Business Analyst

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)
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.

• 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

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. The Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP) manages a diverse portfolio of federal, foundation, international, and industry sponsors; it provides lifecycle sponsored program support and partners 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 Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP) Pre‑Award Team is responsible for providing leadership, advice, and superior client service in the provision of all Pre‑Award services, including but not limited to proposal review and submission, awards management, negotiation of terms and conditions, and account set up for a portfolio of over $350 million.

The Pre‑Award Business Analyst (Business Analyst) reports to the Business Operations and Reporting Manager (Manager). Working under the general direction of the Manager, the Business Analyst will support and frequently lead both internal and external OSP Pre‑Award initiatives. Responsibilities include operational analysis, assessment of workload distribution across the team, ongoing process oversight and coordination, data modeling, project management, change management, and communication planning.

• Collaborate with business partners to learn and document current processes, map workflows, and recommend potential solutions.
• Direct strategic analyses that inform and support business decisions.
• Oversee the assessment of new initiatives by reviewing key performance indicators and contributing to operational decision‑making.
• Help identify change management requirements, create change management plans, support the creation of training materials, develop engaging end‑user communications, and contribute to post‑implementation reviews.
• Provide support for and take the lead on additional analytical projects as needed.

• Create and update project plans that support the staffing, tracking, and oversight of OSP Pre‑Award or university‑wide new and ongoing initiatives.
• Working with the Manager and Pre‑Award Leadership Team:
  • Compile and structure data and written materials into draft projects and proposals. Prepare presentations for management groups and, when appropriate, present this information to them.
  • Develop creative and meaningful Pre‑Award initiatives, including new programs or revised versions of current programs, with an emphasis on quality and process improvement.
• Review and assess methods used to complete projects, applying lessons learned to enhance the management of future work.
• Meet with stakeholders and follow up on information shared, confirming that projects and proposals are finished within the required timelines.
• Lead small work groups to generate recommendations for senior leadership.
• Clearly communicate and present issues to both internal and external leaders.

• Provide leadership for committees, new initiatives, and projects…