Assistant Director, Sponsored Research

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Why join Harvard Business School?

Harvard Business School, located on a 40-acre campus in Boston, was founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University. It is among the world's most trusted sources of management education and thought leadership. For more than a century, the School's faculty has combined a passion for teaching with rigorous research conducted alongside practitioners at world-leading organizations to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. Through a dynamic ecosystem of research, learning, and entrepreneurship that includes MBA, Doctoral, Executive Education, and Online programs, as well as numerous initiatives, centers, institutes, and labs, Harvard Business School fosters bold new ideas and collaborative learning networks that shape the future of business.

Division of Research and Faculty Development

The mission of Harvard Business School (HBS) is to educate leaders who make a difference in the world.  Within HBS, the DRFD helps to build and develop the faculty and facilitates the creation of enduring knowledge that shapes both business scholarship and the practice of business by providing unparalleled faculty support.  The School’s largest administrative department, the DRFD houses approximately 350 full-time and part-time staff members.  As a premier service organization, and in collaboration with colleagues across the School, the DRFD staff delivers high-touch, customized support to the faculty, demonstrating solid judgment and high standards of responsiveness and professionalism.

The Assistant Director of Sponsored Research Administration is a member of a cross-functional team supporting a wide range of research programs and activities for the HBS faculty and its governance. Reporting to the Director, Research Funding, and working closely with members of the Research Administration team, HBS faculty, and administrative partners at HBS, the Assistant Director will be responsible for launching an internal sponsored research program and leading the administrative infrastructure for sponsored research support for the research community at HBS. The Assistant Director’s primary responsibilities include: 1) providing expert guidance, dissemination, support, and training across all areas of sponsored research; 2) developing and managing processes and procedures related to sponsored research for the HBS community (including but not limited to faculty, doctoral students, administrators, and staff); and 3) providing support to the HBS and DRFD leadership.

The Assistant Director provides a broad range of funder, pre-award, and post-award process expertise and support to HBS faculty and researchers engaged in sponsored research and to other staff working to support research initiatives and projects throughout the School.  Specific responsibilities include:

Sponsored Research Support

• Manages the day-to-day operations of HBS sponsored research administration, including the school-level review and approval process, and associated information collection and reporting, for all externally funded grant and contract proposals.
• Working with the Director and partners across HBS, develops policies, procedures and protocols for the creation of a sponsored research program at HBS, adhering to all applicable federal, state and Harvard University regulations, and provides appropriate communication, training and implementation of said policies.  Identifies risks, solutions and strategies to continuously improve operations including procurement, vendor setup, travel/reimbursements, etc. as they relate to sponsored research, and clarifies roles/responsibilities between offices.
• Provides guidance to HBS faculty and staff on all aspects of sponsored programs administration and related policies, and on the boundaries between, and differing policy implications of sponsored research, gifts, and philanthropy. Develops communication plans regarding sponsored research policies, procedures and protocols for HBS research community.
• Works closely with the Digital, Data and Design Institute (D3) on grant opportunities and supports activities related to grant identification, proposal preparation, budget development and all other activities related to pre-and post-award support.
• Together with the Director, collaborates with HBS Financial Office, the Harvard University Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP), Office of Technology Development, Office of the General Counsel, Provost, and the University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB), along with other DRFD stakeholders on sponsored program proposal reviews and approvals to ensure compliance with HBS, University, and external sponsor policies and regulations.  Serves as a central liaison, fostering transparency and collaboration within the HBS and University research communities.
• May serve as the HBS representative on various HBS and University committees and working groups supporting sponsored research activities.
• Provides advice regarding administrative and financial aspects of proposals, budgets, budget justification, subcontracting, indirect cost rates, fringe rates, etc., to researchers.
• Supports the preparation, coordination, and review of proposal elements (e.g. biographical sketches, current and pending support, historical data, facilities & resources, etc.) for consistency, accuracy, and completeness.
• Develops systems to track grant submissions, awards, and other metrics. Compiles and delivers reports and updates for HBS leadership.
• Together with the Director, designs and delivers training programs for faculty, researchers, and staff to promote understanding of sponsored research processes, compliance requirements, and effective system utilization.
• Supports coordination of subcontracts and subawards associated with sponsored funding.
• This role is responsible for other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required. 
• Master’s degree, or equivalent work experience required. 
• A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible and relevant experience, including the development and implementation of administrative policies, regulations, and procedures related to sponsored research.
• Experience with federal and non-federal grants management policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated knowledge of research compliance domains, including the protection of human subjects in research, export controls, conflict of interest policies, and international research risk management.
• Experience should include evidence of strong project management skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, strong attention to detail, and ability to work collaboratively across teams and units with faculty and staff throughout an organization.
• Experience working within a complex academic or research environment culture and the related expectations and norms.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Strategic thinker with the ability to manage multiple projects and initiatives, both collaboratively and independently.
• Collaborative, creative problem-solver, excellent team player with maturity, judgment and diplomacy, comfort with ambiguity and changing priorities.
• An understanding of and ability to manage confidential information.
• The ability to communicate with a diverse group of people with sensitivity.
• A strong customer service orientation with experience exercising diplomacy with high profile clients.
• Takes initiative and ownership of work, following through to completion and executing with an appropriate sense of urgency.

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal 
• Other Information: This is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of remote and onsite work at our Boston, MA based campus. HBS expects all staff to be onsite a minimum of 3 days per week and departments provide onsite coverage Monday – Friday. Specific hours and days onsite will be determined by business needs and are subject to change with appropriate advanced notice.
  
  We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role.
  
  A cover letter is required to be considered for this opportunity.

Work Format Details

This is a position that is based at a Harvard campus location with some remote work options available. 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. 

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 057. 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, sex, ethnicity, color, national origin, 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.