Assistant Director of Finance

Additional Qualifications and SkillsThe following job-specific skills and competencies are preferred:Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, advanced Excel skillsWorking knowledge of financial principles budgeting, financial analysisSupervisory experienceMaster's DegreeCRA certificationAdvanced knowledge of sponsored research regulationsPrior supervisory experienceExtensive experience with ExcelExperience working with research faculty in a higher education andor hospital settingAdvanced working knowledge of research compliance issues, key federal grant regulations, and other related compliance issuesExperience with Harvard University regulationsExtensive pre- and post-award management experience, as well as 3+ years of project management experienceExperience managing progressively more complex awards and working with a variety of sponsorsExperience with HarvardSPH systems (GMAS, CREW, OBI, PI Dashboard, Wasabi) preferredAdvanced Excel skillsKnowledge of human subject use, animal use and other research compliance areasAdditional InformationJoin the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country!The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.This position has a 90 day orientation and review period. The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines.EEO StatementWe are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.Basic Qualifications Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required Minimum of 5 years' relevant work experience Advanced knowledge of sponsored research regulations Position DescriptionThe Assistant Director of Finance will support innovative research at the world's leading public health research institution. Areas of research are focused across nine academic departments which include Biostatistics, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Global Health & Population, Health Policy & Management, Immunology & Infectious Disease, Molecular Metabolism, Nutrition and Social Behavioral Sciencesas well as various Centers across the School. This role will primarily support Environmental Health, a department that is at the forefront of a global mission to help people live healthier, safer lives on a sustainable planet. The Assistant Director of Finance is an integral part of the research enterprise and works in close partnership with faculty members on the financial management of their research portfolio. The Assistant Director of Finance will oversee the financial management and administration of sponsored and non-sponsored awards, with a focus on customer service. This role will also supervise a team of direct reports that manage a diverse and challenging portfolio of federal and non-federal grants, subawards and contracts. The Assistant Director of Finance's duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:Supervising a team of 4-5 grants managers, including time approvals, annual performance reviews, performance management; delegating tasks and monitoring team workflowMentoring staff on sponsored pre- and post-award management and on substantial non-sponsored fund managementEnsuring sponsored data integrity in Harvard's GMAS databaseEnsuring proper financial management and administration of a research portfolio in the range of $7M-10M annually (~2-3 PIs)Advising on best practices for research administration, as well as on research compliance, how to handle issues related to a highly-complex portfolio of grants, and allowability of costsInterpreting regulations and guidelines of program funding for standard grants; evaluating, implementing, and disseminating policies and procedures to others within the department; ensuring complianceIdentifying and resolving any compliance or policy issues (for example, Provost review criteria, F&A recovery, cost sharing, etc.)Responding to any central requests for data or reportingApprovals of salary allocations, costing changes, journal transmissionsReviewing and approving expenditures across the team of sponsored and non-sponsored spending; approving salary allocation and effort distributions; approving accounts payable, invoices, reimbursements, and journal entriesThis is a post-award focused role, but some pre-award responsibilities are required such as JITs and Supplements, for which responsibilities include:Developing and overseeing the grant proposal and submission process including budgeting, collecting required documentation, and completing proposal forms through GMAS andor other electronic systemsAssisting the Associate Director of Finance with the Annual Budget Process; assists team members in managing complex projects, including substantial sponsored and non-sponsored activitiesCoordinating with Associate Director of Finance in fiscal year closings and for all audits under the team's research portfolio.Managing Departmental Reporting to various central offices, including Monthly Post Award Metrics Report, Quarterly Sub Recipient Monitoring Reports, Quarterly OSP Finance Reports; responding to central requests for data and reportsReviewing and approving expendituresApproving accounts payable, invoices, reimbursements, and journal entriesEvaluating, implementing, and disseminating policies and procedures to others within the team & departmentSupervise the processing of invoices and day-to-day monitoring of budgets and procurement requests as neededPerforms other related duties as requiredCommitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and BelongingAt the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, we believe that diversity is integral to the Harvard experience and our mission of improving public health education, research and policy. Diversity of cultural backgrounds, identities, lived experiences, perspectives, and ways of understanding the world enriches our community and enables us to best meet the public health needs of the United States and the world. Ongoing learning and development related to diversity allows for both individual and institutional growth, and is necessary to foster and sustain a culture of inclusion. To achieve this, we are committed to ensuring equitable access to opportunities for learning, living, and working at the Harvard Chan School. We maintain an unwavering dedication to diversity, inclusion, and belonging as core to our institutional values and to actively counter, minimize, and address racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, gender bias, and all forms of discrimination.Learn more about the School's mission, objectives, and core values, our Principles of Citizenship, and our diversity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives. BenefitsWe invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrativeprofessional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in DecemberJanuary, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.WorkLife and Wellness: Child and elderadult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn muting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.Work Format DetailsThis position is eligible for 100% remote work. Employees may work from any of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.About UsThe mission of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is to advance the public's health through learning, discovery and communication. To pursue the mission, the school produces knowledge through research then translates this knowledge into evidence that can be communicated to the public, policymakers, and practitioners to advance the health of populations. The Office of Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) supports the School's mission by serving as a central resource for the research community through the provision of expertise and leadership in obtaining and managing research funds. It acts as the institutional representative of the President and Fellows of Harvard College for the administration of sponsored projects for the school. SPA is comprised of research administrators that work in partnership with faculty to review and submit proposals for funding and to ensure that proposals and then awards conform and are managed according to sponsor guidelines and University policies.

Created: 2025-02-18