Director, Cost Analysis

The Office for Sponsored Programs is a department within Harvard University’s Financial Administration (FAD) that is focused on providing high-quality administrative and financial assistance to faculty and other University affiliates performing sponsored research.

OSP works with researchers and schools across Harvard to help obtain and negotiate awards from sponsoring agencies, assist with grant proposal preparation, ensure compliance with federal regulations and University policies, provide financial support including financial reporting and billing and collection services, assist with audits, and promote knowledge of sponsored research administration throughout the University research community through training and other educational programs.

Read on to fully understand what this job requires in terms of skills and experience If you are a good match, make an application.

The Director of Cost Analysis in the Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP) has oversight and responsibility for matters related to cost accounting, including facilities and administration (F&A) rates, and for oversight of University wide functions and policies relating to effort reporting, equipment management, and other operational research administration matters.

The Director is also the subject matter expert on the federal requirements relating to calculating and negotiating fringe benefits.

Working closely with the schools, the Director creates and manages the overall project plan for the F&A proposals, provides the data for the Central allocations, consolidates the tub data for the Cambridge rate, and is responsible for coordination of the submission, audit, and negotiation of the Cambridge proposal.

The Director :

• Is a resource to the HMS, HSPH, and Wyss Institute rate proposal and negotiation processes (separate rate areas).
• Has a leadership role in working with other University offices including the Office of Treasury Management, the Office of the Controller, Planning and Project Management, Harvard Library, the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost, Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT), and Harvard Real Estate on data requirements for rate calculations and other functions of the Cost Analysis team.
• Drives strategy for maximizing cost recovery for the F&A rate for base years and, when appropriate, projection periods.

They provide key analytical support to the University financial stakeholders throughout the process and on an interim basis throughout the rate periods.

The incumbent also liaises with Harvard’s cognizant federal agencies, DHHS (for F&A) and ONR (for equipment).

• Works closely with the schools and HUIT on all aspects of effort reporting and equipment management including policies and procedures, operations, and the related software.
• Serves as a primary contact for interpretation of federal policies relating to costing, indirect costs, and compliance.
• Participates in the University-wide Operations and Policy Committee (OPC) that creates, reviews, and updates sponsored policies.
• Supports the University’s tax-exempt debt compliance activities, including coordinating the annual space utilization collection and responding to PI-specific requests, when necessary.
• Has other duties as needed or required.

Please provide a cover letter with your application.

Please note :

• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screening.
• We are unable to provide work authorization and / or visa sponsorship.
• This position has a 90-day orientation and review period.

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Accessibility :

Harvard University IT plays an important role in supporting Harvard's commitment by seeking to create, procure and deploy technologies that are accessible to all, including and especially those who live with disability.

Harvard welcomes individuals with disabilities to apply for positions and participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact our University Disability Resources Department.

Work Format Details :

FAD actively supports hybrid work where business needs allow. This position has been designated as a hybrid position. While this position is hybrid, travel to campus may be necessary based on business needs and the nature of work.

Examples include bi-annual or quarterly Town Halls, critical business meetings or other work events. 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.

More about FAD :

Within and across the University, we aim to be exemplary colleagues, trusted partners, valued advisors, and agents of positive change.

Within our own community, we aspire to :

• 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.

Basic Qualifications :

• Master’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 10 years’ relevant work experience
• Advanced knowledge of sponsored research regulations
• Supervisory experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills :

• Ability to;
• manage long-term projects over an extended time period
• conceptualize, write, and elucidate regulations and policies
• 5+ years progressive management experience in a complex academic environment
• Supervisory experience with prior experience managing performance and goals
• Experience;
• developing F&A proposals or comparable costing calculations
• with interpreting and applying complex governmental regulations and policies
• with financial analytical software, on-line financial systems, and use of various complex software programs
• Highly developed accounting and financial analysis skills
• Well-developed and effective written and oral communication and presentation skills required for persuasive presentations, public speaking, negotiations and formal and informal education and training
• Advance analytic skills necessary for creating reports and analyzing complex data
• Expertise in project management including long-term, multi-dimensional tasks
• Negotiation skills and experience preferred

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