Research Finance Team Lead

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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) is a department within FAD that 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.

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 (harvard.edu) and our eight reporting units.

The Research Finance Team Lead in the Office for Sponsored Programs supervises staff and supports a team that manages post-award activities for a large volume of federal and non-federal sponsored research projects at Harvard University. Reporting to a Research Finance Portfolio Team Manager, this position encompasses a range of administrative, financial, and other tasks associated with post-award activities, including reviewing sponsored expenditures for compliance with award terms, completing timely financial reports and invoices, ensuring that funds are collected, and reconciling and closing accounts. This position supports the Portfolio Team Manager in managing client relationships, providing determinations for complex situations, managing team workload, and mentoring staff.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Portfolio Oversight and Operations

• Responsible for fulfilling financial reporting requirements of Harvard’s sponsors, including reporting, cash management, account reconciliation and award closeout for a complex individual portfolio as well as general oversight at the school level
• Develops reporting mechanisms and financial models, typically in Excel, to analyze the financial position of awards and portfolios
• Provides ongoing monitoring and assessment of team workloads and assignments to staff and coordinates updates with the Portfolio Manager
• Interprets award terms and makes decisions regarding the setup and scheduling of financial deliverables in compliance with Harvard policies
• Generates and reviews financial reports for expense appropriateness and allowability under government and sponsor compliance requirements (e.g. Federal Uniform Guidance; sponsor-specific guidelines)
• Interprets complex sponsored regulations, guidelines, award terms and conditions, and award notices and agreements, as well as financial data, to assess and resolve complex issues
• Reviews and signs invoices, reports, and other financial documents, ensuring accuracy and compliance, as an authorized signatory of the University for sponsored awards

Process Management and Improvement

• Creates internal guidelines to ensure compliance with University and federal regulations and takes the lead on identifying, suggesting, and implementing improvement opportunities
• Works with the sponsored community throughout the award lifecycle to provide post-award subject matter expertise with a focus on customer service and collaborative resolutions
• Independently represents Research Finance on University-wide committees and IT projects as needed
• Proactively connects with internal colleagues and demonstrates an understanding of their responsibilities, processes, and systems
• Adapts to constantly evolving internal and external environment and models early adopter behavior in support of team’s experience through change

Outreach

• Performs financial analysis of research portfolio by department and school to summarize performance and trends, highlight potential issues, and present potential solutions
• Analyzes data and provides metrics for team and clients
• Supports Portfolio Manager by taking ownership of school-level relationships, helping resolve or escalate complex issues and work across units to resolve (in addition to excellent department-level relationship management)
• Serves as a first point of contact and support to Financial Analysts to escalate complex compliance questions and advise on resolutions
• Proactively educates departments on policies, processes, and best practices through daily interactions and training initiatives

Mentoring and Training

• Supervises day-to-day reporting and troubleshooting duties of staff, teaching them to resolve issues and use critical thinking to make decisions
• Identifies training gaps, including internal processes, that can be addressed with Research Finance and other University trainings
• Models collaboration with colleagues in Pre-Award offices and other financial units and departments to ensure business continuity by building constructive relationships
• Other duties as needed

Basic Qualifications:

Basic Qualifications are the minimum threshold a candidate must meet in order to be considered for this role.

For consideration please include a cover letter.

• 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:

The following qualifications are strongly preferred. If you meet some, but not all, you are still encouraged to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn.

• Extensive knowledge and fluency in governmental regulations (e.g., Uniform Guidance, FAR)
• Supervisory experience
• Proficiency with MS Office suite, intermediate to advanced proficiency with Excel (fluency with arithmetic formulas and the ability to solve problems using the tool)
• Knowledge of Sponsored Research Administration and Finance a plus
• Exposure to and experience with restricted fund environment a plus
• Excellent business writing and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to resolve issues in a diplomatic manner and balance the juxtaposition of compliance and customer service
• Independent problem resolution skills in a team environment
• A sense of urgency and ownership
• Ability to escalate issues and provide potential solutions
• Sound judgment and the ability to influence colleagues at all levels with tact and diplomacy
• Please provide a cover letter and resume as one document with your application.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

• ​​​​​​​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.

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.