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The Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics invites applications for the position of Director of Administration.


Questions? Email Steph Dant.

Reporting to and working closely with the Center’s Faculty Director, the Director of Administration (DA), in collaboration with the Faculty and Research Directors, sets strategic objectives and allocates resources to support these objectives. The DA serves as the Center’s chief administrator, working closely with staff to oversee day-to-day operations. The DA serves as staff liaison to, and works closely with, related FAS and University offices, ensuring successful integration of Center processes with FAS requirements. Responsibilities: 

  • Manage all Center staff and oversee HR functions including recruitment, performance management, compensation, staff relations, time approval, and training and development. 
  • Work with FAS Finance to develop the Center’s budget. Oversee all financial activities including monitoring spending and fund balances, providing financial analysis and forecasting to the Director, and managing payroll, sponsored research activities, and gift funds.
  • Develop and implement services, policies, practices, and systems to increase organizational effectiveness and serve as a primary source of policy information for faculty, staff, and fellows; collaborate with the Division of Social Science to ensure that the Center’s administrative procedures are in line with its core mission, and FAS and university policies.
  • Determine needs and priorities for events services, space planning, IT services, Google apps account, and other shared operational resources.
  • Work with the Director, Research Director, and faculty committees on policy and planning matters and donor relations activities. Interpret and ensure compliance with major gift policies of both the University and funders (e.g. reporting, fund purpose, documentation, communication).
  • Oversee and manage the Center’s three fellowship programs and summer grants program including fellow alumni relations, application, selection, and notification and new fellow onboarding. Manage academic appointments, stipends and visas, and conduct initial salary and other terms of appointment discussions with incoming fellows.
  • Work to maintain an environment conducive to study, collaboration, and collegiality for faculty, fellows, and staff in residence at the Center; coordinates activities that foster a positive, cohesive, and effective organizational culture. Serve as office manager, provide building and facilities management.
  • Handles special projects for the Director and performs all other duties as required. 

Basic Qualifications:
Minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible, management and supervisory experience in academia or an academic organization. BA/BS degree or in lieu of degree, a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible, management and supervisory experience in academia or an academic organization years required.

Additional Qualifications:
Experience working in higher education, specifically with faculty members required. Knowledge of the academic environment and appreciation for the roles of faculty, research staff and students. Extensive experience in administration, financial analysis and reporting, strategic planning, organizational design and general management.

Strong independent decision-making and consensus building skills; sound judgment and diplomacy; proven capacity to work independently and as a team leader. Must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and have strong interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to establish and promote good working relationships with alum, colleagues, faculty, administrators, students, and vendors. Must be flexible and possess the ability to handle multiple tasks accurately under deadline pressure. Proven ability working in a complex organization and making informed decisions in the context of strategic organizational goals and policies. Must be able to work independently and take initiative. Must have ability to handle confidential materials with discretion.

Must be a professional, proactive, creative, collaborative, and conscientious individual. Should have ability to think strategically and conceptually, and ability to work collaboratively across all levels of an organization. Must lead by example, setting a tone of transparency, integrity, and service; generate positive energy in the organization.

Experience with the following Harvard/FAS systems a plus: ASPERIN, ASPIRE, MIDAS, SPECTRA, RUFFAS, PeopleSoft, ARIES, GMAS, HUBS, OBI, Oracle, CREW, Open Scholar.

Schedule: Full-time, 35 hours/week, Monday - Friday, 9AM to 5PM 
Compensation: Salary Grade 57, benefits eligible
How to Apply: Apply directly on the Harvard ASPIRE website. Search for the job using the following requisition ID: 39777BR.