Sr. HR Consultant (two year term position)

Harvard Central Administration (CADM) Talent Acquisition; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plans

Tuition assistance and reimbursement

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Harvard University Central Administration is seeking an experienced HR Consultant to deliver HR consulting services to HUIT, FAD, and HFCU. You will balance a strategic outlook with hands-on HR, communications, and management skills to engage employees and improve service delivery.

Reporting to the Senior Director of HR for HUIT, FAD, and HFCU, you will lead HR processes, advise managers, manage salary administration, and develop HR communications and projects within deadlines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• 7+ years of relevant HR experience.
• Proven record of project management and communication strategy implementation.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills with attention to detail.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects.
• Familiarity with HRIS tools and project management software; Agile is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR processes and systems across HUIT; provide guidance and investigations.
• Consult with managers on employee relations and organizational design needs.
• Manage salary administration, merit increases, and staff equity reviews.
• Create and maintain HR policies, landing pages, and communication materials.
• Lead HR projects from planning through delivery within deadlines and budget.
• Collaborate with centralized HR to deliver services and ensure policy compliance.

Skills

Project management

Communication skills

Writing and editing

Organizational skills

HR consulting

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience

Tools

HRIS tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Agile project management

Job description

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 Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Job Description

Job Summary: Responsible for comprehensive human resources consulting services for a unit(s) or department(s). Provide leadership in change processes to create a culture of productivity and engagement.

This is a two year time-limited position from the start date.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

This role is part of an HR team that delivers HR Consulting services to over 1,000 employees in three Central Administration (CADM) units: Harvard IT (HUIT), Financial Administration (FAD), and Harvard Federal Credit Union (HFCU). This position reports to the Senior Director of Human Resources for HUIT, FAD, HFCU and will work directly with HUIT.

We are seeking an experienced HR Consultant. This role is instrumental delivery of HR Consulting Services to HUIT. The ideal candidate will balance a strategic outlook with hands‑on HR, communications, and management skills. This role requires a dynamic professional who can effectively bridge HR strategy and execution while enhancing employee engagement and HR service delivery through strong communication and project management skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead HR Processes and Systems: Manage HUIT-wide HR Consulting Services
• Provide technical guidance, consulting, and problem-solving for human resources-related matters, including conducting investigations.
• Consult with managers and employees on employee relations concerns.
• Collaborate with managers to identify and address organizational design, development, or training needs.
• Manage salary administration for new hires, reclassifications, special projects, and staff equity reviews.
• Independently create, maintain, communicate, and participate in the development of HUIT HR practices, and processes, interpret and implement HR policies.
• Create and manage HR landing page with policies, processes, and key client information, and serves as primary liaison to the HUIT Communications Team.
• Manage and implement the annual merit increase and bonus process.
• Manage positions tracking, maintain a system for FTE tracking in collaboration with Finance and HUIT HR Coordinator.
• Collaborate with a centralized HHR functional department to provide HR services to HUIT.
• Ensure compliance with University Human Resources policies, procedures, and requirements and applicable legal regulations.
• May function as subject matter expert in HR-related areas.
• Directly liaise with HRCs and clients to support employee engagement programs and initiatives (including Harvard Heroes, HDLP, MOR)

HR Communications

Develop and execute comprehensive HR communication plans to support the organization’s goals and HR initiatives. Draft documents for all levels of HUIT.

Project Management

Lead and manage HR projects, including planning, execution, and delivery within deadlines and budget.

Employee Engagement Plans

Coordinate with clients to gather feedback through surveys and other tools to assess the effectiveness of engagement strategies.

Data Analysis and Reporting

Generate reports on work outcomes and employee engagement, providing insights and recommendations for improvement.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant HR experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Proven record of successful project management and communication strategy implementation.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills with attention to detail.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Familiarity with project management software and HRIS tools.
• Exceptional Excel and PowerPoint Skills
• Certification in project management (e.g., Agile) is a plus.

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

Orientation and Review Period: 90 days

Work Format Details

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 visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

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

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

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.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.