Finance Director | Harvard University Law School
Harvard University Law School
Location
Cambridge, MA | United States
Job description
Position Description
The Finance Director is responsible for directing the financial analyses and processes to prepare annual budgets, mid-year forecasts, multi-year financial plans, and monthly, quarterly and year-end management reporting and analysis. The Director leads the Finance team, serves as a key contributor to analyze the ongoing financial performance of the Berkman Klein Center (BKC) and its Institutes and projects, and provides excellent financial stewardship of BKC's funds (endowment, gifts, grants) working to ensure financial sustainability.
The Director presents analytics, financial data, and recommendations to senior Berkman Klein Center leadership to facilitate strategic financial decision making, develop business plans, and effectively manage a sustainable and growing organization. This role identifies and evaluates policies and procedures and contributes to implementing structures and processes that improve operational capacity and financial literacy across the Center.
The Director also works closely with the Harvard Law School (HLS) Finance Office and other Harvard colleagues to ensure that all parties are aware of key financial issues.
As Finance Director you will:
- Be responsible for effective management for a team of staff, including hiring and orientation, training and development, workflow and performance management, and the promotion of an inclusive and innovative work environment.
- Serve as a leader and full partner in major decisions, advising senior and departmental leadership on key initiatives, business models, and strategic directions.
- Develop and implement strategies for: budgeting; forecasting, modeling & projecting; identifying & explaining variances; financial reporting; expense reductions; cost containment; and revenue enhancements.
- Develop and maintain forecasting model for operating budgets, develop long-range financial forecast, and operating performance targets.
- Direct the annual budget process within BKC, in collaboration with HLS Finance, including establishing and communicating the budget process to BKC unit managers, overseeing the coordination of annual budget meetings and compilation of budget requests, formulating recommendations to present data strategically and clearly to BKC and HLS Finance team leadership, drafting annual budget narrative, and submitting the budget to HLS Finance.
- Partner with finance leadership on multi-year financial plans.
- Perform strategic and quantitative financial analysis for the Center, its programs and Institutes, including supporting exploration of new initiatives.
- Identify opportunities and champion continuous improvement in support of internal controls and financial reporting processes.
- Serve as a liaison to HLS Finance team.
- Collaborate with research program colleagues across HLS and Harvard University.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required
- A minimum of 7 years relevant work experience
- Supervisory experience
Additional Qualifications and Skills
We are looking for people who have/are:
- Success in managing multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
- BA or Master's degree in relevant field.
- Knowledge of advanced financial operations principles
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills.
- Advanced knowledge of budget management, financial analysis and financial modeling; working knowledge of accounting principles.
- Demonstrated experience with financial systems and data query tools.
- Proactive, highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Working Conditions
Based on the changing needs of the organization, the Finance Director may be called upon for other tasks at short notice. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.
Additional Information
This is a term appointment currently expected to extend through 6/30/25, with potential for renewal subject to funding and departmental need.
We regret that Harvard Law School is unable to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions.
All offers to be made by HLS Human Resources.
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