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Senior Operations Manager
Harvard University Kennedy School
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Senior Operations Manager

Harvard University Kennedy School

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Details
Posted:
August 8, 2024
Location:
USA - MA - Cambridge
Salary:
Open
Type:
Full-time

Job Summary

The Senior Operations Manager for The People Lab will work closely with a diverse team of scholars who are passionate about conducting collaborative, applied, data-driven research on key priorities in government. This position will be tasked with managing and executing the core administrative and financial operations required for The People Lab to run effectively and to scale.

About the People Lab
The People Lab, led by Professor Elizabeth Linos, aims to empower the public sector by producing cutting-edge research on the people of government and the communities they are called to serve. Using evidence from public management and insights from behavioral science, we study, design, and test strategies that can solve urgent public sector challenges in three core areas:
  • Strengthening the government workforce ? how to recruit, retain and support diverse talent in the public sector that can effectively and equitably respond to the changing needs of residents.
  • Improving resident-government interactions ? how to reduce barriers to equitable access to government services, mitigate the burdens that residents face when they interact with their government, and increase trust and satisfaction through such interactions.
  • Reimagining evidence-based policymaking ? how to better include excluded voices in the design, implementation and evaluation of government innovations, and support the equitable adoption of best practice at scale.
Position Responsibilities
The Senior Operations Manager will report to the Executive Director and will fulfill critical financial, budgeting, operational, and administrative functions for The People Lab (TPL). The role requires the ability to proactively identify and act on strategic needs and opportunities, while also executing recurring tasks effectively and adapting to additional requests as needed, often with tight deadlines. The position involves working independently and as part of a team, and requires excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, and business acumen. This role will support the management and oversight of a multi-million-dollar annual budget and will manage multiple cross-institutional relationships between TPL, the Center in which we are housed, and central campus staff and offices.

Position Description

Finance
  • Independently approve and implement financial transactions for The People Lab. Financial transactions include invoices, reimbursements, credit card expense reports, and other accounts payable and receivables using Harvard's online systems.
  • Perform monthly financial analysis to be reviewed during monthly budget meetings with leadership including reviewing and reconciling budget to actuals, summarizing TPL?s financials, and highlighting adjustments and variances.
  • Collaborate with the Executive Director on the annual budget planning process including developing, tracking, forecasting, and administering the budget and grants.
  • Develop and maintain planning model to support spending projections and Lab financial and personnel planning.
  • Serve as a resource on university fiscal policies and procedures, serve as a liaison between TPL and Center and HKS finance teams, and advise faculty, staff, fellows, and students on existing options or alternatives.
Sponsored Research Administration:
  • Implement all pre- and post-award aspects of TPL?s sponsored research portfolio, working closely with TPL?s Executive Director and the Research Administration Office (RAO) throughout the lifecycle of a sponsored award.
  • Review new awards and work with OSP to set up sponsored accounts; monitor expenditures to ensure compliance with sponsor award guidelines; review award balances and reconcile accounts on a regular basis; consult with the Executive Director on projected spending rates; confirm and manage personnel allocations with Executive Director, update costing and process journals, as necessary; consult with the Executive Director, the research team, and the RAO on various post-award and research compliance considerations, including reporting.
Human Resources
  • Manage TPL?s hires and extensions which include advising leadership on hiring procedures for fellows, students, full-time staff, and LHTs; completing and submitting required forms in the HR workflows; coordinating I9 process and if applicable visa sponsorship.
  • Process hiring and other personnel financial transactions, including extending or reallocating staff appointments across multiple grants and funding sources.
  • Collaborate with the Executive Director on employee engagement opportunities including supporting and enhancing the recruitment, selection/approval, onboarding, and exit processes for staff and fellows and planning staff retreats and bonding opportunities.
  • Communicate HR programs and requirements including overseeing operational aspects of performance management and goals process, performance improvement plans, salary and title adjustments, etc.
Development
  • This position will play a pivotal role in expanding our fundraising capabilities by identifying potential donors, supporting the ED in developing innovative strategies to build a robust donor pipeline, and contributing to the success of our development goals.
  • Contribute to the preparation of fundraising collateral as needed.
Administration and Operations
  • Oversee TPL?s operations related to information technology and facilities management including procurement of technology for staff, work station set-ups, space needs for staff, development and implementation of office processes and policies, management of TPL?s subscriptions, etc.
  • Work with TPL?s Faculty Executive Assistant and Faculty Program manager to identify and improve communications processes as needed including things like systems to track social media strategy, policy brief drafting and design, blogs and media coverage; plan and implement events that support team connection including biannual team retreat.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor?s degree and at least 4 years of relevant work experience. An advanced degree (e.g., MBA, finance) will count toward experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

  • Exceptional organizational and project management capabilities, with a demonstrated ability to work independently and as a part of a team, manage multiple assignments simultaneously, and effectively prioritize time and tasks while adapting to changing needs and priorities.
  • Proven ability to handle sensitive data with discretion and manage multiple tasks while maintaining an exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Creative thinking and problem solving, with interest and ability to identify and implement opportunities for operational efficiencies, introduce innovative ideas to the team, and learn and implement new financial tools.
  • Clear comfort and capacity to deliver on both strategy and implementation.
  • Excellent organizational, communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently manage regular and unexpected deadlines and demonstrate initiative.
  • High level of maturity and empathy with outstanding interpersonal and customer service skills.
  • Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and stakeholders.
  • Exceptional thoroughness, accuracy, and agility with financial data, including demonstrated strong accounting, budgeting, analytical, and management skills needed.
  • Experience with higher education financial and administration software and procedures desirable.

Additional Information

This position is a fully benefits-eligible term appointment ending one year from date of hire, with possibility of renewal.

Learn more about our work culture and see yourself at Harvard Kennedy School.
We regret that the Harvard Kennedy School does not provide visa sponsorship.
Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background checks.
Harvard University is committed to supporting a healthy, sustainable learning and working environment.

This is a hybrid position based on our campus in Cambridge, MA. As a campus-based institution, we place a high value on the in-person experience, cross-team collaboration, and strong community building in order to create a vibrant campus for our students, faculty, staff, and research fellows. The position is required to work in-person on campus a minimum of three days per week during the academic year. Specific days and schedule will be determined between you and your manager. 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.

Salary Range: $76,400 - $130,000
Note: Starting salaries typically fall in the lower half of the salary range; however, they are ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidate's relevant experience, and internal equity.

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

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)


Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard Kennedy School?s Mission and Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism

At Harvard Kennedy School, fostering a diverse and inclusive community where everyone feels they belong is a matter of basic fairness consistent with our core values as an institution. It is also essential to our mission of improving public policy and leadership?because recruiting the best people and creating an environment where they can thrive make us better at what we do, because we learn more from people with different perspectives, and because we work in diverse groups and serve diverse societies. Learn more about Harvard Kennedy School?s commitment to Diversity Equity, and Anti-Racism.

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.

Internal Number: 66579BR
About Harvard University Kennedy School
Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference globally. The University, which is based in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, has an enrollment of over 20,000 degree candidates, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Harvard has more than 360,000 alumni around the world. The University has twelve degree-granting Schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, offering a truly global education. Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.
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