Social Sciences Financial Operations Manager

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvard University is seeking a Social Sciences Financial Operations Manager to lead finance operations within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. The role oversees a 10–15 person team delivering financial services to departments and centers, reporting to the Divisional Director of Finance.

The position emphasizes compliance, staff development, and continuous improvement. The successful candidate will collaborate with administrators, center directors, and faculty to steward resources, drive

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience.
• Supervisory experience required.
• MBA or Master’s degree preferred.
• CPA designation desirable.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and develop a team of finance associates and senior finance associates across the division.
• Hire, onboard and develop staff, manage performance and foster inclusive, innovative culture.
• Balance workload to maintain high service levels and equitable distribution of duties.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Advanced Excel

Accounting principles

Financial systems

Data query tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

MBA or Master’s degree

CPA (Desirable)

Tools

Concur

Buy2Pay

Job description

Social Sciences Financial Operations Manager

• Full-time
• Work Format: Hybrid
• Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
• Salary Grade: 057
• Department: Administration and Finance - FAS Office of Finance
• FLSA Status: Exempt

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

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

The Financial Operations Manager leads a team of approximately 10–15 Finance Associates and Senior Finance Associates responsible for delivering high-quality financial operations and customer service to academic departments and centers across the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS). Reporting to the Divisional Director of Finance, the Manager is responsible for supervising staff, ensuring consistent service delivery, maintaining compliance with university and sponsor policies, and driving continuous improvement in financial operations.

The Manager serves as a coach, mentor, and operational leader, helping staff navigate complex financial issues while building a culture of accountability, collaboration, and exceptional customer service. The role partners closely with department administrators, center directors, faculty, and colleagues across the FAS Office of Finance to ensure the effective stewardship of university resources and to continuously improve financial processes and service delivery.

Leadership and Staff Management

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

Process Management and Continuous Improvement

• Evaluate accounting processes and procedures and make recommendations to foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement
• Lead the team through system updates, policy enhancements, and workflow transitions, ensuring smooth adoption and minimal operational disruption
• In collaboration with unit finance partners, oversee core operational workflows and accounting transactions
• Identify operational bottlenecks and work with finance team to establish standard operating procedures
• Collaborate in the development of training materials and resources for key financial systems, such as Buy2Pay and Concur, to support effective use by non-finance staff and the broader university community

Governance and Compliance

• Ensure financial compliance with University policies and procedures, audit and accounting disclosure requirements, and applicable 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 for reading and computer work for extended periods of time.

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 tax regulations
• Demonstrated experience with Financial systems and data query tools

Certificates and Licenses: CPA Desirable

• 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, Criminal, Credit
• 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 057. Please visit Harvard'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.