Associate Director of Research Core Finance and Compliance

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.

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth

C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

Lead financial operations and planning for the department/unit that may include payroll, accounting, accounts payable/receivable, procurement, capital projects, endowment funding, research administration, or other function.

The Associate Director of Research Core Finance and Compliance partners with the Director Research Core Finance and Compliance to provide strategic financial leadership, oversight, and compliance support for FAS Science service centers and recharge facilities. The Associate Director serves as a key financial resource to core facility directors, divisional leadership, and other stakeholders, ensuring sound financial management, transparent reporting, and compliance with University and federal requirements.

Key responsibilities include:

• Partners with the Director to lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and analysis for FAS Science service centers and recharge facilities.
• Provides strategic financial guidance to core facility directors, divisional leadership, and senior management to support operational and long-range decision-making.
• Leads the annual budget and forecasting processes in accordance with FAS Finance policies, procedures, and timelines.
• Serves as a subject matter expert on core facility financial management, including operating and capital budgets, rate development, cost recovery, and short- and long-range financial projections.
• Develops financial analyses, dashboards, and management reports to identify trends, assess financial performance, and inform strategic and operational decisions.
• Prepares annual and ad hoc financial reports, business plans, and scenario analyses related to cost recovery, equipment replacement, service expansion, and other strategic initiatives.
• Partners with core facility directors and divisional leadership to establish appropriate service center and recharge rates.
• Develops, maintains, and continuously improves rate-setting methodologies, financial models, and standardized templates.
• Conducts annual reviews of rates and financial performance to ensure compliance with federal requirements and Harvard service center policies.
• Develops, implements, and continuously improves policies, procedures, workflows, and internal controls related to the financial operations and accounting of Science Division core facilities.
• Establishes and monitors accounting practices and control mechanisms to ensure compliance with University financial policies and applicable federal service center regulations.
• Reviews financial activity…