Harvard University

Senior Director, Finance and Administration
Harvard Kennedy School
52360BR

Job Summary

Responsible for the overall direction and oversight of financial operations, which may include payroll, accounting, accounts payable/receivable, procurement, capital projects, endowment funding, research administration, or other function.

Job Code
F0859M Financial Admin Ops Mgt V

Job-Specific Responsibilities
The Senior Director of Finance and Administration serves as the senior administrative officer within The Center for Public Leadership (CPL). The Senior Director is responsible for guiding financial planning, policy and processes for a $12M+ business unit within Harvard Kennedy School (HKS); and for overseeing the range of HR, IT and other operational infrastructure needed to support a robust program of student fellowships, faculty research, and programmatic initiatives. Supervising a staff of approximately 4-5 people, the Senior Director serves as the principal liaison to Kennedy School and University financial leadership, and works in collaboration with the Executive Director to liaise broadly with the HKS administration around a range of other operational issues. The Senior Director also works closely with all CPL departments, programs and initiatives to ensure effective operational planning, to develop as well as to monitor financial and operational policies and compliance. The Senior Director will work closely with the CPL Executive Director to ensure that CPL resources are being prudently and strategically deployed among faculty and programs in order to grow CPL and advance its mission. As a member of the senior management team, the Senior Director contributes substantially to overall leadership of the Center.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategy

• Serve as member of both the CPL senior management team and program director team
• Liaise regularly across all CPL programs to ensure strong operational support
• Work closely with the Center Director and Executive Director to develop CPL strategy
• Oversee operational matters related to executing on the strategy
• Support development and implementation of criteria for faculty engagement, membership, retention and financial incentives

Finance

• Oversee current CPL finances of roughly ~$18M revenue and ~$12M in expenses, ~$90-$100M market cap for endowment; with a view to growing revenue and endowment income
• Work with Executive Director to develop overall business model and sustainability for CPL
• Develop multi-year financial planning; design and oversee financial reporting metrics and tools to support strategic decision-making
• Serve as primary point of contact for the Kennedy School's Office of Financial Services (OFS)
• Annual budgets, reconciliations and audits
• Develop and manage budgeting and accounting systems for sponsored awards, grants and gifts
• Accounts payable and financial compliance
• Procurement and contract negotiations
• Develop and manage criteria and guidelines for internal awards for faculty research and program initiatives

Operations

• Capital projects and physical space, including facilities requests, furniture orders and designs, maintenance, etc.
• General office operations and administration, including supplies and inventory
• Staff training on core functions such as finance, compliance, HR and other policies
• Lead development and communication of policies and procedures for general office operations
• Liaise with other heads of Finance and Operations across HKS and Harvard University around process improvement, policies and procedures
• Security/evacuation/emergency response
• Regular staff meetings and communications planning

IT

• Oversee/manage all IT infrastructure - equipment and systems (phone, computers, copiers, etc.)
• Oversee data analytics
• Oversee system implementations
• Participate in HKS IT affinity group

HR

• Onboarding/offboarding processes, including staff, fellows, temps and independent contractors
• Training around finance and HR policies and compliance
• Support to managers on HR issues, such as job scoping, flex time, hiring of temporary workers and vendors, etc.
• Regular maintenance of CPL org chart and job descriptions

Typical Core Duties

• Responsible for effective staff management for a group or team of employees, including hiring and orientation, training and development, workflow and performance management, and the promotion of an inclusive and innovative work environment
• Manage multiple financial operations, which may include systems development, data analysis, budgeting and reporting while identifying opportunities for operational integration and improvement
• Lead department goal setting, planning, and process development
• Identify potential operational challenges and propose solutions
• Develop and implement operational policies, procedures and training for financial staff
• Manage ongoing relationships with external vendors and consultants
• Collaborate with university-wide leadership to continuously approve processes, policies and procedures
• Ensure financial compliance with University policies and procedures and applicable legal rules and regulations

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 8 years' relevant work experience
• Supervisory experience

Additional Qualifications

• MBA or Master's degree in relevant field desirable
• Strong accounting, budgeting, analytic, and management skills needed, including understanding of GAAP accounting principles and familiarity with SAS112 regulations.
• Excellent communication skills required, both verbal and written.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a process, as well as to work in a collaborative environment to achieve
• agreed-upon objectives.
• Proven ability to handle sensitive data with discretion, creatively solve financial problems, generate
• new and improved financial processes and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Expert user of Excel and enterprise financial systems, as well as other Microsoft Office tools.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in an office setting

Job Function
Finance

Sub Unit
------------

Location
USA - MA - Cambridge

Department
Center for Public Leadership

Time Status
Full-time

Union
00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Salary Grade
059

Pre-Employment Screening
Credit, Criminal, Education, Identity

EEO Statement
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.





Apply Here

PI121677714