Social Sciences Assistant Finance Director at Harvard Business School in Cambridge, MA, United States

Job description

• Job Summary: Responsible for comprehensive financial administration, budgeting and operations. Provide management with analysis and reporting. Advise on financial planning.
• The Assistant Finance Director serves as the primary financial advisor for a medium-sized, semi-complex academic department or center or group of units within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Reporting to the Divisional Finance Manager aligned to the academic division, with a dotted line to the academic leader(s) for the unit(s), this role partners closely with faculty, program leaders, and senior administrators to provide strategic financial leadership that advances academic and operational priorities.
• The Assistant Finance Director is responsible for the comprehensive financial management of a complex portfolio, overseeing significant operating budgets and multiple funding sources, including sponsored and non-sponsored funds, endowments, gifts, unrestricted resources, and other specialized funding. This role leads long-range financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis, translating complex financial information into actionable recommendations that support strategic decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Financial Planning & Leadership
• Partner with department leadership (faculty, administrators, and research leaders) to identify strategic priorities and align financial resources accordingly.
• Prepare financial projections and reports for Steering Committee and Executive Committee meetings.
• Conduct scenario planning and long-range financial modeling using available tools and shadow systems.
• Provide financial insights and recommendations to support strategic decision-making.
• Budget Development & Management
• Personnel costs (planned hires, reclassifications, compensation changes)
• Non-personnel expenses and operating costs
• Determine available funding sources and allocate costs in compliance with fund restrictions and terms.
• Prepare detailed program budgets to ensure full transparency of program costs.
• Collaborate with Department Administrators (DAs) and Executive Directors (EDs) to create clear and actionable costing sheets for program managers.
• Ensure program managers understand budget allocations and provide guidance as needed.
• Financial Analysis & Reporting
• Prepare variance analyses and trend reports for department leadership.
• Analyze historical spending patterns and run rates to inform forecasting.
• Develop and deliver financial presentations for leadership meetings.
• Meet regularly with program managers to review actual expenditures against budget and provide recommendations.
• Sponsored Programs & External Reporting
• Support stewardship reporting and financial accountability for externally funded programs.
• Endowments, Gifts & Restricted Funds Management
• Track balances, spending, and commitments for endowment and restricted funds.
• Monitor expenditures to ensure alignment with donor intent and university guidelines.
• Review gift agreements to determine allowable spending and restrictions.
• Partner with donors, development teams, gift offices, tax offices, and departmental leadership to structure agreements that meet institutional and donor goals.
• Ensure proper receipt, allocation, and recording of gift funds.
• Financial Stewardship & Compliance
• Maintain oversight of all unrestricted funds associated with the department.
• Ensure compliance with university financial policies, fund restrictions, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide guidance to faculty and staff on appropriate financial practices and decision-making.
• External Collaboration & Agreements
• Work with external institutions to develop and manage financial agreements related to faculty projects and collaborations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience
• MBA or Master’s degree in relevant field
• Strong knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Experience managing multiple funding sources, including sponsored research, endowments, gifts, and unrestricted funds.
• Familiarity with university financial systems and policies (preferred).
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable insights.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• High level of attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Sound judgment and a high degree of integrity in handling sensitive financial information.

Skills

Required

• Budgeting
• Forecasting
• Financial analysis
• Financial modeling
• University financial systems

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 058. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information.