Sciences Financial Operations Manager

Harvard University, Faculty of Arts & Sciences; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Retirement plans with university

Wellbeing resources

Tuition assistance and reimbursement

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, is seeking a Financial Operations Manager to lead a team responsible for financial operations across academic departments. You will supervise 10–15 Finance Associates, oversee budgeting, accounts payable/receivable, and compliance with university policies.

The role emphasizes process improvement, training, and collaboration with department administrators and the Office of Finance to ensure effective stewardship of resources in a hybrid

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience.
• Supervisory experience in managing teams.
• MBA or Master’s degree preferred; strong Excel and analytics.
• Knowledge of financial systems and data query tools (e.g., Concur, Buy2Pay).

Responsibilities

• Supervise and develop a team of finance associates and senior finance associates.
• Oversee budgeting, accounts payable/receivable and related financial operations.
• Ensure compliance with university policies and sponsor requirements.
• Lead process improvements and system updates with minimal disruption.
• Collaborate with department administrators and the Office of Finance.

Skills

Team leadership

Supervisory experience

Budget management

Excel skills

Financial systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

MBA or Master's degree

Tools

Concur

Buy2Pay

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 environment of 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:

Manage finance, accounting, and budget or otherfunctional operations such as accounts payable or receivable,payroll, procurement, capital projects, endowment funding, orsponsored/non-sponsored research.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

The Financial Operations Manager leads a team of approximately10–15 Finance Associates and Senior Finance Associates responsiblefor delivering high-quality financial operations and customerservice to academic departments and centers across the Faculty ofArts and Sciences (FAS). Reporting to the Divisional Director ofFinance, the Manager is responsible for supervising staff, ensuringconsistent service delivery, maintaining compliance with universityand sponsor policies, and driving continuous improvement infinancial operations.The Manager serves as a coach, mentor, and operational leader,helping staff navigate complex financial issues while building aculture of accountability, collaboration, and exceptional customerservice. The role partners closely with department administrators,center directors, faculty, and colleagues across the FAS Office ofFinance to ensure the effective stewardship of university resourcesand to continuously improve financial processes and servicedelivery.

Leadership and Staff Management

• Supervise and develop a team of finance associates and seniorfinance associates across the division
• Responsible for hiring and onboarding, training anddevelopment, performance management, and the promotion of aninclusive and innovative work environment
• Manage task distribution and balance workload capacity acrossthe team to maintain high service levels and equitable distributionof duties

Process Management and Continuous Improvement

• Evaluate accounting processes and procedures and makerecommendations to foster a culture of innovation and continuousimprovement
• Lead the team through system updates, policy enhancements, andworkflow transitions, ensuring smooth adoption and minimaloperational disruption
• In collaboration with unit finance partners, oversee coreoperational workflows and accounting transactions
• Identify operational bottlenecks and work with finance team toestablish standard operating procedures
• Collaborate in the development of training materials andresources for key financial systems, such as Buy2Pay and Concur, tosupport effective use by non-finance staff and the broaderuniversity community

Governance and Compliance

• Ensure financial compliance with University policies andprocedures, audit and accounting disclosure requirements, andapplicable legal rules and regulation

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in an office setting;this is a hybrid position requiring 3 days on campus

Physical Requirements:

Sitting and using near vision forreading and computer work for extended periods of time.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Supervisory experience
• MBA or Master's degree in relevant field preferred
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, advanced excel skills
• Advanced knowledge of accounting principles and taxregulations
• Demonstrated experience with Financial systems and data querytools

Certificates and Licenses:

CPA Desirable

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, Criminal,Credit
• Other Information: All formal offers will be made by FASHuman 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 057. 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 talent fromall 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.