Manager of Non-Sponsored Funds

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About the Faculty of Arts and Sciences

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

About the Role

Manage accounting activities and provide specialized analysis and financial reporting for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) non-sponsored funds portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial operations and planning for FAS non-sponsored funds, including endowments, current use gifts, construction gifts, loan funds, and unrestricted designated funds.
• Ensure non-sponsored funds are properly managed, utilized, and aligned with FAS priorities in compliance with donor terms and regulatory requirements.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for non-sponsored funds, collaborating with FAS departments, centers, and University offices such as the Office of Gift Administration and the Office of the Controller.
• Supervise the Non-Sponsored Funds team and manage the lifecycle of funds, including creation, acknowledgment of terms, release from restriction audits, donor relations, stewardship requests, and fund write-offs or disabling.
• Conduct routine review and analysis of non-sponsored fund balances (currently $1.3 billion across nearly 10,000 individual funds).
• Develop plans for "Hard to Use" funds (narrow or outdated terms) and "Stranded/Idled" funds (broad terms that could be spent but are not) in collaboration with FAS leadership and Development.
• Gather and analyze metrics to identify streamlining opportunities in financial reporting across systems.
• Work with departments supported by unrestricted monies to identify areas where restricted funds may be used.
• Identify operational challenges and implement solutions for managing non-sponsored funds, including:
  • Management of centrally-controlled funds to determine best application based on donor terms and FAS priorities.
  • Partnering with the Faculty Finance Manager on the use of professorship funds.
  • Partnering with the FAS CFO on the use of the Edgerly Family Dean’s discretionary funds.
  • Reviewing decapitalization and capitalization requests and recommending appropriate action.
• Ensure financial compliance with University policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
• Monitor non-sponsored funds in deficit and work with departments and FAS leadership to reduce or eliminate deficits by fiscal year-end.
• Routinely review FAS non-sponsored funds with standing orders to ensure appropriateness and necessity.
• Design, develop, and manage financial training programs.
• Responsible for effective staff management, including hiring, orientation, training, workflow, performance management, and fostering an inclusive and innovative work environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience.
• Supervisory experience.

Qualifications

• MBA or Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Demonstrated experience with financial systems and data query tools, including Harvard systems such as HART, Oracle Financials, and Advance.
• Advanced knowledge of accounting principles and tax regulations.
• Experience with MS Office Suite, advanced Excel skills.
• Knowledge of fund accounting and basic understanding of non-profit regulations.
• Ability to handle complex and confidential information with discretion.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strategic thinking skills and effective interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams and manage multiple complex activities in a time-sensitive environment.

Preferred Certifications

CPA certification is desirable.

Schedule

35 hours per week. This is a hybrid position requiring 3 days on campus.

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.

Learn more about these and additional benefits on the Benefits & Wellbeing Page.