Assistant Director, Finance and Administration

Position Description

Specific Job Summary

The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies advances understanding of housing issues and informs policy. Through its research, education, and public outreach programs, the Center helps leaders in government, business, and the civic sectors make decisions that effectively address the needs of cities and communities. Through graduate and executive courses, as well as fellowships and internship opportunities, the Center also trains and inspires the next generation of housing leaders.

The Center, which is a mission-driven organization that promotes a culture of collaboration, creativity, respect, diversity, and inclusion, is a financially independent research center within Harvard University and operates as a stand-alone tub. The Assistant Director, Finance and Administration position offers an opportunity to broaden one’s skills and experience by contributing to the overall operations of the Center and holds strong potential for career advancement.

The Assistant Director, Finance and Administration works closely with the Associate Director of Finance and Administration and the Center Administrator and is responsible for independently performing a variety of in-depth financial analyses and administrative tasks for the Center to assist management with financial planning and budgeting, monthly financial reporting, as well as the overall management of the Center.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Finance

  • Performs a variety of financial analyses that identify trends to help inform management decision making
  • Maintains Excel business models for sponsored research awards, as well as models for the Policy Advisory Board and Remodeling Futures Program, and reconciles these to the general ledger on a monthly basis
  • Assists with maintaining the Center’s overall business model which includes all income and expense for the Center
  • Assists with the preparation of grant proposals
  • Assists with the annual budget process and multi-year forecasts
  • Produces financial reports, including annual, quarterly, monthly, and ad hoc
  • Acts as a resource for the Center on transactional inquires and financial/budgetary questions that require problem-solving and analytic capability
  • Serves as one of two Authorized Requestors for the Center
  • Represents the Center at the semi-monthly University Financial Analysts Forum
  • Ensures financial compliance with university policies and procedures and applicable legal rules and regulations

Administrative

  • Working closely with the Associate Director, will assist with administration of numerous grants and fellowships the Center awards annually to students and faculty
  • Assists with human resources activities including staff time and absence approval, open position searches, and general guidance to staff on HR matters
  • Assists with management of office space and computer equipment
  • Participates in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging working groups at the Center
  • Performs additional job duties as these evolve

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

May delegate work to Center Administrator

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
  • Minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

SPECIFIC BASIC QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION:

  • Minimum of 5 or more years of relevant work experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area (business, management, etc.) or equivalent work experience required
  • In-depth knowledge of Excel and Microsoft Office Suite
  • Experience with budget management, financial analysis, financial modeling and basic accounting principles
  • Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with complete discretion

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • It is essential that the person in this position have a strong work ethic, be flexible and adaptive to change, and demonstrate professionalism and enthusiasm for the work of the Center.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, written oral communication, and organizational skills, including experience presenting to senior leadership.
  • Knowledge of or ability to learn Harvard financial systems (Oracle Financials, HART, GMAS, HUBS, Concur, B2P, PeopleSoft, ECRT, and ESTR)
  • MBA (or other relevant professional/graduate degree) is a plus

Physical Requirements

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

There are no known physical requirements related to this position

Working Conditions

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This hybrid position is performed in an office setting on the Harvard University campus with the option of working remotely part of the week.

Additional Information

Applications are accepted and encouraged from candidates not based in the Boston-Cambridge area, so long as they are able to commute to campus regularly during the academic year and reside in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New York, California, New Jersey, Georgia, Virginia, Illinois, Washington state, or Maryland.

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

To apply, please visit the Harvard Careers Website.

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