The Assistant Director for Research Administration and Finance (ADRAF) will be responsible for pre and post award grant management, financial management and modeling, and all financial compliance within OI. The ADRAF will oversee and manage the Finance Associate. In addition to managing staff and processes, the ADRAF will have a small portfolio of PIs’ awards that are deemed complicated and complex. The ADRAF will report to the Executive Director and serve as a member of
the senior management team.
The Center has a “full-cycle” grant management structure. In addition to pre- and post-award management of sponsored awards and gifts, the ADRAF will review and approve expenditures (HCOM, Corporate Card, PCard etc.). The ADRAF ensures compliance with internal Harvard polices, processes
and deadlines. This includes working closely with OSP, RAS, OGC and Central finance departments.
The ADRAF will establish and monitor effective pre-and post-award processes, including pre-award activities (e.g., proposal submission, award validation approval and set-up, etc.) and post-award activities areas (e.g., award approval and set-up, financial analysis, reporting, etc.). The ADRAF will Overview Assistant Director of Research Administration and Finance, Job Description, 2025 work with OI leadership on annual budgeting, financial projections and modeling, and regular budget
reporting to account for Center sustainability, growth, and diversified funding streams.
Term: This is a 12-month term position with strong possibility of renewal.
This role will:
• Ensure accurate and timely budget development, financial modeling, and analysis and reporting.
• Establish and monitor effective pre- and post -award processes and systems.
• Manage pre-award areas including proposal submission, award validation approval and set-up.
• Manage such post-award areas including award approval and set-up, financial analysis and reporting.
• Track and collaborate on the development of new award procedures within OI that support University wide policies and initiatives.
• Oversee the signatory process and track vendor and contract arrangements to ensure transparency and compliance with University policies.
• Provide problem resolution, guidance and or training for sponsored research award management, compliance, systems, and reporting.
• Interpret regulations and guidelines of multiple program funding with complex and broad guidelines for spending.
• Lead the audit of individual sponsored accounts to ensure compliance with University and sponsored regulations.
• Ensure financial compliance with University policies and procedures and applicable federal and sponsor rules and regulations.
• Provide effective staff management for a small team of finance staff, including hiring and orientation, training and development, workflow and performance management, and the promotion of an inclusive and innovative work environment.
• Act as representative at the School/University level.
Please note: Harvard University will be transitioning to a new, streamlined applicant system, Careers@Harvard after 6/12/25. To express your interest in this position between 6/12/25 – 6/30/25, please send your cover letter and resume directly to hiring@opportunityinsights.org, and you will be notified if any additional action is required to ensure your information is captured correctly in our new system.
