Senior Finance Associate

Job Summary:

The EdRedesign Lab at Harvard Graduate School of Education: Founded in 2014 by Paul Reville, Francis Keppel Professor of Practice of Educational Policy and Administration at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, EdRedesign provides catalytic support to the cradle-to-career place-based partnership field to drive systems-level change and open personalized pathways to well-being, educational attainment, civic engagement, and upward mobility. To support this growing field to effect transformational change that serves the needs and talents of individual children and youth, our work focuses on talent development, actionable research, our Institute for Success Planning, and our By All Means initiatives. Our mission is to ensure the social, emotional, physical, and academic development and well-being of all children and youth, especially those affected by racism, poverty, and disinvestment.

Reporting to EdRedesign’s Director of Finance and Operations, the Senior Finance Associate will be responsible for supporting the Director with: Financial Systems Programming; Financial Transactions; Financial Administration; Financial Reporting and Analysis and Budgeting and Forecasting.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Financial Systems Programming

Supporting the Director of Finance & Operations’ needs with respect to financial reporting, budgeting, projections, and strategy, using a combination of Harvard systems, Excel, and other finance software as needed, build and maintain a model to produce accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports. Reports and models should use high-level programming to automate tasks and allow Lab leadership to update as necessary.

Support the Director of Finance & Operations in programming and maintaining:

• A model for allocating staff effort across EdRedesign’s grants, ensuring proper utilization of grant funds;
• A system for tracking expenses to actuals across all projects and departments. 
• A system for projecting expenses.
• A system for 3-year projections of the financial standing of EdRedesign, including scenario planning.
• A system for creating budgets for grant proposals and grant reporting.

Financial Transactions

• Process all payment requests, ensuring timely payment and compliance with University policies and applicable contractual obligations – including, honoraria payments, vendor invoices, employee and non-employee reimbursements, fellowship payments.
• Handle/troubleshoot supplier set-up and updates in Buy2Pay (resolving issues in a timely manner) and serve as resource to Lab staff on payment requests and supplier set-up.
• Maintain tracking system for all payments requests. 
• Review corporate card reports and reconcile department card transactions in Concur. 
• Serve as the Lab’s P-Card administrator, including submit applications, review monthly transactions, maintain receipts, answer questions and serve as resource to all cardholders. 
• Collaborate with external departments on co-sponsored activities and cross-validated arrangements. 

Financial Administration

• Assist with fiscal month-end and year-end accounting and reconciliation, and other financial administration and financial operations tasks as assigned.
• Apply financial policies, compliance, and accounting procedures to ensure financial compliance with Lab, HGSE, and University policies and procedures and applicable legal rules and regulations.
• Work closely with Director of Finance to draft and implement departmental financial policies and procedures.
• Serve as a resource to Lab staff on transactional inquiries and financial/budgetary questions that require problem-solving and analytic capability.
• Makes recommendations on effective use of financial tools such as Chart of Accounts.

Financial Reporting and Analysis

• Produce and distribute financial reports to help inform Lab leadership on resource allocation and decision-making.
• Perform financial analysis and modeling to forecast income and expenses and report on financial status through quarterly variance analysis of budgeted, forecasted, and actual financial data.
• Identify spending trends, recognizing potential budget or compliance issues, and make recommendations for informed, appropriate, and planful fund management, and other improvements and changes based on the information gleaned from analysis.
• Prepare varied financial reports including budget-to-actuals and highlight key issues for Lab leadership.
• Perform ad-hoc financial analyses as needed. 

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Work closely with Director of Finance to assist with preparation of annual budget documents and all budget-related processes.
• Assist with development of domain or project-specific budgets as needed.
• Perform financial analysis and modeling to forecast income and expenses; assist with multi-year forecasting.

This position is a term appointment for one year from the date of hire, with a possibility of renewal based on operational need and funding.

HGSE is currently developing dynamic workplace models which will actively support a combination of on-campus and remote work (within a state in which Harvard is registered to do business) where business and operational needs allow. You and your manager will discuss the best schedule based on your role and operational need. If your role allows for remote work, please note that all remote work must be performed within a state in which Harvard is registered to do business (CA (Only Exempt), CT, GA, IL, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VA, VT, and WA). Please also note that Harvard will withhold each applicable state’s required tax and other withholdings from your paycheck for the time you work there.

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years related finance/accounting experience 
• Previous experience in non-profit accounting.
• Experience with financial systems including using Macros, Power Query, and Power BI, or similar tools.
• Ability to work overtime during peak periods as needed including nights and weekends.

Any candidate wishing to be considered must supply a cover letter in addition to their resume.  Please upload as one document.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Commitment to EdRedesign’s mission, vision, and values
• High level of comfort in a fast-paced, high-energy, entrepreneurial environment. 
• Ability to multitask against competing demands and deadlines. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with Event Registration software (Cvent; Blackthorn; SurveyMonkey; Apply; or others) and Project Management software (Asana, Basecamp, Monday, or others).Familiarity with Harvard University’s financial systems and policies is helpful. 

• Appointment End Date: 1 year from date of hire
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable): $75k - $84k commensurate with experience
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity and Education

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 056. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

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. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.