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
To be considered for this position, please include a cover letter describing your interest in the role and relevant experience.
Oversee the development and administration of a school/unit’s financial planning activities and processes. Provide specialized analysis, reporting and guidance to clients and staff.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
Organizational Context:Campus Services provides essential services to the Harvard community. The 14 Campus Services departments have approximately 1,800 active employees (70% of staff are represented by eight unions) and a combined annual budget of more than $700 million. These departments provide stewardship, strategic support, and client/customer services in the areas of buildings and facilities, graduate housing, capital projects, sustainability, parking, engineering and utilities, dining, hospitality and events management, and international support.
The Campus Services Finance & Administration Department (CSFA) provides accounting, financial analysis, budgeting and planning, procurement, taxes and financial administrative support services to the Campus Services business units and the customers they serve. The organization is comprised of 3 main functions: Controller, Financial Planning and Analysis, and Procurement.
Duties and Responsibilities: The Financial Manager supports the Harvard University Dining Services (HUD) portfolio and provides direction & leadership in all financial areas including budget preparation, multi-year financial planning, monthly and annual financial reporting, financial analysis, and business analysis. This position interacts regularly in a consultative role with senior management in the business units and financial partners around the University. The financial manager is expected to be an invested partner to unit leadership and to stay abreast of and help further the unit’s mission.
Budgeting, Forecasting & Multi-Year Financial Planning (35%)
- Lead the overall budget process for one or more business units.
- Design budget worksheets for business manager input.
- Prepare quarterly financial reviews and re-forecasts. Research and describe variances.
- Work with business managers and other internal groups to gather information and budget for all revenue & expense categories.
- Load all data into the budget system and review financial models to ensure accuracy.
- Review final budgets with business managers and document key budget assumptions & variance explanations.
- Prepare budget narratives. Prepare supporting schedules and business performance metrics & graphs.
- Lead the development of 5-year capital plan submission. Assess capital plan and advise business leaders on funding options and/or affordability issues.
- Lead the annual creation of the Multi-Year Financial Plan for designated business units. Maintain Multi-Year Financial Plan models and assist business managers/directors with annual updates.
Financial Reporting (25%)
- Review business income statements with business managers and directors research & explain unbudgeted items.
- Complete year end analysis and provide detailed explanations of business line variances versus budget.
- Lead the preparation of year-end report. Prepare supporting schedules and update all business performance metrics & graphs.
- Prepares ad-hoc reports and analysis for business units and senior leadership.
- Creates custom reports for unit managers and directors.
- Designs reporting tools for senior leadership.
- Participates in the development of KPI’s with CS leadership.
Managerial Responsibilities (15%)
- Manage, lead & coach one or more financial professionals.
- Provide direction & feedback through recurring meetings, and the annual goal setting and performance review process.
- Guide and/or assist direct report in his/her work and in other unit work efforts.
- Assist with recruiting, hiring, and training new personnel as necessary.
- Serve as a mentor to other finance and accounting professionals throughout the organization.
Month End Close (10%)
- Review business income statements with business managers and directors and research & explain unbudgeted expenses or other variances as requested.
- Lead financial review meetings with clients, describe results for a non-financial audience.
- Identify and follow through on journal vouchers and reclasses as identified through the monthly review process.
Operating & Capital Project Administration (10%)
- Ensure accurate accounting and coding for operating and capital project expenses.
- Assist business managers, project managers and others in updating operating and capital project information in capital planning database/
- Provide support for preparing and/or reviewing construction authorizations and sources of funding to open capital projects.
- Work with business managers to prepare justifications and document any financial analysis and/or P&L impact for operating & capital projects.
- Work with business managers, project managers, and accounting department to prepare close-out documentation when projects are completed and provide coding based on under/over funded amounts.
Other (5%)
- May serve on committees and represent FP&A in University wide meetings or conduct trainings of a general nature for clients.
- Work with business managers on various special projects and analysis as necessary.
- Develop knowledge and skills in the use of new and existing business-specific and/or University systems that support transactions and/or reports necessary for accurate business accounting.
- Team with the Campus Services Controller’s department and/or other Harvard departments to improve business processes and systems.
- Assist in the documentation, implementation, and communication of accounting procedures in conjunction with improving existing procedures.
Working Conditions:
This position is expected to have an on-campus presence an average of approximately 2 days per week to promote face-to-face interaction with team members and clients. Any remote work should be performed in Massachusetts or in compliance with Harvard’s Out of State Employment Policy.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
- Minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience
- Supervisory Experience
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting preferred
- Strong knowledge of accounting, combined with exceptional analytical skills and financial modeling skills, preferred.
- Experience with university hospitality operations, preferred.
- Must have demonstrated ability to identify financial issues, apply them to operational causes, and develop best practice solutions.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong interpersonal & collaboration skills, the ability to work effectively in a team and independently in a fast-paced environment, and keen attention to detail.
- Must be able to manage multiple responsibilities, set priorities, take initiative and meet deadlines.
- Must have excellent computer skills including in-depth understanding of, and experience with, databases, spreadsheets, word processing, and scheduling/email software packages.
Additional Information
Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week
Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal
#LI-JD3
Work Format Details
This is a position that is based at a Harvard campus location with some remote work options available. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). 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.