Job Listings

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

63829BR

Position Description
The Office of Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) supports the School's mission by serving as a central resource for the research community through the provision of expertise and leadership in obtaining and managing research funds. It acts as the institutional representative of the President and Fellows of Harvard College for the administration of sponsored projects for the school. SPA is comprised of research administrators that work in partnership with faculty to review and submit proposals for funding and to ensure that proposals and then awards conform and are managed according to sponsor guidelines and University policies. 

The role will support innovative research at the world's leading public health research institution, primarily in the Department of Molecular Metabolism, an interdisciplinary life sciences department. Why merge the biological laboratory sciences with traditional public health disciplines? Widespread non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, inflammatory diseases, neurological disorders, and cancer, are a global health problem of increasing severity that account for the vast majority of human morbidity and death. These complex, multifactorial diseases arise through a poorly understood interplay between genetic and environmental factors, with deviations in normal cellular and systemic metabolism emerging as a shared underlying feature. .
Reporting jointly to the Executive Director for Administration in the Department of Molecular Metabolism and the Department of Nutrition, the Director of Finance, and the Chief Research Administration Officer in the Research Administration Office, the role is an intergral leadership position in the Department and is responsible for financial and grants management.  They will oversee a team of Senior Grant Managers and all sponsored and non-sponsored awards in the department.

The responsibilities  include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Team and Workflow Management

• Supervise and train grants managers ; providing daily guidance
• Allocate research administrator portfolios and workload for effectiveness
• Assess performance and conduct reviews for direct reports
• Coordinate with RAST services to manage pre-award processing. 

2. Financial Management and Planning

• Oversee post-award management for the department's portfolio of sponsored research grants and fellowships. This includes NIH, DOD, along with other federal and non-federal funding sources
• Manage of the department's non-sponsored accounts. These include but are not limited to endowments, gifts, start-up funding, and  the Department's research centers including the Sabri Ülker Center, Harvard Chan CAP-CVD: Center on Causes and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, and the The Harvard Chan Advanced Multi-omics Platform (ChAMP).
• Prepare annual Department budget, working closely with the Executive Director of Administration and senior leadership
• Approve and transmit most departmental financial transactions.

3. Compliance and Guidance

• Provide guidance to staff and faculty in interpreting and applying University, School and sponsor policies.
• Ensure compliance for all fund types.
• Ensure that grant managers can work effectively with faculty in providing the information they need to effectively manage their funding and effort.
• Work with faculty directly as needed.
• Develop and implement departmental policies and processes

4. Other

• Participate in School-wide and University-wide initiatives and meetings 
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned

PLEASE NOTE: This position is eligible for 100% remote work. All remote work must be performed in a state in which Harvard is registered to do business (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, California (exempt staff only), Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, and Washington).

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 7 years' relevant work experience
• Advanced knowledge of sponsored research regulations
• Supervisory experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills
The following job-specific skills and competencies are preferred:

• MBA or Masters' degree in relevant field
• Strong computing skills, particularly with Microsoft Excel
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, advanced Excel skills s
• Knowledge of advanced financial principles, budget management, financial analysis strongly preferred
• Expert knowledge of federal sponsored research policies and regulations strongly preferred
• Knowledge of  human subjects and animal use along with other research compliance areas
• Experience with financial systems
• Education and/or experience with general finance and accounting concepts and practices
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, as well as excellent oral and written communication skills
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills preferred
• Experience working with faculty and students
• Effectively assesses priorities, manages change, and effectively juggles multiple complex activities in a time-sensitive environment 

The following cultural competencies are also preferred:

• Awareness of and aptitude to appropriately and effectively understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based difference within group environments
• Knowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Skills related to creating and supporting an environment that allows for inclusion, effective intercultural engagement, and personal humility and authenticity
•  Experience fostering and reinforcing an environment that values unique experiences, cultures, backgrounds, and goals

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in an office setting

Additional Information
Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country!
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• The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.
• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.
• This position has a 120 day orientation and review period.

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The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Benefits
We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function
Finance

Department Office Location
USA - MA - Boston

Job Code
F0858M Financial Admin Ops Mgt IV

Work Format
Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Department
Sponsored Programs Administration - Molecular Metabolism

Sub-Unit
*

Time Status
Full-time

Salary Grade
058

Union
00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening
Education, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
At the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, we believe that diversity is integral to the Harvard experience and our mission of improving public health education, research and policy. Diversity of cultural backgrounds, identities, lived experiences, perspectives, and ways of understanding the world enriches our community and enables us to best meet the public health needs of the United States and the world. Ongoing learning and development related to diversity allows for both individual and institutional growth, and is necessary to foster and sustain a culture of inclusion. To achieve this, we are committed to ensuring equitable access to opportunities for learning, living, and working at the Harvard Chan School. We maintain an unwavering dedication to diversity, inclusion, and belonging as core to our institutional values and to actively counter, minimize, and address racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, gender bias, and all forms of discrimination.

Learn more about the School's mission, objectives, and core values and our diversity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives.

EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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