Senior Grants and Contracts Officer

Job Description

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.

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.
• Perform 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 well as 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.
• Broad academic interests and ability to think critically about programmatic, financial, and policy issues.
• Academic administration experience.
• Provide a cover letter and resume as one document with your application.

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.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre‑Employment Screening: Identity, education.
• Other Information: This position has a 90‑day orientation and review period.

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…