Associate Director, Research Funding and Business Operations - Boston, MA, United States - Harvard University

Description

Bachelor's degree is required
Experience with financial and systems management, data analysis, planning, and reporting ideally in an academic or research environment.
Financial experience must include accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and modeling.

Strong interpersonal skills, including active listening, excellent written & verbal communication skills, a keen ability to build strong partnerships, and contribute as part of a team.

Extensive experience with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint required.
Proven planning and project management skills required.
Background in sponsored research is desirable but not required.
MBA, M

Individual Faculty Research Budget Support:

Working closely with the Director and other colleagues across the Division and School, the Associate Director supports the development and management of over 300 individual faculty and emeriti research budgets and MBA required curriculum course development budgets totaling roughly $20M.

Assists the Director to develop proposed faculty research budgets and supplement allocations from faculty submissions, engaging with faculty as needed.

Prepares materials for the Senior Associate Deans for Faculty Development and Research to guide them in their budget allocation discussions.

Supports the annual research budget allocation process to ensure timely and successful completion.
Interprets policies and is a central source of information on questions regarding expenses.
Executes substantive analytical projects related to research budget reporting and analysis. Assembles data and performs financial analysis.
Supports the annual budget process document development.
Ensures the web content related to research policy and procedures is accurate and up to date.
Business Operations Support

The Business Operations team supports the management of individual faculty research budgets as well as the administrative budget for the Division.

As part of the team, the Associate Director is involved in projects and activities that support the team's work.

Provides senior level staff support to the Associate Managing Director, Director, and Associate Director in Business Operations as well as the Executive Director of the DRFD on a broad range of business operations and DRFD matters.

Proactively identifies areas for process improvement and increased efficiencies.
Collaborates with other members of the Business Operations team by sharing information and seeking solutions for process improvement.
Works on special projects as assigned.
Represents the Business Operations team on departmental projects.

Harvard's Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institute for Quantitative Social Science (IQSS).

This role is offered as a hybrid (some combination of onsite and remote) where you are required to be onsite at our Boston, MA based campus 3 days per week.

We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role.
Harvard Business School will not offer visa sponsorship for this opportunity.

Culture of Inclusion:

The work and well-being of HBS is profoundly strengthened by the diversity of our network and our differences in background, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and life experiences.

We 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.

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

One of the School's top priorities is unleashing intellectually ambitious research, and the Associate Director, Research Funding and Business Operations will serve as a member of a tightly integrated leadership team in the Division of Research and Faculty Development (DRFD) with a focus on this priority; ensuring that Harvard Business School (HBS) faculty receive the highest level of support, playing a key role as a trusted advisor, and providing direct services to the faculty.

Reporting to the Senior Associate Director for Research Funding and Business Operations, and working closely with members of the Business Operations, Research Administration, and Research Staff Services teams as well as with colleagues across the DRFD, HBS and Harvard, the Associate Director, supports the administration of individual faculty research budgets, course development budgets, and large multi-faculty research projects and the funding channels to support them.

The Associate Director works closely with the Senior Associate Director to support activities related to the development and management of the individual faculty research budgets, providing financial and accounting expertise, document development and support, and policy oversight.

Research Project Funding Support:

The Associate Director is conversant in the existing and emerging large multi-faculty research projects at the School including their goals and the work of the faculty and staff associated with each project.

Maintains close working relationships with faculty and project leads, serving as a resource and primary point of contact, providing support across research projects on financial and budgetary matters and working with colleagues in Research Staff Services (RSS) developing procedures and integrated approaches for staffing support.

Educates faculty and their project leads on the details of the HBS faculty research budget, expense policies and procedures.

Coordinates the development of research project materials for faculty governance meetings and presentations.

Facilitates the connection between research projects and the DRFD, HBS administration, and Harvard, serving as a liaison in all directions, to enhance understanding of existing and emerging activities related to these projects and how best to support them, operationally and financially.

Provides input as needed to individual faculty members and to HBS leadership in the governance of existing projects and discussions of potential new projects, helping to determine appropriate support structures and resources.

Develops administrative approaches to inform financial resource allocation decisions and working with colleagues in RSS helps to create effective staffing models for new and existing research projects.

Communicate recommendations to relevant parties including the Senior Associate Deans for Faculty Development and Research and the Financial Office.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive.

We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

We 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 administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 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.

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits.

Child and elder/adult 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.

Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.

Commuting 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.) The mission of Harvard Business School (HBS) is to educate leaders who make a difference in the world.

Within HBS, the Division of Research and Faculty Development (DRFD) helps to build and develop the faculty and facilitates the creation of enduring knowledge that shapes both business scholarship and the practice of business by providing unparalleled faculty support.

From the time a prospective faculty member is identified as a recruiting candidate, and whether a faculty member spends six months or their entire career at HBS, the DRFD team's focus is to support the success of each individual and contribute to an environment where they can thrive and do their best work in service of the School's mission.

The School's largest administrative department, the DRFD houses approximately 350 full-time and part-time staff members.

As a premier service organization, and in collaboration with colleagues across the School, the DRFD staff delivers high-touch, customized support to the faculty, demonstrating solid judgment and high standards of responsiveness and professionalism.

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