Senior Grants and Contracts Officer

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.

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; and enjoy our work, grow professionally, and aim for the extraordinary.

The Office for Sponsored Programs is a department within Harvard University’s Financial Administration (FAD) that is focused on providing high‑quality administrative and financial assistance to faculty and other University affiliates performing sponsored research. OSP works with researchers and schools across Harvard to help obtain and negotiate awards from sponsoring agencies, assist with grant proposal preparation, ensure compliance with federal regulations and University policies, provide financial support including financial reporting and billing and collection services, assist with audits, and promote knowledge of sponsored research administration throughout the University research community through training and other educational programs.

As a member of the Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP) Pre‑Award Team and its Grants and Contracts Officer Team, the Senior Grants and Contracts Officer (GCO) leads the negotiation of sponsored awards with federal, foundation, industry, foreign, and other sponsors; reviews and negotiates data use agreements; and coordinates the drafting, negotiation, and review of subcontract agreements within a given portfolio.

This full‑time position reports to the Senior Manager, Grants, and Contracts Officer Team.

• Independently review, draft, and negotiate complex research‑related agreements.
• Liaise with sponsors, school/department administrators, and Principal Investigators as needed and provide high‑level customer service to each party.
• Partner with the Office of Technology Development, Office of the General Counsel, Risk Management and Audit Services, and the Office of the Vice Provost for Research to ensure compliance with external and internal policies.
• Execute outgoing subcontracts and modifications to existing agreements on behalf of the University, and other agreements on an as‑needed basis.
• Other duties as required.

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of seven years of experience in a sponsored research, compliance, agreement negotiation, or related regulatory environment.
• Advanced knowledge of sponsored research regulations.
• Advanced degree or graduate certificate in law, research administration, or regulatory compliance may count toward experience.

• Juris Doctor preferred.
• University‑sponsored research experience, including familiarity with the FAR, is a plus.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong negotiation skills, tact, and diplomacy.
• Proven ability in collaborative problem‑solving. Demonstrated comfort in working in a fast‑paced, multiple‑deadline driven environment.
• Training experience is helpful, as is an interest in mentoring others.
• Demonstrated ability to work individually or within a team and to think creatively and provide sound advice.
• High level of confidence and willingness to accept high‑level responsibilities is required.
• Should have broad academic interests and the ability to think critically about programmatic, financial, and policy issues.
• Academic administration…