Director of Financial Management and Planning

Harvard University; Massachusetts; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition assistance

Wellbeing resources

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard University’s Ash Center seeks a Director of Financial Management and Planning to guide financial strategy and planning for multiple programs. The role reports to the Executive Director and works with senior faculty to strengthen long-term financial health and growth.

You will supervise a finance team, oversee sponsored grants, and ensure compliant, efficient financial operations across the center. A strong background in higher education finance is essential.

Qualifications

• Senior financial management experience within large, decentralized organizations.
• Experience forecasting and guiding senior leadership on budgets and resources.
• Experience leading diverse teams and hiring, onboarding, coaching and performance management.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial guidance to executives to align resources with center goals.
• Develop and maintain long-range financial plans for endowment funds and grants.
• Oversee finance team and sponsored research administration.
• Lead annual budgeting across all funds and ensure sound stewardship of funds.
• Report financial performance to principal investigators and center leadership.

Skills

Strategic financial leadership

Forecasting and analysis

Team leadership and coaching

Financial policy implementation

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Gift/endowment portfolios

Job 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.

The Director of Financial Management and Planning oversees the financial administration of the Ash Center and all its affiliated programs and initiatives, whose activities are supported by a large portfolio of current use gift funds, federal and non-federal sponsored awards, and endowment funds. Candidates must demonstrate high-level experience in financial strategy and administration, exceptional judgment, and willingness to approach problems with creativity and collegiality. The Ash Center is a global community committed to rigor, curiosity, and integrity that believes diverse perspectives and lived experiences are essential to understanding real-world problems. We actively seek candidates who share our commitment and values.

Reporting to the Ash Center Executive Director, the Director of Financial Management and Planning is a key member of the Ash Center leadership team. They work closely with the Center Faculty Director as well as key faculty and senior program staff to ensure the long-term financial health and growth of the Ash Center as it becomes the University hub for faculty, scholars, and students committed to strengthening democracy and self-determination.

The Director supervises the Center’s financial team to provide guidance and oversight of all financial functions—including financial analysis and reporting, financial operations, and research administration. Specific responsibilities include:

• Provide strategic financial guidance to the Faculty Director and Executive Director to ensure resource allocation enables Center goals and objectives.
• Develop and maintain a 5-year financial plan for the Center’s three foundational endowment funds.
• Oversee the work of the Center’s finance team including the Assistant Director of Finance and Research Administration, Financial Associate, Financial and Administrative Associate, and part-time Financial Assistant. Work closely with the Assistant Director of Finance and Research Administration to oversee proper administration of sponsored grants and contracts.
• Lead annual budgeting process for all funds in conjunction with Center Executive Director.
• Direct financial operations including updating the Center’s chart of accounts, record keeping systems, training opportunities, and appropriate practices and control mechanisms to ensure sound fiscal management and proper stewardship of funds.
• Provide regular financial reporting to PIs, senior managers, and Center leadership.
• Develop deep working understanding of the financial plans for multiple programs; work with faculty PIs and senior managers to proactively address deviations from approved budgets.
• Analyze complex financial data—Including variance and trend analyses—and develop financial analysis and projections.
• Develop and strengthen key relationships with internal administrative offices and departments across HKS and the University to promote collaboration and efficiency.
• Work with the Executive Director and HKS’ Office of Human Resources to implement and enforce personnel policies and procedures specifically related to hiring (domestic, international, temporary staff; contractors).
• Work with the finance team to ensure appropriate implementation of HKS financial policies across all faculty, programs, and initiatives at the Center.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office setting

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 8 years’ relevant work experience
• Supervisory experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Senior financial management experience, and an understanding of higher education systems, governance, and decision-making
• Experience providing strategic financial guidance and forecasting to senior leadership within a large, decentralized organization, preferably in higher education or another mission-driven environment
• Record in developing and leading inclusive, high-performing teams—from hiring and onboarding to coaching and performance management—that bring out the best in all members
• Experience managing gift, endowment, and/or sponsored-fund portfolios, including compliance with donor restrictions and multi-year financial planning
• Strong customer service orientation with excellent communication and people skills, delivering on commitments and operating with speed, accuracy, and judgment

• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal, Credit
• Other Information: This position is based on campus in Cambridge, MA, and required to work at least 3 days/week on campus.

Work Format Details

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 Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 059. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.