Director of Business Operations
Apply NowCompany: Job Target
Location: Cambridge, MA 02139
Description:
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree required. At least eight years' experience which includes a combination of finance and administration with a minimum of 5 years in financial management. Supervisory experience required.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
The ideal candidate will be a seasoned financial manager with proven experience in both strategic and operational management, particularly in service delivery and ideally in an academic environment. The candidate will possess proven experience and a strong interest in financial management/analysis, including experience in sponsored research administration, both pre-and post-award, knowledge of fund-accounting and university financial systems, strong knowledge of both internal and external spending policies, robust budgeting, forecasting, and reporting experience. The candidate will bring excellent communication (both oral and written), interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills. Must have an ability to evaluate administrative processes and systems and implement improvements and be committed to developing and motivating team members.
Additional Information
We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.
Position Description
As part of the Senior Leadership team at IQSS, the primary responsibilities of this position include:
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.
Job Summary
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Business Operations is a key member of the IQSS leadership team and has overall responsibility for the day-to-day management IQSS operations related to budgeting, financial administration, communications, events, space management, the faculty and student grants programs, and sponsored research. The role oversees and manages a team of 11 individuals who execute these activities and provides both guidance to the team and hands-on support during vacancies, absences, and times of high volume. In close collaboration with the Executive Director, the Director of Business Operations is responsible to ensure that the team's work maps to IQSS strategic priorities.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
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.
Benefits
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:
Work Format Details
This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
About Us
IQSS sits in the Division of Social Science, which is strongly committed to creating and supporting a diverse workforce. Respect and fairness, kindness and collegiality, and trust and transparency are among the values we espouse and promote in our workplace culture. We work hard to ensure a healthy, inclusive and positive environment where everyone does their best work in support of Harvard's mission.
The Institute for Quantitative Social Science (IQSS) is a university-wide institute whose mission is to solve society's greatest challenges through the creation, preservation, and dissemination of social science knowledge. We build infrastructure and community so social scientists can work at unprecedented speed, scale, and levels of collaboration. The IQSS approach includes: providing an environment (physical space, events, services) that encourages scholars to convene and collaborate; developing powerful (and broadly useful) statistical, computational, and analytical infrastructure and tools; building bridges between the many different scientific communities concerned with real world problems; removing impediments to discovery by providing exceptional administrative services; and supporting and showcasing innovative ideas through the creation and incubation of scientific programs.
Bachelor's degree required. At least eight years' experience which includes a combination of finance and administration with a minimum of 5 years in financial management. Supervisory experience required.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
The ideal candidate will be a seasoned financial manager with proven experience in both strategic and operational management, particularly in service delivery and ideally in an academic environment. The candidate will possess proven experience and a strong interest in financial management/analysis, including experience in sponsored research administration, both pre-and post-award, knowledge of fund-accounting and university financial systems, strong knowledge of both internal and external spending policies, robust budgeting, forecasting, and reporting experience. The candidate will bring excellent communication (both oral and written), interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills. Must have an ability to evaluate administrative processes and systems and implement improvements and be committed to developing and motivating team members.
Additional Information
We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.
Position Description
As part of the Senior Leadership team at IQSS, the primary responsibilities of this position include:
- Responsible for building and managing the annual fiscal year non-sponsored budget of approximately $10 million, mapping to the current business strategy and goals of IQSS and of several research programs that are administered by the Institute. This includes multi-year forecasts to assess and maintain the financial health of the organization.
- Advisory and oversight of sponsored programs administration for the Institute, including both pre- and post-award, overseeing a team of five including the Director of Sponsored Research Administration, with $4 million in annual expenditures.
- Prepare, review, and advise on all Institute contracts and Independent Contractor agreements in collaboration with OGC and Strategic Procurement; serve as Institute authorized signatory. These include vendor contracts with external organizations and service contracts for IQSS programs providing fee-for-service to internal and external organizations.
- In close collaboration with the Executive Director and the Assistant Director of Finance, provide strategic overview and planning of all funds to ensure long-term financial integrity of the Institute. This includes identifying and separating funds that support core activities from funds that support standalone projects and programs.
- Act as controller with responsibility for overall financial compliance.
- Creation and development of local financial policies and procedures; proactively identifying spaces for improvement in current policies & procedures.
- Manage space planning for the Institute's staff, visitors, faculty and student affiliates, including oversight of space-sharing, rooms for private calls ("zoom rooms"), and conference/meeting rooms.
- Manage direct reports' (6 exempt and non-exempt) activities and professional growth (guide work plans, provide tutoring and training, manage professional development, approve schedules, etc.).
- Manage the IQSS Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, Graduate Student Travel and Research Grant Program, and various conferences and educational events.
- Oversee the Communication and outreach team with responsibilities including developing feature articles for the website by freelance writers, overseeing the planning of community events, and working with staff to maintain and improve IQSS space with an eye toward creating an Institute "brand." May be required to serve as editor of feature pieces.
- In coordination with the Executive Director, responsible for representing the Institute's interests in designated meetings with other units in the FAS and across Harvard and with external constituencies.
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.
Job Summary
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Business Operations is a key member of the IQSS leadership team and has overall responsibility for the day-to-day management IQSS operations related to budgeting, financial administration, communications, events, space management, the faculty and student grants programs, and sponsored research. The role oversees and manages a team of 11 individuals who execute these activities and provides both guidance to the team and hands-on support during vacancies, absences, and times of high volume. In close collaboration with the Executive Director, the Director of Business Operations is responsible to ensure that the team's work maps to IQSS strategic priorities.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
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.
Benefits
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.
Work Format Details
This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
About Us
IQSS sits in the Division of Social Science, which is strongly committed to creating and supporting a diverse workforce. Respect and fairness, kindness and collegiality, and trust and transparency are among the values we espouse and promote in our workplace culture. We work hard to ensure a healthy, inclusive and positive environment where everyone does their best work in support of Harvard's mission.
The Institute for Quantitative Social Science (IQSS) is a university-wide institute whose mission is to solve society's greatest challenges through the creation, preservation, and dissemination of social science knowledge. We build infrastructure and community so social scientists can work at unprecedented speed, scale, and levels of collaboration. The IQSS approach includes: providing an environment (physical space, events, services) that encourages scholars to convene and collaborate; developing powerful (and broadly useful) statistical, computational, and analytical infrastructure and tools; building bridges between the many different scientific communities concerned with real world problems; removing impediments to discovery by providing exceptional administrative services; and supporting and showcasing innovative ideas through the creation and incubation of scientific programs.