Chief Financial Officer, Faculty of Arts and Sciences

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 Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Description

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) seeks a forward-looking and collaborative financial strategist to serve as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Stewarding a $1.8B+ operating budget at the academic core of Harvard, the CFO will play a defining role in shaping the overall FAS financial strategy at a time of significant change and transformation across higher education. Working closely with the FAS Dean and the Dean of Administration & Finance as a trusted advisor, the CFO will lead the development of a more integrated, data-driven financial model that uses finance not only to control costs, but to enable ambitious teaching and groundbreaking research. This is an opportunity to bring sophisticated financial insight, creativity, and rigor to a globally significant faculty, providing stability and clarity during leadership transitions and institutional renewal. For a seasoned financial leader who wants their expertise to directly advance knowledge, discovery, and student learning on a world stage, this role offers extraordinary scope and impact.

Reporting to the Dean for Administration and Finance and working in close partnership with the Edgerley Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and senior academic and administrative leaders across FAS, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) leads the financial strategy, planning and operations of Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS). The CFO plays a central role in advancing the FAS’s teaching, learning, and research mission by ensuring long-term financial sustainability, strengthening decision-making through data and analysis, and guiding resource allocation across a complex, decentralized organization.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

The CFO has direct responsibility for the overall financial management of the FAS including accountability for the school’s $1.8 billion operating budget; fiscal policies and procedures; the effectiveness and efficiency of financial systems; and financial compliance and controls.

The CFO leads the development and maintenance of financial models, and partners across the FAS to design and implement financial strategies that support institutional priorities. These include long-term financial sustainability, tuition and fee setting, financial aid, sponsored funding and research, fundraising, risk management, facilities and capital planning, faculty planning, and staff workforce planning. In collaboration with senior leaders and key central offices, the CFO plays a critical role in strategic planning and resource allocation across the FAS.

The CFO serves as a key advisor to the Dean for Administration and Finance, and as a senior administrative leader in the FAS. This role is expected to identify and drive opportunities to improve operational efficiency and to enhance processes, systems, and technology that support financial management and decision-making.

The CFO represents the FAS within the Harvard community and engages with faculty, students, alumni, and university leadership. This role convenes diverse groups to inform approaches to financial challenges. The CFO represents the school at the university level on committees that consider financial policies, and investments in facilities and program development. Through close collaboration with university leaders, the CFO helps drive improvements in budgeting, planning, forecasting, and financial and management reporting. The FAS CFO also works with the university CFO on a broad range of strategic, operational, and compliance matters.

Working with development and fundraising staff, the CFO explains the finances of the FAS to staff, alumni, and donors, and helps to translate elements of strategic planning into compelling fundraising initiatives.

The CFO leads the FAS Finance Office, a team of approximately 30 professionals, including the Controller and the Director of Budget and Planning. The Controller is responsible for the creation and maintenance of financial systems/procedures, payrolls, general accounting, and interim and year-end closings. The Director of Budget and Planning is responsible for the development of budget and spending policies, leadership of the multi-year forecast process, annual budget process, regular and ad hoc analyses of budgetary trends, budget performance reporting, and support for financial leadership in departments as needed. Department finance staff currently operate within a distributed reporting model but are functionally aligned with the CFO. Efforts are currently underway to evolve the model to strengthen coordination, accountability and financial stewardship across the organization. The CFO will play a critical role in ensuring the success of this new model

Working Conditions:

Hybrid office environment; this position will be based in Cambridge, MA and there is an expectation of some workdays per week on campus.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience is required
• 10+ years of experience with progressive financial management responsibility required
• Leadership & supervisory experience required

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

The following job-related skills, experience and competencies are preferred:

• Experience in a university, research facility or academic medical center with working knowledge of sponsored program administration
• Advanced knowledge of financial principles and familiarity with technologies that impact financial functions as well as the overall operation and strong acumen in business analytics with a focus on deliverables.
• M.B.A., C.P.A., or expertise in fund accounting or other relevant technical areas, such as accounting for endowments, preferred.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a thought partner to senior leaders, adding value beyond the strict definition of the position; able to advise “beyond the math” on financial and strategic issues and build a succinct business case in relevant terms for each audience, balancing rigor, structure, and effectiveness.
• Proven success inspiring, developing and leading a data-driven, mission-oriented, service-minded team.
• Approach work with meticulous attention to detail, strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in change leadership at scale.