Manager of Research Administration

Job Summary

This position leads a team of Research Portfolio Managers (RPMs) and Senior RPMs, providing expert support and guidance, strategy, and process development with focus on post-award management and compliance with school, university and sponsor guidance.

About the Role

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University, home to Harvard’s undergraduate program and all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs. The FAS supports a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise research administration team
• Plan workflow and assign portfolio to team members, adjusting as needed
• Lead the resolution of complex research administration problems and guide team of RPMs/Sr. RPMs to generate compliant solutions
• Manage all aspects of individual and team performance by setting standards and expectations around performance, leading annual reviews, and creating pathways to professional growth
• In partnership with department unit leaders, lead hiring efforts and build a strong and effective team
• Strategize and establish process/policy for effective research administration
• In partnership with senior school leadership, set strategies and recommend processes for coordinated interaction with offices such as FAS Finance, OSP, OTD, RCP and OVPR to optimize research administration for faculty clients
• Maintain advanced knowledge and expertise of federal rules, other sponsor regulations and school and university policy to communicate with team and establish standard practice for compliant management of awards
• Compliance and risk management
• Lead audit for area team; provide all documentation and process write-up
• Monitor and track faculty effort commitments and lead effort reporting
• Oversee all sponsored spending to ensure financial integrity and compliance

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

• Ability to build, manage, motivate and mentor a high-performing team
• Advanced analytical ability; expertise with post-award management & compliance
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, advanced Excel skills or equivalent system for financial analysis
• Working knowledge of financial principles budgeting, financial analysis
• MBA or Masters’ degree in relevant field

Working Conditions

This position is designated as a hybrid. Work needs will determine on-campus presence, with an expectation of 1–3 days on campus per week, with flexibility in scheduling onsite days in consultation with the manager and team. On-site attendance requirements may vary based on assigned departments and evolving business needs.

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

• Ability to build, manage, motivate and mentor a high-performing team
• Advanced analytical ability; expertise with post-award management & compliance
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, advanced Excel skills or equivalent system for financial analysis
• Working knowledge of financial principles budgeting, financial analysis
• MBA or Masters’ degree in relevant field

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. This includes generous paid time off, medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage, retirement plans with university contributions, wellbeing and mental health resources, professional development opportunities, and commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes. Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy.