Senior Financial Analyst, Executive Education

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.

Why join the Harvard Kennedy School?

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.

Executive Education at Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) seeks a collaborative, highly organized, and detail‑oriented Senior Financial Analyst to lead the department’s annual planning processes - budget, forecast, multi‑year - prepare reports and summaries, and provide analysis for decision support. Reporting to the Senior Director of Finance and Administration, successful candidates will be a strong communicator, curious and persistent, have strong accounting skills, and be proactive and capable of leading tasks and projects.

This is a great role for someone looking to lead a budget process. HKS is a vibrant and values‑driven community, and we actively seek applications from candidates who demonstrate a commitment to building a diverse and inclusive culture.

Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education (HKS Exec Ed) is the premier worldwide source for executive‑level leadership development focused on public service. Exec Ed operates as a department within HKS and provides 80+ programs ranging from 1 to 4 weeks in length to 4500+ participants each year. Programs are delivered online, in‑person, or a combination of both, and are offered as open enrollment via an admissions process or as custom programs focused on the needs of public service or government organizations, sponsors, or donors.

Exec Ed is a critical piece of the HKS mission to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. Programs are led by faculty and attract accomplished public leaders from around the world, with roles in the government, nonprofit, multilateral and corporate sectors.

• In close collaboration with the Senior Director of Finance and Administration, lead the annual budget and reforecast process for the department, ensuring accuracy and compliance with school policies and guidance.
• Participate in the annual multi‑year financial plan (5 years).
• Lead a process to assure that all internal agreements with faculty and other schools/centers are well‑documented and transparent.
• Perform periodic financial forecasts.
• Review ad/hoc budgets for potential new programs, providing guidance and recommendations on pricing options.
• Support or lead other financial planning or reporting processes such as setting tuition prices, Veterans Affairs benefits pricing catalog, department’s Annual Report, and review of financial policies.
• Maintain an annual financial planning calendar.
• Create, maintain, and present reports and summaries that support financial and strategic decision‑making by department leadership.
• Review processes and provide recommendations on changes to improve efficiency or cost effectiveness.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key contacts and groups from around the department, school, and University to maintain best practices and more quickly achieve goals and objectives.
• Assist the Senior Director of Finance and Administration and the Accounting Team with project work and other ad/hoc requests.
• Provide periodic support and assist with special projects for Harvard Kennedy School’s Office of Financial Services (OFS) team.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of…