Associate Director of Financial Planning and Analysis

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

14d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) is 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 FP&A team members.

The Associate Director partners with library leadership, budget managers, Accounting, VPDR, FAS Finance, and other University stakeholders to provide strategic financial guidance, strengthen financial stewardship, develop staff, improve business processes, and support informed decision-making that advances the Library’s mission and institutional priorities. The role also leads financial planning for facilities and collections, develops analytical tools and models, and contributes to cross-functional initiatives and special projects.

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 policies. The position has a 90-day orientation and review period, 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 and ability to work effectively within a large, complex organization, build strong relationships, and provide services and information to meet constituent needs.
• Collaborative working style with consultative, project management, problem-solving, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and antiracism.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge and experience with Harvard financial administrative systems, including 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 products, and support professional growth.
• Foster a collaborative, customer-focused, high-performing team culture centered on 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.
• In partnership with the Senior Director, lead 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.
• 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, assessing unrestricted and restricted fund balances, reserves, and spending trends while ensuring compliance with University and FAS policies and donor intent.
• Oversee FTE and position management, including 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 to promote financial sustainability and operational effectiveness.
• Lead complex financial analyses, business cases, and special projects that support evaluation of strategic initiatives, operational alternatives, and resource allocation.
• 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 financial 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 potential improvements to 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 align operational planning with strategic priorities and support informed decision-making.
• Represent FP&A on cross-functional initiatives, strategic projects, and FAS and University-wide financial planning efforts as assigned.
• Support integration and advancement of the Harvard College Library finance organization through collaboration, process improvement, and shared best practices.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned in support of the Harvard College Library Finance organization.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

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