Senior Research Administration Leader, Post-Award Compliance

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Harvard University is seeking a leader to guide a research administration team focused on post-award management and compliance within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. You will shape strategy, drive policy, and deliver compliant solutions across complex projects and sponsors.

The role requires deep analytical capability, strong budgeting acumen, and the ability to mentor a high-performing team in a hybrid work environment at Harvard.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience.
• Ability to build, manage, and mentor a high-performing team.
• Advanced analytical ability; expertise with post-award management & compliance.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and advanced Excel skills.
• Working knowledge of budgeting and financial analysis.
• MBA or Masters’ degree in relevant field.

Responsibilities

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

Team leadership

Advanced analytics

Budgeting

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

MBA or Master’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Harvard University is seeking a leader to guide a research administration team focused on post-award management and compliance within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. You will shape strategy, drive policy, and deliver compliant solutions across complex projects and sponsors.

The role requires deep analytical capability, strong budgeting acumen, and the ability to mentor a high-performing team in a hybrid work environment at Harvard.