Position: Director of Finance and Research Administration — Full-Time
Location: Boston, MA (hybrid; some duties may be performed at a non-Harvard location, with work location rules set by the department)
Salary: $104,400 – $182,600 (salary grade level 059)
Department: Department of Health Care Policy (HCP), Harvard Medical School
Standard Hours: 35 hours per week

About the Department: HCP is a dynamic, data-driven research environment bringing together economists, statisticians, physicians, and health services researchers focused on improving public health through policy research and education.

Role Overview: The Director of Finance (DOF) is a key member of the departmental leadership team, responsible for all department finances (school, sponsored, gift, and other funds) and financial operations (accounting, procurement, accounts payable, and award compliance). Reporting to the Executive Director (ED), the DOF partners with colleagues across functions to manage financial risk, close operational gaps, and improve financial processes, while playing a central role in departmental strategic planning.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Sponsored Research Administration/Compliance

• Review and approve all sponsored proposals: ensure budget accuracy and compliance with local, school, University, and sponsor policies; flag concerns or planning/capacity needs pre-submission; advise team and faculty on best practice
• Oversee all post-award reporting and compliance with award terms; ensure faculty receive timely financial updates, analysis, and projections; closely monitor complex awards
• Stay current on federal (NIH, AHRQ, NBER, etc.) and non-federal (Warren Alpert Foundation, Commonwealth Fund, etc.) sponsor policy changes and communicate impact to faculty
• Ensure overall departmental compliance with University and sponsored research rules and regulations

Financial Management & Budgeting

• Develop the department’s annual operating budget and narrative; monitor budget vs. actuals throughout the fiscal year; report status to HMS OoF
• Serve as the department’s primary expert and advisor on financial health, providing the Chair and ED with analysis, strategic guidance, and short-/long-range forecasts (including scenario planning)
• Oversee computational service center and space recovery; manage other department financial resources (gifts, endowments, unrestricted funds) and allocate resources with the Chair/ED
• Ensure soundness of financial policies and controls; coordinate internal/external audits, liaising with RMAS, ORA, OoF, and OSP; develop new policies under HMS guidance; partner with other HCP leads
• Manage year-end close processes, including unrestricted accounts, operating budget closeout, and payroll adjustments
• Oversee department payroll, costing changes, and effort commitments
• Represent the department on relevant school and University financial/sponsored research committees

Leadership & Supervision

• Oversee a team of 4–6 (Senior Grant Managers and a Financial Operations Coordinator); responsible for hiring, training, meeting leadership, workflow direction, performance management, career development, and fostering an inclusive work environment
• Set standards for financial reporting to faculty and leadership; develop team templates and tools
• Serve as primary liaison to HMS’s Office of Finance (OoF), Office of Research Administration (ORA), other HMS/University central offices, and external sponsors/collaborators

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 8 years’ relevant work experience
• Advanced knowledge of sponsored research regulations
• Supervisory experience

Additional Qualifications (preferred/expected):

• MBA or Master’s degree in a relevant field
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite; advanced Excel skills
• Knowledge of advanced financial principles, budget management, and financial analysis
• Experience providing strategic financial guidance and forecasting to senior leadership
• Ability to lead a team and adapt/prioritize under tight deadlines
• Strong customer service orientation with excellent communication and people skills

Additional Details:

• Visa sponsorship: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal, Credit
• Interview Format: Includes both virtual and in-person components (initial virtual screening, followed by on-campus final interviews)
• Work Format: Hybrid position; when not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location

Benefits: Generous paid time off including parental leave; medical, dental, and vision coverage starting day one; retirement plans with university contributions; wellbeing and mental health resources; family/caregiver support; professional development including tuition assistance and reimbursement; commuter benefits, discounts, and campus perks.

Application Link: The posting directs applicants to the Careers@Harvard portal