Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer

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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.

Reporting to the Executive Dean and in close partnership with the Dean and other senior leaders, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) leads the financial management and strategic financial planning efforts of Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) in support of its teaching, learning, and research mission. The CFO has direct responsibility for the overall financial management of HKS including accountability for the School’s $280 million operating budget, fiscal policies and procedures, efficiency and effectiveness of financial systems, and fiscal compliance and control.

Further, the CFO leads the School’s risk assessment and management program, in partnership with the University’s Risk Management and Audit Services department.

The CFO is also directly responsible for the development and maintenance of financial models, and, in collaboration with partner offices, the development and implementation of financial strategies in support of all facets of strategic planning for HKS, including overall long‑term financial sustainability, tuition and fee setting, financial aid, sponsored funding and research, fundraising, risk management, facilities and capital planning, faculty planning, and staff workforce planning.

The CFO is also responsible for collaboration within HKS and across the University on key strategic initiatives such as space planning and financial sustainability.

The CFO serves as a key advisor and partner to the Executive Dean and the Dean, and as a senior administrative leader at HKS, has the opportunity to make a significant impact by improving operational efficiencies and enhancing processes to support HKS. The CFO also serves as the leader of the financial management community at HKS and will have the opportunity to build and support that community.

The CFO represents the interests of HKS within the broader Harvard community, including University leadership. This role is expected to convene stakeholders to inform the approach to addressing financial opportunities and challenges facing HKS and to inform policy and management practices across the School and University‑wide. The CFO represents the School at the University level on committees that consider financial policies and investments in information technology and facilities.

Through interaction with university‑level leaders, the CFO facilitates the implementation of operational improvements in the areas of budgeting, planning, forecasting, and financial and management reporting. In addition, the HKS CFO works collaboratively with the University CFO on a wide range of strategy, operations, and compliance issues.

The CFO provides direct leadership to the HKS Controller and the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis, and a staff of approximately 11 professionals. Responsibilities of the Controller include the creation and maintenance of financial systems and procedures, payrolls, general accounting, tax and audit compliance, and interim and year‑end closings. Responsibilities of the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis include development and implementation of strategies for budgeting, forecasting, spending policies, budget…