Careers
Posted: 13-Dec-22
Location: USA - MA - Cambridge
Type: Full-time
Salary: Open
Internal Number: 60918BR
The Kempner Institute for the Study of Natural and Artificial Intelligence at Harvard University seeks to better understand the basis of intelligence in natural and artificial systems. Its bold premise is that the two fields are intimately interconnected: the next generation of artificial intelligence requires using principles that our brains use for fast, flexible natural reasoning, and understanding how our brains compute and reason requires theories developed for AI. The Kempner Institute will recruit and train future generations of researchers to study intelligence from biological, cognitive, engineering, and computational perspectives. The institute will also support large scale computational approaches to study both the artificial and natural basis of intelligence.
Facilitate diverse financial operations and provide day-to-day financial management, planning, analysis and reporting.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Assistant Director for Finance has sole responsibility to support and facilitate the Kempner Institute's financial management and operations.
As part of the Institute's leadership team and one of the Institute's first employees, the Assistant Director for Finance must be flexible and entrepreneurial. They will be responsible for helping to develop and then operationalize financial processes and guidelines that the Kempner Institute will use to advance its research and education mission. This person will serve as the senior financial officer, managing both day-to-day and long-term financial operations.
Responsibilities include:
Leadership:
- Serve as a subject matter expert on financial questions, provide guidance to the leadership team to ensure prudent fiscal management and alignment with the long-term goals and objectives of the Kempner Institute.
- Develop, and implement systems for: budgeting, including financial modeling; identifying & explaining variances; and financial reporting.
- Serve as the liaison between the Kempner Institute and Faculty, Departments, Schools and Provost's office with respect to Kempner funded activities and awards.
- Supervise Financial Assistant.
Financial Operations:
- Prepare and administer all pieces of the Kempner Institute annual and multi-year budget, including analysis of costs and revenues, and oversee the year-end closing process.
- Manage day-to-day financial and accounting activities including monitoring corporate card usage, payments to vendors, processing reimbursements, and journal entries among others.
- Ensure that all financial activities are timely, accurate, and compliant with funding guidelines, and University policies and procedures.
- Manage the accounting for all inter-institutional awards and payments, ensuring compliance with donor guidelines.
- Identify and resolve transaction classification issues to ensure proper alignment with chart of accounts and accurate reporting.
- Provide financial information for fundraising and sponsored research grant proposals as requested.
- Provide quarterly reports to ensure accuracy of financial data and budget utilization.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required
- A minimum of 7 years relevant work experience
- Supervisory experience
Additional Qualifications and Skills
- Masters degree preferred
- Experience in a non-profit setting with pre- and post-award research management strongly preferred.
- Advanced knowledge of budget management and reporting, financial analysis, and financial modeling; working knowledge of accounting principles.
- Experience with Harvard systems, Chart of Accounts, and policies preferred.
Working Conditions
- Work is performed in an office setting
Additional Information
Please note hybrid workers must reside in a state where Harvard is registered to do business (CA, CT, GA, IL, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VA, VT, and WA).
Harvard University continues to place the highest priority on the health, safety and wellbeing of its faculty, staff, and students, as well as the wider community. Please note that all new employees will be required to provide confirmation of primary series COVID-19 vaccination upon hire, as detailed on our COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement Webpage. Harvard University Health Services employees and other health care individuals are also required to be up to date on vaccination as described by the CDC. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. Additional information regarding this requirement, exemptions, verification of vaccination status, and other related policies and resources may be found on the University's COVID-19 Information Website.
Salary Grade: 058
Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
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, or any other characteristic protected by law.
