Careers

Position Description

Project Zero (PZ) is a research center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, founded in 1967 to study and improve education in the arts. Project Zero has maintained a strong research agenda in the arts while gradually expanding to include investigations into the nature of intelligence, understanding, thinking, creativity, cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural thinking, and ethics. Today, PZ consists of 16 Principal Investigators (PIs) working nationally and internationally in a variety of settings, including schools, businesses, cultural organizations, and online. In addition, PZ offers symposia and workshops, most notably the annual summer institutes, professional education programs, and online courses. The center has 50 staff members working on 25 active research projects running at any given time.

Reporting to the Co-Directors of Project Zero, the Director of Administration is responsible for the following:

Financial Management: (70%)

• Advise the Director in setting strategic financial planning, fundraising, and administrative objectives for Project Zero. Serve as a member of the Leadership Team and sit on the Executive Committee.
• Develop and maintain a financial model for PZ to project income from PZ's grants, gifts, and revenue-generating activities and expenses across 25 projects and the center as a whole.
• Provide oversight of all aspects of the Center's finances including management of an $8.5M annual budget, payroll administration, pre- and post-award activities for sponsored and gift agreements; developing proposal-specific and Center-wide budgets; and maintaining current financial forecasts and cash-flow analyses.
• Ensure PZ meets its financial goals, including covering the balance of trade with HGSE and Core PZ administrative costs.
• Oversee PZ's compliance with all University and School financial policies and procedures.

Human Resources: (20%)

• Provide strategic planning and oversight of new positions and staffing changes.
• Identify professional development needs of staff, including Principal Investigators. Make recommendations for reclassification.
• Mentor PIs on the financial and administrative responsibilities (helping them understand Sponsor funds and Harvard policies).
• Identify personnel issues and work with PIs, staff, and Human Resources to address concerns.

Operations: (10%)

• Plan for the space needs of an ever-changing portfolio of research projects.
• Work with the Director to identify and address the strategic information technology needs of the center, including data security needs.
• Develop and manage a team of Core Staff to provide office operations and administrative support to the Director, Principal Investigators, staff, and students who work at Project Zero.

The position is grant-funded through 6/30/25, with likelihood of continuation.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 8 years' relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Bachelor's degree with eight or more years of progressively responsible experience at a senior level covering a broad range of financial and administrative activities that includes strategic financial planning; experience developing and managing budgets.

Master's degree preferred; experience working in a finance role in a university or other non-profit setting; and familiarity with the financial and programmatic requirements and practices of major foundations including gifts and grants. high level of proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office programs, especially MS Excel; strong interpersonal skills including demonstrated supervisory experience; and strong oral and written communications skills.

Any candidate wishing to be considered must supply a cover letter in addition to their resume showing that they meet the required basic qualifications.

Working Conditions

HGSE is currently developing dynamic workplace models which will actively support a combination of on-campus and remote work (within a state in which Harvard is registered to do business) where business and operational needs allow. You and your manager will discuss the best schedule based on your role and operational need. If your role allows for remote work, please note that all remote work must be performed within a state in which Harvard is registered to do business (CA (Only Exempt), CT, GA, IL, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VA, VT, and WA). Please also note that Harvard will withhold each applicable state's required tax and other withholdings from your paycheck for the time you work there.

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.

We regret that the Harvard Graduate School of Education does not provide Visa sponsorship

Additional Information

HGSE is a diverse community of learners, teachers, and employees who are passionate about changing the world through education and striving for maximum impact in the field of education.
HGSE Human Resources values diversity in all forms and believes that each employee brings a set of diverse experiences and identities to the workplace that makes us stronger, encourages innovation, and enhances our collective contributions. We continue to develop and support a workforce that reflects the diversity of those we serve; fosters an environment that allows everyone to belong and to bring their best self to work; and creates the conditions that empower employees to contribute their full potential to advancing the work of the school.
We do this by:

• Hiring and retaining staff reflecting the diversity of those we serve
• Providing employees opportunities to learn, grow, and be challenged
• Reviewing and ensuring fairness and equity in HR practices and policies including but not limited to hiring, promotion, and compensation
• Developing strong relationships and partnerships internal and external to our community to advance diversity and inclusion
• Communicating transparently and respectfully; and
• Fostering an inclusive, respectful, and professional work environment

About the Harvard Graduate School of Education

Many choose to work at the Harvard Graduate School of Education because they believe in our mission and are excited by our vision for the future. We have a reputation as a great place to work, for our excellent leadership, and we are a strong community that values diversity. For more information about HGSE, its programs, research, and faculty, please visit: www.gse.harvard.edu

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website 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 University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

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.

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