The Associate Director, Business Operations is a member of the team supporting a wide range of programs and activities for the Harvard Business School (HBS) faculty and its governance. The Associate Director provides leadership and subject matter expertise to faculty and colleagues across the Division and the School on data collection and analysis, financial best practices, emerging administrative tools and technologies, and research policies, processes, and procedures. As a key member of the Business Operations team, the Associate Director supports the work of the Division in the following ways:

• Managing the Business Operations support staff in the successful execution of their roles
• Providing leadership in the development, maintenance, and continual improvement of the Division’s systems and processes and the identification and implementation of new and emerging tools and technology
• Serving as the Division’s data custodian, directing the process for regular collection, analysis, and dissemination of data from the Division of Research and Faculty Development (DRFD) departments and other sources
• Liaising with outside vendors to develop new systems that meet the needs of the departments and Division
• Supporting the Division in the annual School-wide budgeting process and other financial and data reporting processes. The Associate Director demonstrates a thorough understanding of the work of the HBS faculty, the DRFD teams supporting their work, and School-wide processes and is a resource to others.

Reporting to the Associate Managing Director for Business Operations, and working closely with members of the Business Operations and larger DRFD team, the primary responsibilities of the Associate Director, Business Operations include:

Staff Management

• Manage the Business Operations support staff in the successful execution of their roles, ensuring the highest quality customer service to the faculty and their support staff. Provide leadership, guidance, and direction to staff.
• Recommend, develop, implement, and administer procedures to improve business operations activities. Identify opportunities to improve and streamline operational processes.
• Together with the Senior Associate Director and Associate Managing Director, ensure accurate and consistent execution of various financial processes and policies related to the management of individual faculty research budgets, participate in the recommendation and development of new processes and policies as needed.
• Manage the orientation and acculturation of staff. Help staff to build strong working relationships and ensure they have the information, tools, training, etc. necessary to be most effective and successful in their roles.
• Provide on-going training and professional development for staff. Set team and individual goals. Provide proactive, continual feedback as part of the annual performance management process. Administer time and labor reporting in an accurate and timely manner.
• Foster an environment for staff that is challenging, motivating, collaborative and supportive. Provide opportunities for staff to grow professionally and build on important career skills.

Systems Development and Maintenance

• Lead the development and maintenance of the Business Operations systems and processes that are central to the Division’s function of administering the over 300 faculty research budgets.
• Provide a proactive, continual improvement focus in updating this core capability to meet evolving needs.
• Actively seek out opportunities to advance personal and Division knowledge around emerging technologies (AI, CRM, database systems, etc.) and lead/support integration of these technologies in department workflow.
• Leveraging a deep understanding of business processes across the division, provide guidance and assistance to DRFD colleagues on implementation of systems to improve business processes.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• A minimum of 7 years relevant work experience
• Supervisory experience

Other Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS required
• A minimum of 10 years of financial management or accounting experience, particularly in an academic environment.
• Financial experience must include accounting, budgeting, reforecasting, and modeling.
• Hands-on experience and a strong interest and skill in financial and systems management, data analysis, planning, reporting.

Additional/Desired Qualifications:

• MBA, M.Ed., or CPA preferred.
• Advanced Excel Skills.
• Financial Planning and Analysis skills.
• SQL Query language proficiency.
• Oracle Financials experience.
• Access, MySQL or other database management experience.
• Understanding of financial and expense best practices.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and high standards for accuracy.
• Continuous growth and development mindset.
• Strong customer service, interpersonal, organizational, analytical and communication skills.
• Deep understanding of confidentiality, diplomacy, professionalism, and the ability to build relationships at all levels of an organization.
• The ability to be flexible in a constantly changing environment.
• Experience with and commitment to providing excellent service both within a team and on an individual basis.

Additional duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Data Collection and Analysis

• Serve as the data custodian for the Division’s financial and administrative information, ensuring that data entry, storage, updating, and sharing of information is performed accurately, within established deadlines, and adheres to HBS and HU policies and internal controls as they relate to finance and administration.
• Guide colleagues in the process for regular collection, analysis, and dissemination of data from the Departments and other sources.
• Partner with DRFD managers and staff to support their data collection processes at the department level. Where appropriate, analyze business processes and suggest data collection improvements.
• Serve as a resource and facilitator with outside vendors to develop new systems that meet the needs of the department and Division.
• Create databases, reports, and analysis to inform strategic decision making.

Financial Data Management

• Assist faculty and DRFD managers seeking financial data and information on financial policies and procedures. Compiles financial data and information and creates appropriate reports and tools to convey information.
• Manage the individual faculty research budget forecast in support of the quarterly reforecast process. Prepare detailed supporting documents for the course development and special projects forecasts for the quarterly forecasts.
• Contribute to the preparation of reports and materials related to the annual School-wide budgeting process.
• Participate in financial planning and analysis and budget modeling. Assist with the formation and maintenance of the research and administrative budgets.
• Assemble data and perform financial analysis to inform strategic decisions within the DRFD.
• Work closely with the Senior Associate Director to develop and manage the monthly process for reconciling accounts. Assess needs, recommend, and develop enhancements to the financial planning and analysis information systems.
• This role is responsible for other duties as assigned.

Other key aspects of this role will be shared through a full job description with selected candidates at the interview stage.

This is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of remote and onsite work at our Boston, MA based campus. HBS expects all staff to be onsite 3 days per week and departments provide onsite coverage Monday – Friday. Specific hours and days onsite will be determined by business needs and are subject to change with appropriate advanced notice.

We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role.

A cover letter is required to be considered for this opportunity.

Harvard Business School will not offer visa sponsorship for this opportunity.

Culture of Inclusion: The work and well-being of HBS is profoundly strengthened by the diversity of our network and our differences in background, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and life experiences. Explore more about HBS work culture here https://www.hbs.edu/employment.

Founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University, Harvard Business School (www.hbs.edu) is located on a 40-acre campus in Boston. The School offers two full-time MBA and PhD programs, more than 175 Executive Education programs, and certificates and courses through Harvard Business School Online. For more than a century, Harvard Business School faculty have drawn on their research, connection to practice, global expertise, and passion for teaching to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. The School and its curriculum attract the boldest thinkers and the most collaborative learners who will shape the practice of business and entrepreneurship around the globe.

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) 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.

Faculty & Student Services, Finance

USA - MA - Boston

F0858M Financial Admin Ops Mgt IV

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

-

058

Division of Research and Faculty Development

$115,000 - $125,000

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Full-time

Credit, Criminal, Education, Identity

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

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.