Graduate Programs Funding and Operations Team Manager

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

14d • Hybrid

About The Position

Leads the FAS graduate student appointments function within GSAS, managing the Science Division Appointments team responsible for graduate student financial aid coordination including processing Teaching Fellow (TF) and Research Assistant (RA) appointments across the Science Division, while also processing RA appointments for some Arts & Humanities (A&H) and the Social Sciences DOSS programs. Serves as the primary point of accountability for appointments quality, consistency, and compliance across the full team.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Proficiency with HRIS and student information systems (Aurora or equivalent)
• Familiarity with federal sponsored programs and grant management.
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop staff
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet recurring deadlines, and escalate issues appropriately
• Experience with process improvement and operational documentation
• Customer-service orientation and clear written communication

Responsibilities

• Design and lead the RA appointment process for graduate students in FAS-based programs, ensuring compliance with regulatory appointment rules and internal Harvard financial support and academic policies.
• Work in coordination with GSAS Academic Programs and Financial Aid to ensure compliance with GSAS academic rules, financial aid, and university policy.
• Directly manage, coach, and develop the Science Division Appointments team across assigned program groupings.
• Working with leadership of the Science Division and faculty leadership of Science Division departments, ensure seamless flow of information between departments and Graduate Student Financial Aid and Appointments Specialists, including program rules, academic milestones, and local, GSAS, and University policies.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with partner offices such as Harvard International Office, Office of Sponsored Research, Office of Labor and Employee Relations, Human Resources, Office of General Counsel, and others.
• Enforce quality control standards across all Science Division Appointments team members, ensuring appointments are processed accurately, consistently, and in compliance with university policy.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex or sensitive appointment issues, triage issues, and oversee implementation of resolution.
• Cultivate expertise in graduate student RA appointments for A&H and DOSS programs that opt-in to receive support and ensuring proper processing of RA appointments.
• Oversee the accurate disbursement of more than $80M across 1,000+ graduate students for graduate students enrolled in FAS-based graduate programs.
• Directs the development, maintenance, and improvement of appointment processing procedures, documentation standards, and training materials for the team.
• Maintain accurate personnel records and appointment data within Aurora and departmental systems.
• Collaborate with and serve as overflow support for the GSAS Financial Aid team, ensuring alignment on graduate student funding, awards, and appointment processing.

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: Manager