Strategic Finance Director — Planning & Growth (Hybrid)

Harvard Kennedy School; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Health, dental, and vision benefits

Tuition assistance and reimbursement

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard Kennedy School seeks a Director of Financial Management and Planning to lead financial strategy and planning for the Ash Center. The role oversees budgeting, reporting, and compliance across endowments, gifts, and sponsored funds.

You will supervise a finance team, collaborate with faculty and senior staff, and drive financial health for multiple programs within a decentralized university setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Minimum of 8 years’ relevant work experience.
• Supervisory experience.
• Senior financial management experience, and an understanding of higher education systems, governance, and decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial guidance to the Faculty Director and Executive Director to ensure resource allocation enables Center goals and objectives.
• Develop and maintain a 5-year financial plan for the Center’s three foundational endowment funds.
• Oversee the work of the Center’s finance team and grant/contracts administration.
• Lead annual budgeting process for all funds in conjunction with Center Executive Director.
• Direct financial operations including updating chart of accounts, record keeping, training, and control mechanisms.
• Provide regular financial reporting to PIs, senior managers, and Center leadership.

Skills

Financial planning

Budgeting

Forecasting

Leadership

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Harvard Kennedy School seeks a Director of Financial Management and Planning to lead financial strategy and planning for the Ash Center. The role oversees budgeting, reporting, and compliance across endowments, gifts, and sponsored funds.

You will supervise a finance team, collaborate with faculty and senior staff, and drive financial health for multiple programs within a decentralized university setting.