Graduate Appointments & Funding Operations Lead

Harvard University; Massachusetts; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Tuition assistance and reimbursement

Retirement plans

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard University is seeking a leader to run the FAS graduate student appointments function within GSAS, overseeing the Science Division Appointments team and RA appointments for several programs. You will ensure compliance with university policies and financial aid constraints while managing a high-volume processing workflow.

The role requires strong HRIS, Aurora, and student information system expertise, plus leadership and project-management skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant work experience.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proficiency with HRIS and student information systems.
• Familiarity with federal sponsored programs and grant management.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop staff.
• Customer-service orientation and clear written communication.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead the RA appointment process for graduate students in FAS-based programs, ensuring compliance with regulatory appointment rules and internal Harvard financial support and academic policies.
• Coordinate with GSAS Academic Programs and Financial Aid to ensure compliance with GSAS rules, financial aid, and university policy.
• Directly manage, coach, and develop the Science Division Appointments team across assigned program groupings.
• Ensure seamless flow of information between departments and Graduate Student Financial Aid and Appointments Specialists.
• Develop and maintain relationships with partner offices such as Harvard International Office, Office of Sponsored Research, Office of Labor and Employee Relations, Human Resources, Office of General Counsel, and others.
• Enforce quality control standards across all team members and ensure compliant processing of appointments.
• Serve as primary escalation point for complex appointment issues and oversee resolutions.
• Oversee RA appointments for A&H and DOSS programs and ensure proper processing.
• Oversee the accurate disbursement of more than $80M across 1,000+ graduate students.
• Directs development, maintenance, and improvement of appointment processing procedures, documentation standards, and training materials.
• Maintain accurate personnel records and appointment data within Aurora and departmental systems.
• Collaborate with GSAS Financial Aid to align on funding, awards, and processing.

Skills

Attention to detail

HRIS experience

Student information systems

Grants management

Organizational skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Aurora

HRIS

Job description

Harvard University is seeking a leader to run the FAS graduate student appointments function within GSAS, overseeing the Science Division Appointments team and RA appointments for several programs. You will ensure compliance with university policies and financial aid constraints while managing a high-volume processing workflow.

The role requires strong HRIS, Aurora, and student information system expertise, plus leadership and project-management skills.