"Director of Finance & Administration"

Job Summary

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

Job-Specific Responsibilities

Project Zero (PZ) is a research center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Since its founding in 1967, PZ has maintained a strong research agenda that includes investigations into the nature of intelligence, learning, understanding, thinking, creativity, cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural thinking, digital well-being, and ethics. PZ consists of 15 Principal Investigators (PIs) working nationally and internationally in a variety of settings, including schools, businesses, cultural organizations, and online. In addition, PZ offers symposia, workshops, and other kinds of events to disseminate its work. The center has approximately 50 staff members working on approximately 20 - 30 active research projects running at any given time.

PZ researchers are reliant on grants and gifts to support their research and development activities. Funding streams are diverse and include large private foundations, small family foundations, schools and school networks, individual donors, and to a lesser extent, federal grants. In addition to research activities, PZ sponsors and administers its own professional development activities, including a large in-person summer institute and a set of online courses.

Financial Management and Research Administration: (80%)

• Advise the Co-Directors in setting strategic financial planning, fundraising, and administrative objectives for PZ. Serve as a member of the Leadership Team and sit on the Executive Committee.
• Develop and maintain a financial model for PZ to project income from PZ’s grants, gifts, and revenue-generating activities and expenses across 20-30 research projects, PZ’s professional development unit, and the Center as a whole.
• Provide oversight of all aspects of the Center’s finances including management of an $9M annual budget; payroll administration; pre- and post-award activities for sponsored and gift agreements; oversight of budgets for revenue-generating professional development activities and Center-wide budgets; development of grant proposal-specific budgets; maintaining current financial forecasts and cash-flow analyses; and performing quarterly and year end closing activities.
• Provide pre- and post-award grant support for a portfolio of PZ PIs including proposal preparation, budget development, monthly expenditure reconciliation and projections, financial reporting, and award closeout.
• Oversee reconciliation of PZ revenue-generating activities, including check deposits and credit card revenue through TouchNet, and related quarterly accruals.
• Ensure PZ meets its financial goals, including covering overhead with HGSE and PZ core administrative costs.
• Oversee PZ’s compliance with all University and School financial policies and procedures.

Human Resources and Operations: (20%)

• Develop and manage a team of PZ Core administrative staff to provide office operations, financial, and administrative support to the Co-Directors, Principal Investigators, staff, and students who work at Project Zero.
• Supervise the Senior Finance and Grants Manager and the Finance Coordinator
• Provide strategic planning and oversight in the hiring process for new positions and in staffing changes.
• Identify and seek resources to support professional development needs of finance staff
• Make recommendations for reclassification.
• Mentor PIs on the financial and administrative responsibilities (helping them understand Sponsor funds and Harvard policies).
• Support PIs and staff with personnel issues and coordinate with Human Resources, as needed, to address concerns.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with equivalent work experience required.
• Minimum of 8 years’ relevant work experience or more at a senior level covering a broad range of financial and administrative activities that includes strategic financial planning, experience developing and managing budgets.
• Supervisory experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Master’s degree preferred; experience working in a finance role in a university or other non-profit setting; familiarity with the financial and programmatic requirements and practices of major foundations including gifts and grants. High level of proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office programs, especially MS Excel; strong interpersonal skills including demonstrated supervisory experience; strong oral and written communications skills; ability to manage complexity and unpredictability. This is a dynamic, fast-paced working environment; this role requires flexibility and the ability to be responsive to emerging funding opportunities, to prioritize tasks, and to work collaboratively with others at PZ and HGSE to advance the research center’s mission.

Any candidate wishing to be considered must supply a cover letter in addition to their resume showing that they meet the required basic qualifications.

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date: 6/30/2027 with likelihood of continuation
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable): $135-145 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.