Grants Manager

Posting date: April 08, 2026

Reference: 002665SR

• Job Type: Full-time
• Location: Cambridge
• School/Unit: Harvard Kennedy School
• Department: Center for International Development
• Salary Grade: 057
• Job Function: Finance
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Term Appointment: Yes
• 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 Kennedy School?

The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is one of 12 graduate and professional schools at the university. Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. By combining cutting-edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match. When you work at Harvard Kennedy School, you make a difference.

Job Description

CID has an immediate opening for a Grants Manager to provide life-cycle administration of multi-faceted projects, both federal and non-federal. The Grants Manager will proactively establish relationships with the CID team, CID Faculty Affiliates across Harvard schools, research teams, and the HKS Research Administration Office (RAO) and Harvard’s Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP) to provide expert guidance on all sponsored research issues.

The Grants Manager plays a central role in the support of CID research programs and initiatives and works closely with the Center’s Director of Finance and Operations. This person is responsible for (1) all aspects of the research administration process from budget development to contract negotiations to invoice collection in collaboration with CID research staff, HKS Research Administration Office, and Harvard’s Office of Sponsored Programs, (2) financial post-award monitoring and reporting activities, ensuring compliance with HKS, Harvard University and sponsor policies as they specifically relate to data and IRB management, and (4) overseeing the development of the CID’s data management processes and policies to uphold agreed-upon and school-wide security standards. The Grants Manager is an important liaison between the CID and several central offices such as the HKS Research Administration Office, HKS Office of Financial Services (OFS), Harvard’s Office of Sponsored Programs, Global Support Services (GSS) and Office of General Counsel (OGC).

This position requires experience overseeing complex contract negotiations with sponsors, from foundations to government agencies (domestic and international) and must have the skillset to assess situations or circumstances shrewdly and to draw sound conclusions. This position requires the experience to operate in a highly complex environment managing political relationships both internally and externally with funders.

Pre-award responsibilities:

• Shepherd research proposal and grants through pre and post award activities.
• Develop proposal budgets, detailed cost analyses and budget justifications.
• Provide policy interpretation on sponsored, grant and gift parameters in accordance with university and funder policies and procedures.
• Liaises closely with HKS Research Administration.
• Collaborates with OSP to resolve issues that occur during the internal review/approval through submission to sponsor;
• Administers grants to ensure accuracy and compliance with award and institutional guidelines.

Post-award responsibilities:

• Manage sponsored, grant, and gift contracts.
• Leads research administration strategy across multiple CID programs, initiatives, and funding streams.
• Partners with CID leadership to align funding structures with strategic priorities
• Review transactions and work with the Research and Finance teams to appropriately apply internal controls and ensure financial compliance.
• Verify salary allocations to research accounts, including faculty supplemental salary, and coordinates changes to payroll on sponsored awards. Review effort statements to ensure accuracy before release to PI certifiers.
• Works closely with the CID team and Harvard OSP to establish accounts, maintain accurate financial records, prepare financial reports and invoices, and close out projects
• Serves as a senior advisor and subject matter expert to faculty on long range funding strategy, proposal development, and sponsor engagement
• Keep grant proposal team apprised of developments in post-award grants management, ensuring financial compliance with federal regulations and agency guidelines.
• Designs and implements compliance frameworks for complex awards, including data management and international research compliance.
• Represents CID in cross-school and university-wide research administration initiatives and working groups

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience
• Advanced knowledge of sponsored research regulations

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, advanced Excel skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, the ability to interact well with faculty, staff, and research partners in developing countries
• Experience in an institution of higher education
• Experience with federal awards and grants
• Experience with project budgeting, oversight and reporting of sponsored awards

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date: This is a fully benefits eligible one year term appointment with the possibility of renewal.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information: This is a hybrid position based in Cambridge, MA and required to work on campus a minimum of 3 days/week.

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.