Senior Director of Finance

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

6h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director of Finance is a member of VPAL’s senior leadership team and is responsible for the organization’s financial health, planning, and management. Reporting to the Managing Director, this role provides financial projections, oversees accounting services, budgets, and financial reports, and directs staff. The Senior Director works cross-functionally with leadership to develop annual financial plans aligned with strategic objectives, establish reliable projections, define and communicate benchmarks, support financial review meetings, and contribute to ad hoc projects.

The role oversees the accounting and financial systems and processes for a new university-wide catalog, registration, and payment system (CRP), which supports VPAL’s online learning delivery platforms as an e-commerce, CRM, and administrative system. It also leads financial planning and operations for VPAL and Harvard’s online learning portfolio, including courses sold through multiple platforms and channels. The position is hybrid, with the work schedule and location set by the department based on operational needs.

Requirements

• MBA, master’s degree, or equivalent work experience.
• At least 10 years of relevant work experience.
• Supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Advanced knowledge of budget management, financial analysis, and financial modeling; working knowledge of accounting principles.
• Demonstrated experience with financial systems and data query tools.
• Experience in financial management roles with analytical responsibilities.
• People-management experience and ability to mentor.
• Proficiency in building and analyzing financial statements.
• Experience leading complex workstreams and cross-functional efforts, such as an annual planning process.
• Strong writing, presentation, and communication skills, including the ability to convey complex ideas to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to contribute to organizational values, including respect and open-mindedness.

Nice To Haves

• Experience contributing to the design of enterprise systems supporting financial and accounting systems, such as Salesforce and Certinia.
• Experience with not-for-profit organizational management concepts or practical experience in a nonprofit setting.
• Experience with complex operations in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven experience with finance transformation and/or process re-engineering and improvement.

Responsibilities

• Manage staff, including hiring, orientation, training and development, workflow and performance management, and fostering an inclusive and innovative work environment.
• Oversee VPAL’s budget and accounting functions, stewarding VPAL’s and Harvard’s resources.
• Manage and improve forecasting, budget planning, accounting, performance reporting, and long-range planning for VPAL and Harvard’s online learning portfolio.
• Serve as the lead subject matter expert for designing finance and accounting systems and processes that support VPAL’s B2C and B2B business models.
• Work with the Managing Director and Vice Provost to inform VPAL’s strategic priorities and resource allocation decisions.
• Work with the Managing Director and heads of marketing and content to support the financial success of digital content, including pricing and product decisions.
• Analyze trends and translate their financial impact into strategy and execution plans.
• Develop financial models and metrics, prepare ad hoc financial and statistical analyses, and lead multi-year financial planning.
• Lead, develop, and coach the finance team, overseeing general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, budgeting, and procurement.
• Manage key financial and business operations metrics as part of VPAL’s strategic planning process.
• Analyze organizational financial drivers and present data in accessible formats for schools and other stakeholders.
• Build scenario models for business and financial drivers and evaluate potential new products.
• Support ad hoc projects and identify systems improvements to support growth.
• Develop and lead continuous-improvement initiatives for financial systems and processes.

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