Senior Manager, Research Administration

Harvard University; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Medical and retirement benefits

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences seeks a senior leader to head a team of Research Portfolio Managers (RPMs) and Senior RPMs, guiding post‑award management, compliance, and process improvement across school and sponsor guidelines.

You will mentor staff, set performance standards, partner with FAS offices, and help advance research administration strategy in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise research administration team.
• Plan workflow and assign portfolio to team members.
• Lead the resolution of complex research administration problems and guide team of RPMs/Sr. RPMs to generate compliant solutions.
• Manage all aspects of individual and team performance by setting standards and expectations around performance, leading annual reviews, and creating pathways to professional growth.
• In partnership with department unit leaders, lead hiring efforts and build a strong and effective team.
• Strategize and establish process/policy for effective research administration.
• In partnership with senior school leadership, set strategies and recommend processes for coordinated interaction with offices such as FAS Finance, OSP, OTD, RCP and OVPR to optimize research administration for faculty clients
• Maintain advanced knowledge and expertise of federal rules, other sponsor regulations and school and university policy to communicate with team and establish standard practice for compliant management of awards
• Compliance and risk management
• Lead audit for area team; provide all documentation and process write-up
• Monitor and track faculty effort commitments and lead effort reporting
• Oversee all sponsored spending to ensure financial integrity and compliance

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Mentoring

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

MBA or Master's degree in relevant field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Budgeting

Job description

• Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
• Salary Grade: 058
• Department: Administration and Finance - FAS Office of Research Administration
• FLSA Status: Exempt

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.

Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

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.

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 and compliance with school, university and sponsor guidance.

Profile: Has acquired depth and breadth of specialization within the field. Lead comprehensive operations and serve as a key resource within department or school. May serve in supervisory capacity.

Knowledge: Apply broad and specialized knowledge to develop and refine practices, processes, and metrics. Serve as a subject matter expert or project lead.

Complexity: Lead large and complex projects, often crossing functional boundaries; develop solutions to complex challenges and advise on policy development and implementation. Responsible for advanced analysis and oversight of major initiatives

Autonomy: Develop methodologies for others, consult with senior management on project objectives, mentor colleagues, deliver advanced research solutions. Recommend policy and process improvements

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

Job Responsibilities Include:

Manage and supervise research administration team

Plan workflow and assign portfolio to team members, adjusting as needed

Lead the resolution of complex research administration problems and guide team of RPMs/Sr. RPMs to generate compliant solutions

Manage all aspects of individual and team performance by setting standards and expectations around performance, leading annual reviews, and creating pathways to professional growth.

In partnership with department unit leaders, lead hiring efforts and build a strong and effective team.

Strategize and establish process/policy for effective research administration

In partnership with senior school leadership, set strategies and recommend processes for coordinated interaction with offices such as FAS Finance, OSP, OTD, RCP and OVPR to optimize research administration for faculty clients

Maintain advanced knowledge and expertise of federal rules, other sponsor regulations and school and university policy to communicate with team and establish standard practice for compliant management of awards

Compliance and risk management

Lead audit for area team; provide all documentation and process write-up

Monitor and track faculty effort commitments and lead effort reporting

Oversee all sponsored spending to ensure financial integrity and compliance

Working Conditions:

• This position is designated as a hybrid. Work needs will determine on-campus presence, with an expectation of 1–3 days on campus per week, with flexibility in scheduling onsite days in consultation with the manager and team. On-site attendance requirements may vary based on assigned departments and evolving business needs.

Qualifications

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-performing team

Advanced analytical ability; expertise with post-award management & compliance

Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, advanced Excel skills or equivalent system for financial analysis

Working knowledge of financial principles budgeting, financial analysis

MBA or Masters’ degree in relevant field

Additional Information

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

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 058. Please visitHarvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

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

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to 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.