Compliance Specialist

Job Details

1. Job Type: Full-time
2. Location: Cambridge
3. School/Unit: Harvard University Central Administration
4. Department: Financial Administration
5. Salary Grade: 057
6. Job Function: Finance
7. FLSA Status: Exempt
8. Term Appointment: No
9. Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
10. Work Format: Hybrid

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.

Financial Administration (FAD) is dedicated to advancing Harvard University’s teaching and research mission by stewarding its resources; providing support, guidance, and consultation; ensuring compliance with university and federal guidelines; mitigating risk; pursuing operational excellence; and promoting the financial health of the University.

More about FAD:
Within and across the University, we aim to be exemplary colleagues, trusted partners, valued advisors, and agents of positive change.

• Within our own community, we aspire to:
  • Engage with respect, honesty, and integrity
  • Cultivate equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging
  • Welcome innovation, collaboration, and flexibility

Enjoy our work, grow professionally, and aim for the extraordinary

Learn more about Financial Administration and our eight reporting units.

Job Description

Harvard's Financial Administration Department (FAD) is responsible for the stewardship of the University’s finances, including related business processes and technology in support of the teaching and research mission of the University. The Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP) manages a diverse portfolio of federal, foundation, international, and industry sponsors; we provide lifecycle sponsored programs support and partner with schools, departments, and centers across the University to facilitate proposal submission, award acceptance and administration, and all sponsored financial reporting and invoicing throughout the life of the award.

The Compliance Specialist supports audit, compliance, and financial oversight activities within OSP, with a primary focus on sponsored research administration. Reporting to the Director, Cost Analysis and Compliance, this position is responsible for coordinating and supporting sponsored audits and third-party reviews, including the Annual Single Audit, and serves as a key liaison between OSP, Harvard schools and departments, and external auditors. The Compliance Specialist manages audit timelines, facilitates information requests, monitors progress, and helps ensure the timely and accurate completion of audit deliverables.

This role contributes to all phases of the audit lifecycle, including planning, documentation, response development, and follow-up. The Compliance Specialist reviews audit scopes, evaluates departmental submissions for compliance and completeness, analyzes auditor inquiries, and drafts responses to findings. In collaboration with OSP leadership and school partners, the position supports management responses, corrective action plans, and remediation tracking, while also strengthening internal controls by assessing processes against federal regulations (including Uniform Guidance), identifying risks, and recommending improvements. The role also involves monitoring regulatory updates, integrating changes into compliance practices, and maintaining audit tracking systems and documentation to support institutional readiness.

This position requires strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, as well as the ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment. The Compliance Specialist must be detail-oriented, able to work independently, and capable of exercising sound judgment to meet deadlines with minimal supervision. This role also requires the ability to handle highly sensitive information with strict confidentiality. This is an excellent opportunity for a professional interested in research compliance, audit coordination, and financial oversight within a higher education environment.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Director, Cost Analysis and Financial Compliance, the Compliance Specialist supports the following activities in the Office for Sponsored Programs:

• Plan and coordinate third-party reviews and audits related to sponsored research administration. Serve as a primary liaison for assigned audits between OSP, Harvard schools and departments, and external auditors; develop timelines, communicate documentation requests, monitor progress, and escalate issues as needed.
• Contribute substantively to the Annual Single Audit process, including preparing and reviewing documentation, completing required questionnaires, and coordinating and attending department orientations and Principal Investigator (PI) interviews with external auditors. Identify potential concerns and elevate recommendations to leadership.
• Support sponsored audits by reviewing scope and objectives, issuing and tracking information requests, evaluating departmental responses for compliance and completeness, and compiling organized audit documentation.
• Analyze auditor inquiries and draft well-supported responses to questions and preliminary findings. Assist in preparing management responses and corrective action plans in collaboration with OSP leadership and school partners.
• Communicate audit results and compliance implications to departments and stakeholders, draft audit observations and responses, and support follow-up on remediation efforts.
• Assess internal controls within sponsored research administration processes, applying internal control frameworks, risk assessment methodologies, and federal regulations (including Uniform Guidance) to identify compliance risks, recommend improvements, and deliver and support training on internal controls and financial compliance.
• Advise colleagues and school administrators on University policies, sponsor requirements, and compliance best practices to promote audit readiness and consistent procedures.
• Monitor regulatory and sponsor updates, evaluate operational impact, and incorporate relevant changes into audit and compliance activities.
• Maintain audit tracking systems and documentation repositories to enhance efficiency and institutional preparedness while managing multiple concurrent priorities in a deadline-driven environment.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 5 plus years of sponsored programs audit, financial management, and/or compliance related experience.
• Advanced knowledge of sponsored research regulations.
  • Knowledge of 2 CFR 200 Uniform Guidance and Compliance Supplement.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills and experience.
• Strong attention to detail with excellent organizational and time management skills to prioritize work.
• Effectively communicates with clients, teammates, and managers to work toward common goals and deadlines.
• Ability to work on multiple projects and meet tight deadlines in a fast paced, high-energy environment.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to handle complex and confidential information with discretion and judgment.
• Independent and professional judgment and prioritization.
• Customer service orientation with a collegial and collaborative approach to working with others across the University.
• Advanced relevant technical and software skills, including but not limited to the Microsoft Suite (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, etc.)
• Please provide a cover letter and resume as one document with your application.

Additional Information

• Working Conditions: Onsite work is performed in an office setting.
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
  Primarily remote role with flexibility to work on-site and optional in-person meetings bi-monthly. On-site attendance expectations may evolve based on business needs.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information:
  Please provide a cover letter and resume as one document with your application.
  This position has a 90-day orientation and review period.

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.