration with the Department Administrator and senior leadership
  • Working closely with senior management to develop and implement strategic financial plans
  • Participating in School-wide and University-wide initiatives and meetings
• Performs other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
  • 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 a 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

Schedule

35 hours per week. This position is fully remote, with occasional requirements to be on-site at a Harvard location.

Pay

This position is salary grade level 058. Visit Harvard's Salary Ranges for the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

• 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