Manager of Research Administration

Harvard University, Faculty of Arts & Sciences; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plans with universityContri

Job summary

Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences seeks a senior leader to manage a team of Research Portfolio Managers focused on post-award management and compliance. You will guide strategy, processes, and cross-unit collaboration to support faculty clients.

Responsibilities include building a high‑performing team, ensuring financial integrity, navigating federal regulations, and partnering with FAS Finance, OSP, and other offices to optimize sponsored research administration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required.
• Minimum of 7 years in research administration or related roles.
• Advanced knowledge of sponsored research regulations.
• Supervisory experience

Responsibilities

• Plan workflow and assign portfolio to team members.
• Lead complex research administration problems and guide team to compliant solutions.
• Manage performance via standards, annual reviews and growth paths.
• Lead hiring efforts and build an effective team.
• Coordinate with offices such as FAS Finance, OSP, OTD, RCP and OVPR to optimize administration.

Skills

Team leadership

Post-award compliance

Excel analytics

Budgeting principles

MBA preferred

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

MBA or Masters degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Excel

Job description

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community thatadvances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways,inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills andexpertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcomingenvironment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart ofHarvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduateprogram (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all ofHarvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin GraduateSchool of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athleticsand the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academicdepartments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a communityunparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest rangeof liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeksto foster an environmentof ambition, curiosity and sharedcommitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from allmembers of our community and prepares the next generation ofleaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Description

Job Summary

This position leads a team of Research Portfolio Managers (RPMs)and Senior RPMs, providing expert support and guidance, strategy,and process development with focus on post-award management andcompliance with school, university and sponsor guidance.

Profile:

Has acquired depth and breadth of specializationwithin the field. Lead comprehensive operations and serve as a keyresource within department or school. May serve in supervisorycapacity.

Knowledge:

Apply broad and specialized knowledge to developand refine practices, processes, and metrics. Serve as a subjectmatter expert or project lead.

Complexity:

Lead large and complex projects, often crossingfunctional boundaries; develop solutions to complex challenges andadvise on policy development and implementation. Responsible foradvanced analysis and oversight of major initiatives

Autonomy:

Develop methodologies for others, consult withsenior management on project objectives, mentor colleagues, deliveradvanced research solutions. Recommend policy and processimprovements

Interaction:

Facilitate broad dialogue across teams ordepartments on difficult, complex, or sensitive matters,collaborate with others and drives matters to conclusion, andadvise on developing plans and implementation methods.

Job Responsibilities Include:

• Manage and supervise research administration team
  • Plan workflow and assign portfolio to team members, adjustingas needed
  • Lead the resolution of complex research administration problemsand guide team of RPMs/Sr. RPMs to generate compliantsolutions
  • Manage all aspects of individual and team performance bysetting standards and expectations around performance, leadingannual reviews, and creating pathways to professional growth.
  • In partnership with department unit leaders, lead hiringefforts and build a strong and effective team.
• Strategize and establish process/policy for effective researchadministration
  • In partnership with senior school leadership, set strategiesand recommend processes for coordinated interaction with officessuch as FAS Finance, OSP, OTD, RCP and OVPR to optimize researchadministration for faculty clients
  • Maintain advanced knowledge and expertise of federal rules,other sponsor regulations and school and university policy tocommunicate with team and establish standard practice for compliantmanagement of awards
• Compliance and risk management
  • Lead audit for area team; provide all documentation and processwrite-up
  • Monitor and track faculty effort commitments and lead effortreporting
  • Oversee all sponsored spending to ensure financial integrityand compliance

Working Conditions:

• This position is designated as a hybrid. Work needs willdetermine on-campus presence, with an expectation of 1–3 days oncampus per week, with flexibility in scheduling onsite days inconsultation with the manager and team. On-site attendancerequirements may vary based on assigned departments and evolvingbusiness needs.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience
• Advanced knowledge of sponsored research regulations
• Supervisory experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Ability to build, manage, motivate and mentor a high-performingteam
• Advanced analytical ability; expertise with post-awardmanagement & compliance
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, advanced Excel skills orequivalent system for financial analysis
• Working knowledge of financial principles budgeting, financialanalysis
• MBA or Masters’ degree in relevant field

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University isunable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information:
  • All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders thatsome of the duties and responsibilities can be effectivelyperformed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and locationwill be set by the department at its discretion and based uponoperational needs. When not working at a Harvard orHarvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions mustwork in a Harvard registered state in compliance with theUniversity’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 priorto employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view thecorresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

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

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

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

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination . We seek talentfrom all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensureeveryone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our communityadvance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on thebasis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability,or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in theuniversity's non-discrimination policy . Harvard'sequal employment opportunity policyand non-discrimination policy help allcommunity members participate fully in work and campus life freefrom harassment and discrimination.