Finance Business Partner - Cambridge, MA

February 19, 2026 · 002349SR · Company Description · By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creat ...

Job description

February 19, 2026

002349SR

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

HUIT (Harvard University Information Technology) Finance is seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Financial Analyst with experience in budgets, financial modeling and multi-year project management to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will act as a key liaison between Finance and other business units, providing financial insights, analysis, and support to drive informed decision-making. They will play a crucial role in overseeing financial aspects related to operating and sponsored billing projects.

More About HUIT:

Our Mission:

We empower the Harvard community with essential and transformative technologies to advance education, knowledge, and discovery.

HUIT's core values are:

• Human-centered
• University-focused
• Innovation-driven
• Team-oriented

IT Academy (designed for IT Staff):

HUIT's IT Academy aims to enable each IT staff person to grow professionally and become a trusted partner to her or his team. The IT Academy is built on the belief that every IT staff member across the University (including technology employees at each school and campus) can grow in her or his area of expertise as well as building strong people and project management skills. Learn more here:

Job Description

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Budgeting and Forecasting:

• In coordination with the Director, drive the creation and execution of annual budgets, forecasts, and long-term financial plans.
• Help in development and implementation of strategies for budgeting; forecasting, modeling & projecting; identifying & explaining variances; financial reporting; internal controls; expense reductions; cost containment; and revenue enhancements.
• Develop and provide actionable, strategic recommendations to address challenges within budgets.
• Provide independent viewpoints and special analysis related to budgeting and forecasting.
• Partner with Director and Finance leadership on multi-year financial plans and capital budgeting process.
• Support financial compliance with university policies and procedures and applicable legal rules and regulations.
• Help the development and implementation of rate models to evaluate the financial feasibility, risks and cost structures, and other relevant factors to establish accurate pricing models.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including service owners, VMO team and budget owners to develop rate modeling guide.
• Serve as one of the lead analysts for emerging cost models within HUIT and provide guidance to service owners.

Strategic Financial Planning and Analysis

• Collaborate with multiple business units to develop and review budgets, forecasts, and financial plans.
• Develop complex and sophisticated financial models to analyze current scenarios, project future financial picture and report on actual performance against budget and forecast.
• Contribute to the development of financial tools and dashboards to enhance decision support.
• Prepare accurate and timely financial reports, highlighting budget variances, expenditures, and performance against key financial metrics. Develop and maintain comprehensive database and reporting tools. Generate reports and visualizations to communicate insights to stakeholders. Ensure data accuracy, integrity, and security.
• Partner with business partners to understand their objectives and challenges, offering financial guidance to support strategic decision-making.
• Identify opportunities and champion major initiatives for continuous improvement in support of internal controls and financial reporting processes.
• Act as a trusted advisor to business leaders, fostering strong relationships.

Project Management:

• Manage own portfolio of business unit partners as assigned by Director: Support business owners to develop annual budgets and long-term financial plans, provide analysis and insights to support strategic planning and advise on financial implications of operational decisions to optimize financial outcomes.
• Collaborate with systems and various financial partners in the development of future financial reporting.
• Support Director in the development of all HUIT project proposals.
• Continuously evaluate and enhance existing tools to meet evolving business needs.

Business Process Improvement:

• Work closely with service owners, FP&A Department and various financial partners to understand their financial and reporting needs.
• Recommend and identify process opportunities and automation solutions to improve financial reporting efficiency and accuracy.
• Support streamline of workflows and enhance productivity.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to identify areas for financial improvement.

Engagement and Leadership

• As a member of the Finance FP&A team, foster a collaborative, supportive and results-oriented culture and promote an inclusive and innovative work environment.
• Can serve as consultant to senior leaders on key strategic finance questions.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements within the FP&A department, implementing best practices to enhance efficiency.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

Basic Qualifications are the minimum threshold a candidate must meet in order to be considered for this role.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 7 years' relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Strong financial analysis, modeling, and forecasting skills.
• Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy in financial reporting.
• Knowledge of sponsored-billing regulations, accounting principles, and financial reporting.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with stakeholders.
• Ability to translate financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders.

Additional Information

Working Conditions:

• Onsite work will be performed in an office setting.

Standard Hours/Schedule: Monday-Friday 9:00-5:00

This is a hybrid position.

• This position requires onsite work an average of 2-days per months as well as ad-hoc for business needs and stakeholder meetings.
• The hire must live and work from one of the following commutable states; Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont.

Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity

Other Information:

• Please provide a cover letter and resume as one document with your application.
• This position has a 180-day orientation and review period.

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Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University's Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• 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 our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

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. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.