Associate Director of Financial Planning and Analysis

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

16h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) serves as a strategic finance leader for Harvard College Library. The role leads financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, multi-year financial planning, capital planning, fund management, and decision support across operating, endowment, and restricted funds. Reporting to the Senior Director of Financial Planning & Analysis, the Associate Director leads the Harvard College Library financial portfolio and supervises members of the FP&A team. The position works closely with library leadership, budget managers, Accounting, VPDR, FAS Finance, and other University stakeholders to provide financial guidance, strengthen stewardship, develop staff, improve business processes, and support decisions aligned with the Library’s mission and priorities.

The role leads the development, implementation, monitoring, and presentation of the Harvard College Library annual operating budget, quarterly forecasts, multi-year financial plan, capital planning, and related financial deliverables. It advises budget managers on budget development, forecasting, fund management, financial sustainability, and long-term resource planning, while overseeing fund utilization, FTE and position management, and analysis of financial risks and opportunities. The Associate Director also leads complex financial analyses, business cases, and special projects.

The position oversees financial planning and analysis for facilities and building operations, capital projects, space-related costs, infrastructure investments, and collections management. It develops financial models, dashboards, reporting tools, and analytical methods, and evaluates emerging technologies such as Generative AI and financial systems enhancements. The Associate Director builds cross-functional partnerships, represents FP&A on initiatives as assigned, and supports the continued development of the Harvard College Library finance organization.

The position is hybrid and sometimes requires on-site work in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Work location and schedule are set by the department based on operational needs and Harvard University policies. A 90-day orientation and review period applies, and pre-employment screening is required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience.
• Supervisory experience.
• Advanced knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and PowerPoint.
• Advanced knowledge and experience in budget management, financial analysis, and financial modeling; working knowledge of accounting principles.
• Advanced knowledge and experience with financial systems and data query tools.
• Ability to work in an ambiguous environment, define objectives, set tasks, build relationships, and achieve outcomes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to work within a large and complex organization, build strong relationships, and provide services and information to meet constituents’ needs.
• Collaborative working style with consultative, project management, problem-solving, and presentation skills.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge and experience with Harvard financial administrative systems such as HUBS, SmartView, Oracle, CAPS, CPATH, and PeopleSoft.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, mentor, coach, and develop FP&A staff; provide technical guidance, set priorities, manage workloads, review work, and support professional growth.
• Foster a collaborative, customer-focused, high-performing team culture that promotes accountability, continuous improvement, innovation, and client service.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management, and succession planning.
• Establish and improve FP&A documentation, shared file structures, workflow standards, internal controls, and business continuity plans.
• Lead development, implementation, monitoring, and presentation of the annual operating budget, quarterly forecasts, multi-year financial plan, capital planning, and related financial deliverables.
• Serve as the primary FP&A advisor to Harvard College Library budget managers on budget development, forecasting, fund management, financial sustainability, and long-term resource planning.
• Monitor, analyze, and advise on major funding sources and financial activity, including University charges, endowment income, FAS, PDF and other subventions, other tub income transfers, central assessments, income credits and debits, gifts, and other revenue sources.
• Lead fund utilization and optimization strategies, including evaluating unrestricted and restricted fund balances, reserve planning, and spending trends while ensuring compliance with University and FAS policies and donor intent.
• Oversee FTE and position management by monitoring staffing plans, salary budgets, vacancies, workforce projections, and organizational changes.
• Identify financial risks and opportunities through variance and trend analysis, scenario modeling, and long-range forecasting; recommend strategies for financial sustainability and operational effectiveness.
• Lead complex financial analyses, business cases, and special projects to support evaluation of strategic initiatives, operational alternatives, and resource allocation decisions.
• Lead financial planning and analysis for facilities and building operations budgets, building reserves, capital projects, space-related costs, and infrastructure investments.
• Provide financial planning and analysis for collections management, including budget development, spending analysis, fund utilization, and long-term sustainability.
• Develop and implement financial models, dashboards, reporting tools, and analytical methodologies to improve forecasting, operational efficiency, and executive decision support.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, including Generative AI and financial systems enhancements, for opportunities to improve reporting, workflow automation, analytical capabilities, and administrative efficiency.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with Accounting, Library Administration, Library Building Operations, VPDR, FAS Finance, Human Resources, University financial offices, budget managers, and other stakeholders.
• Partner with library leadership to provide consultative financial guidance aligned with strategic priorities and informed decision-making.
• Represent FP&A on cross-functional initiatives, strategic projects, and FAS and University-wide financial planning efforts as assigned.
• Support the integration and advancement of Harvard College Library finance through collaboration, process improvement, and shared best practices.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off, including parental leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior