Assistant Director, Compliance and Risk Management

Posting date: April 08, 2026

Job Reference: 002657SR

• Job Type: Full-time
• Location: Cambridge
• School/Unit: Harvard Graduate School of Education
• Salary Grade: 057
• Job Function: Finance
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Term Appointment: No
• Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

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 the Harvard Graduate School of Education?

The Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) is a diverse community of learners, teachers, and employees who are passionate about changing the world through education and striving for maximum impact in the field of education.

Many choose to work at the Harvard Graduate School of Education because they believe in our mission and are excited by our vision for the future. We have a reputation as a great place to work, for our excellent leadership, and we are a strong community that values diversity. For more information about HGSE, its programs, research, and faculty, please visit: www.gse.harvard.edu.

Job Description

The incumbent will assist with and in some instances, manage compliance and risk management activities/functions for the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Under the direction of the HGSE Research Security Administrator, assists with administration of the emerging research security program for HGSE, collaborating, and connecting across multiple offices and roles to ensure HGSE executes and remains in compliance with Harvard’s Research Security policy and procedures.
• In support and under the direction of the HGSE Export Control Administrator, coordinates activities of the HGSE Export Controls (EC) program, including co-designing and launching program activities, communicating school-level information about EC, and coordinating or conducting Visual Compliance checks as required for international partners school-wide. Supports faculty and staff in engaging with the HGSE Export Compliance Program as well as international reviews. Aid the HGSE ECA in the continued rollout of export control activities at HGSE under the University’s Research Security Program (above). Conduct compliance reviews to ensure that HGSE research and sponsored programs are compliant with applicable export control laws and regulations, sponsor terms and conditions, and University and GSE policy.
• Assists Designated Institutional Official (DIO) with oversight of the HGSE outside activities disclosure process, in coordination with relevant staff within the Faculty Affairs, Finance, and Sponsored Projects departments. This encompasses the disclosure of outside activities and financial conflicts of interest for faculty, researchers, and others required to submit disclosures on an annual and/or ad-hoc basis. This will include: Provides support to key officer roles at HGSE, including the HGSE ECA, DIO, RIO and Research Security Administrator. Attaining and maintaining an in-depth understanding of statutory regulations and university/school policies related to financial conflict of interest, outside activities disclosures, effort, and related areas. Identification and verification of individuals required to disclose on a rolling basis. Coordinating review of disclosures as needed, notably including the primary annual review of faculty disclosures. Preparation, review, revision, and dissemination of reports, management plans, policy documents, and guidance as required and appropriate. Ensuring all activities above are administered as required in Harvard’s relevant systems of record, including Outside and Activities Interest Reporting (OAIR) system and the Grants Management Application Suite (GMAS) As needed, communicates relevant information about various compliance regimes to the broader HGSE community, including providing training/guidance to disclosers and others on use of the disclosure system as needed.
• Provide staff support and oversight of the HGSE Committee on International Projects and Sites (CIPS), a faculty committee tasked with providing a school review of all international work proposed at HGSE, sponsored or non-sponsored. Incumbent will collaborate with the HGSE ECA to manage the work of CIPS, facilitate CIPS reviews, ensure communication to faculty about reviews is complete, and maintain documentation of CIPS reviews and meeting minutes. Acts as liaison to University-level offices as needed for certain reviews (e.g., Office for the Vice Provost for Research, University Committee on International Projects and Sites, etc.). Collaborate with the HGSE Office of Sponsored Projects as needed to ensure seamless coordination.
• Assists the School Risk Officer in executing the HGSE Risk Management program. This includes annual reporting, coordinating, and facilitating meetings of the school risk committee, coordinating annual risk reviews and/or risk evaluation exercises.
• Oversee foreign talent program reporting/compliance, and compliance with Foreign Gift and Contract Reporting (section 117).
• Oversee the Payment card Industry (PCI) compliance process in collaboration with the school security officer, the Finance Department, and other GSE units.
• Works with HGSE’s Research Integrity Officer (RIO) to gather data relating to research misconduct, including managing cases if they arise and maintaining up-to-date policies.
• Provide guidance on questions relating to international collaborations and activities under sponsored awards.
• Use knowledge of applicable laws and regulations and University/GSE guidelines and policies to provide advice to department customers and provide a high level of customer service to each party.
• Monitor regulatory changes and participate in working groups as necessary to create and maintain business processes and templates to facilitate compliance.
• Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office setting
• HGSE is currently developing dynamic workplace models which will actively support a combination of on-campus and remote work (within a state in which Harvard is registered to do business) where business and operational needs allow. You and your manager will discuss the best schedule based on your role and operational need. If your role allows for remote work, please note that all remote work must be performed within a state in which Harvard is registered to do business (CA (Only Exempt), CT, GA, IL, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VA, VT, and WA). Please also note that Harvard will withhold each applicable state’s required tax and other withholdings from your paycheck for the time you work there.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 4 years’ relevant work experience
• Advanced knowledge of sponsored research regulations
• Any candidate wishing to be considered must supply a cover letter in addition to their resume. Please upload as one document

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Masters’ degree or other advanced degree in relevant field
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, advanced Excel skills
• Working knowledge of financial principles, budgeting, financial analysis
• Thorough knowledge of research administration for federal, private, and foundation awards. Previous project leadership experience
• Previous research compliance and/or sponsored awards management experience
• Award negotiation and contract development experience
• Knowledge of Harvard processes and systems preferred
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to develop strong working relationships
• C.R.A. or other recognized certification

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable): $90,000- $100,000 commensurate with experience.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity and Education

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 057. 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.