Senior Grants and Contracts Manager

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health?

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is a world-renowned institution dedicated to advancing public health through cutting-edge research, education, and global collaboration. Our school is a special place to work because of its vibrant, mission-driven community, interdisciplinary approach, and commitment to addressing some of the most pressing health challenges worldwide. We foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment where innovation, continuous learning, and work-life balance are valued.

Learn more about the School’s mission, objectives, and core values, our Principles of Citizenship, and about the Dean’s AAA vision about our school’s ongoing strategic initiatives.

Job Summary:

The mission of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is to advance the public's health through learning, discovery and communication.  To pursue the mission, the school produces knowledge through research then translates this knowledge into evidence that can be communicated to the public, policymakers, and practitioners to advance the health of populations.

 The Office of Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) supports the school's mission by serving as a central resource for the research community through the provision of expertise and leadership in obtaining and managing research funds.  It acts as the institutional representative of the President and Fellows of Harvard College for the administration of sponsored projects for the school. SPA is comprised of research administrators that work in partnership with faculty to review and submit proposals for funding and to ensure that proposals and then awards conform and are managed according to sponsor guidelines and University policies. 

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

The Senior Grants and Contracts Manager will support innovative research at the world's leading public health research institution, primarily in the Department of Global Health & Population.  This department strives to advance global health and population studies and has long-standing and recognized research excellence in fields such as Maternal & Child Health; Nutrition; Decision Science; Behavioral Economics and Implementation Sciences; Population Bioethics, Humanitarian Studies and Human Rights; and Health Systems.

The Senior Grants and Contracts Manager is an integral part of the research enterprise and works in close partnership with faculty members. They are a primary resource for providing guidance and oversight on issues related to fiscal, administrative and regulatory management of a portfolio of grants, contracts and sponsored programs from award receipt through closeout. These grants are from a wide-range of sponsors including the federal government (e.g. NIH), foundations, industry, and international contracts from foreign entities. 

PLEASE NOTE: This is a post-award focused role but some pre-award responsibilities will be required.

• Post-award responsibilities include:
  • Creates budget reconciliation and forecasting reports, and uses these reports to meet regularly with faculty to review their financial situations.
  • Reviews and approves all expenditures
  • Ensures compliance with requirements such as effort reporting
  • Submits payroll changes for faculty and staff
  • Completes timely journal entries as necessary, grant close-outs, etc.
  • Performs other duties as assigned
• Pre-award responsibilities may include:
  • Provides policy guidance and assistance with all aspects of proposal development, administrative forms, sponsor-required certifications and representations, and compliance requirements
  • Develops appropriate budget
  • Works directly with the Principal Investigators & collaborators, and will interface with central administrative offices to ensure that the applications meet all university, school and sponsor requirements
  • Performs application submission, ensuring deadlines are met
  • Responds to sponsor requests and questions
  • Performs other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience, with 3+ years of those years in pre- and post-award management experience (both federal and non-federal), required; a combination of education and experience may be considered 

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

The following skills and competences are preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree, and/or Certified Research Administrator (CRA)
• Experience working with investigators on the management of complex research awards and working with a variety of sponsors   
• Intermediate Excel skills
• Advanced working knowledge of research compliance issues & of key federal grant regulations
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Excellent written and verbal skills
• Outstanding attention to detail
• Understanding of human subject use, animal use and other research compliance areas
• Problem solving skills and aptitude to be flexible required    

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity

Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country! 

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• The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions. 
• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings. 
• This position has a 90 day orientation and review period. The O&R period will be waived for any internal Harvard employee transfers. 

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The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines. 

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that the duties and responsibilities can effectively be performed fully remotely at a non-Harvard location. Employees in fully remote positions must work all scheduled hours in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. At the discretion of the department, fully remote employees may occasionally be required on site at a Harvard location. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 056. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• 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 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.