Strategy Analyst at Harvard Business School in Cambridge, MA, United States
- Company: Harvard Business School
- Location: Cambridge, MA, United States
- Posted: Sep 23, 2026
- Type: Full-time
- Experience: 5+ years
Overview
Harvard’s Office of Financial Strategy & Planning is a dynamic and entrepreneurial working environment that supports and facilitates decision-making at the highest levels of the University (including the CFO, EVP, Provost, President and Corporation) in key areas of financial management and strategic…
Job description
- Harvard’s Office of Financial Strategy & Planning is a dynamic and entrepreneurial working environment that supports and facilitates decision-making at the highest levels of the University (including the CFO, EVP, Provost, President and Corporation) in key areas of financial management and strategic planning.
- As an Analyst, you will be responsible for the office’s relationship with a few of the University’s Schools and business Units, including conducting objective analyses of the Schools’ financial performance, developing an in-depth understanding of their financial structure, and reviewing the Schools’ and Units’ quarterly results, annual budgets, long-range financial and capital planning. This position will also be involved in a wide range of initiatives to advise University leadership, Schools and Units on critical strategic financial questions (e.g., endowment planning, capital planning considerations, financial policy development, etc.).
Responsibilities
- Working closely with School leadership to analyze and evaluate quarterly results, operating budgets, multi-year financial plans and multi-year capital plans ahead of engagement with the CFO, EVP, Provost, President, and the Corporation.
- Synthesizing findings and determining short- and long-term ramifications for all stakeholders.
- Designing and delivering presentations that educate University and School leadership on potential options, facilitating informal and formal dialogue as needed.
- Developing hypotheses and conducting analyses to respond to Schools’ ad-hoc queries and strategic requests.
- Performing other ad-hoc projects to support the policies and decision-making of the CFO, EVP, President, Corporation, and other senior University leadership.
- Working closely with other groups within the central finance division (including the Office of the Controller, the Office of Treasury Management, and the Office of Sponsored Programs) to better understand University-wide financial management issues that inform planning, reporting, and analysis.
Requirements
- Basic Qualifications are the minimum threshold a candidate must meet in order to be considered for this role.
- For consideration, please include a cover letter.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
- Minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience
- The following qualifications are strongly preferred. If you meet some, but not all, you are still encouraged to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn.
- MBA (or other relevant professional/graduate degree) a plus; Note: An MBA with prior consulting experience, or extensive financial analytics experience in a complex environment, can offset the required years of experience.
- Excellent analytical, written, and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to senior ("C-level") leadership.
- All applicants must demonstrate experience with designing and executing strategy-based financial analyses, including scenario modeling.
- Must be well organized, flexible, and able to manage multiple challenging projects simultaneously in a dynamic environment.
- Applicants must also have collaborative working style and ability to build strong relationships with people at all levels of the organization.
Skills
Required
- Analytical skills
- Written communication skills
- Verbal communication skills
- Scenario modeling
- Organizational skills
- Flexibility
- Collaborative working style
Preferred
- Prior consulting experience
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.
- This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.
About Harvard Business School
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. Harvard's Financial Administration Department (FAD) is responsible for the stewardship of the University’s finances, including related business processes and technology in support of the teaching and research mission of the University. Within and across the University, we aim to be exemplary colleagues, trusted partners, valued advisors, and agents of positive change. Within and across the University, we aim to be exemplary colleagues, trusted partners, valued advisors, and agents of positive change. Engage with respect, honesty, and integrity Cultivate equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging Welcome innovation, collaboration, and flexibility Enjoy our work, grow professionally, and aim for the extraordinary Learn more about Financial Administration (harvard.edu) and our eight reporting units. (https://finance.harvard.edu/)