Finance Business Partner

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

59d • Hybrid

About The Position

HUIT (Harvard University Information Technology) Finance is seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Financial Analyst with experience in budgets, financial modeling and multi-year project management to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will act as a key liaison between Finance and other business units, providing financial insights, analysis, and support to drive informed decision-making. They will play a crucial role in overseeing financial aspects related to operating and sponsored billing projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience
• Strong financial analysis, modeling, and forecasting skills.
• Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy in financial reporting.
• Knowledge of sponsored-billing regulations, accounting principles, and financial reporting.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with stakeholders.
• Ability to translate financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Drive the creation and execution of annual budgets, forecasts, and long-term financial plans in coordination with the Director.
• Assist in the development and implementation of strategies for budgeting; forecasting, modeling & projecting; identifying & explaining variances; financial reporting; internal controls; expense reductions; cost containment; and revenue enhancements.
• Develop and provide actionable, strategic recommendations to address challenges within budgets.
• Provide independent viewpoints and special analysis related to budgeting and forecasting.
• Partner with Director and Finance leadership on multi-year financial plans and capital budgeting process.
• Support financial compliance with university policies and procedures and applicable legal rules and regulations.
• Assist in the development and implementation of rate models to evaluate the financial feasibility, risks and cost structures, and other relevant factors to establish accurate pricing models.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including service owners, VMO team and budget owners to develop rate modeling guide.
• Serve as one of the lead analysts for emerging cost models within HUIT and provide guidance to service owners.
• Collaborate with multiple business units to develop and review budgets, forecasts, and financial plans.
• Develop complex and sophisticated financial models to analyze current scenarios, project future financial picture and report on actual performance against budget and forecast.
• Contribute to the development of financial tools and dashboards to enhance decision support.
• Prepare accurate and timely financial reports, highlighting budget variances, expenditures, and performance against key financial metrics.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive database and reporting tools.
• Generate reports and visualizations to communicate insights to stakeholders.
• Ensure data accuracy, integrity, and security.
• Partner with business partners to understand their objectives and challenges, offering financial guidance to support strategic decision-making.
• Identify opportunities and champion major initiatives for continuous improvement in support of internal controls and financial reporting processes.
• Act as a trusted advisor to business leaders, fostering strong relationships.
• Support business owners to develop annual budgets and long-term financial plans, provide analysis and insights to support strategic planning and advise on financial implications of operational decisions to optimize financial outcomes.
• Collaborate with systems and various financial partners in the development of future financial reporting.
• Support Director in the development of all HUIT project proposals.
• Continuously evaluate and enhance existing tools to meet evolving business needs.
• Work closely with service owners, FP&A Department and various financial partners to understand their financial and reporting needs.
• Recommend and identify process opportunities and automation solutions to improve financial reporting efficiency and accuracy.
• Support streamline of workflows and enhance productivity.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to identify areas for financial improvement.
• Foster a collaborative, supportive and results-oriented culture and promote an inclusive and innovative work environment.
• Serve as consultant to senior leaders on key strategic finance questions.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements within the FP&A department, implementing best practices to enhance efficiency.

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: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree