Senior Grants and Contracts Officer

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Financial Administration (FAD) is dedicated to advancing Harvard University’s teaching and research mission by stewarding its resources; providing support, guidance, and consultation; ensuring compliance with university and federal guidelines; mitigating risk; pursuing operational excellence; and promoting the financial health of the University. 

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.

As a member of the Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP) Pre-Award Team and its Grants and Contracts Officer Team, the Senior Grants and Contracts Officer (GCO) leads the negotiation of sponsored awards with federal, foundation, industry, foreign, and other sponsors, the review and negotiation of data use agreements, and coordinates the drafting, negotiation, and review of subcontract agreements within a given portfolio.

Job Specific Responsibilities:

Typical Duties Include:

This full-time position reports to the Senior Manager, Grants and Contracts Officer Team.  

The GCO responsibilities include: 

• Independently review, draft, and negotiate complex research related agreements. 
• Liaising with sponsors, school/department administrators, and Principal Investigators as needed, and provides high-level customer service to each party.  
• Partnering with the Office of Technology Development, Office of the General Counsel, Risk Management and Audit Services, and the Office of the Vice Provost for Research to ensure compliance with external and internal policies.  
• Executing outgoing subcontracts and modifications to existing agreements on behalf of the University, and other agreements on an as needed basis. 
• Other duties as required. 

Working Conditions:

• Primarily remote working conditions. 

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. (https://finance.harvard.edu/)

Basic Qualifications:

Basic Qualifications are the minimum threshold a candidate must meet in order to be considered for this role.

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of seven years of experience in a sponsored research, compliance, agreement negotiation, or related regulatory environment. 

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

The following qualifications are strongly preferred. If you meet some, but not all, you are still encouraged to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn. 

• Advanced degree or graduate certificate in law, research administration, or regulatory compliance may count toward experience.  
• University sponsored research experience, including familiarity with the FAR, is a plus.  
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.  
• Strong negotiation skills, tact, and diplomacy. 
• Proven ability in collaborative problem-solving. Demonstrated comfort in working in fast-paced, multiple-deadline driven environment.  
• Training experience is helpful, as well as an interest in mentoring others. 
• Demonstrated ability to work individually or within a team and to think creatively and provide sound advice. 
• High level of confidence and willingness to accept high level responsibilities is required. 
• Should have broad academic interests and the ability to think critically about programmatic, financial, and policy issues.  
• Academic administration experience a plus.

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
  • This is a hybrid position with limited requirements to be onsite. Details to be reviewed during the interview process.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information:
  • Please provide a cover letter & resume as one document with your application.
  • This position has a 90-day orientation and review period. 

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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 058. 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.