Director of Business Operations
Harvard University · Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States · hybrid
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Why Work at Harvard Library?
At Harvard Library, we are champions of curiosity. We aim to be global leaders in expanding world knowledge and intellectual exploration. We engage with our communities in the creation and sharing of new knowledge, connecting them with the vast collections that we curate and steward through collaborations around the world. At its core, our mission for nearly four centuries has been to advance the learning, research, and pursuit of truth that are at the heart of Harvard. Our efforts are motivated and powered by working collaboratively, embracing diverse perspectives, championing access, aiming for the extraordinary, and always leading with curiosity.
**Although the position will remain posted until filled, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by the end of the day on Monday, November 16, 2026.**
Job Summary:
Reporting to the Chief of Administrative Operations (CAO) for Harvard Library, and working closely with the Senior Director of Financial Planning and Analysis, Controller, Senior Director of Human Resources, Director of Building Operations, and Senior Director of Administrative Operations, this role will provide overall business operations leadership and direct management for financial administration, facilities, human resources, and other areas vital for the operational and strategic success of Harvard Library (CADM and FAS).
This role will lead and execute key Harvard Library wide initiatives and projects for the Chief of Administrative Operations and manage complex business operations. The initial focus is the archives and special collections portfolio reporting to the Associate University Librarian (AUL) for Archives and Special Collections and Florence Fearrington Librarian of Houghton Library, which includes more than 80 staff members, a complex annual budget of ~$26 million, and a facilities environment requiring optimal preservation and collections security for many of Harvard Library’s most valuable holdings, particularly those held in Houghton Library, the Harvard University Archives, Harvard-Yenching Library, and the Harvard Film Archive.This role supports the AUL and subunits with human resources needs, strategic and annual financial planning, budget management, internal communications, project management, and staff community building. Over time, the position will expand responsibilities to provide high level business strategy support across Harvard Library senior leadership, with the goal of implementing an equitable business infrastructure across the organization.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Administrative Structure
- Creates, evaluates, builds, and implements an equitable business infrastructure that serves the needs of all Harvard Library Units- Facilitate a collaborative and transparent process to review the overall business functions across Harvard Library with a goal to create a sustainable system where HR, Finance, Accounting, and Building Operations is equitable to all parts of the library organization.
- Frequently participates and/or provide leadership in Harvard, FAS or Harvard Library wide planning efforts related to space and capital plans, institutional risk management, and local emergency management (in collaboration with business continuity and LEMT sponsors), and other strategic and operational areas.- Manages business strategy functions within the CAO and other leadership portfolios and assists with leadership and administration. This work includes strategic and annual planning, project management, intentional communication, organizational culture development, and professional development.
- Serves as a member and helps to coordinate the work of CAO other leadership teams, and other library groups and groups as necessary.
- Maintains library policy documentation via SharePoint, wikis and other collaboration tools; and holds responsibility for local compliance with university records, policies and procedures across the CAO and other leadership portfolios.
Financial Management
- Responsible for annual budgeting, long-term financial sustainability, and long-range forecasting and planning, fund management, and expense management for acquisitions, salaries, facilities, and general operations. Works with leaders, managers, and librarians and with Harvard Library Administration and Finance staff to develop and manage budgets.
- Properly advise of the financial risks as well as opportunities, providing the tradeoffs of certain financial decisions.
- Ensure responsible financial management and reporting and following Harvard University’s financial policies, procedures, and protocols. In partnership with HL Finance, ensure accountability and compliance with fiduciary requirements.
Human Resources Management
- In partnership with the CAO, and hiring managers, manage the staffing exception requests needed to gain Committee approval to hire LHTs, terms, students, and Regular full-time staff. This requires collaboration with Finance partners to ensure appropriate and sufficient funding is secured, as well as collaboration with Human Resource partners for the Committee approval process. - Act as a strategic thought partner to oversee local requests for human resources related activities including recruitment, position description documentation, review/classification, creation of new positions, temporary workers, student employees, performance management, and professional development.
- Coordinates the onboarding and orientation for new members of the senior teams.
- Collaborate closely with Human Resources and key leaders on a student employment program across Harvard Library. With a large student employee population and a related union, Harvard Undergraduate Worker Union (HUWU), there is a significant need to enhance our student workforce planning, employment request, hiring, onboarding, training, safety, payroll, offboarding processes, to name a few. The focus will be on developing best practices, including leading a community of practice for supervisors of student employees.
- In concert with Human Resources, develop ideas on how to address HUCTW issues.
Facilities Management
- Serve as lead for capital and space operations for Harvard Library and serve as point person for Harvard Library Building Operations and the FAS Office of Physical Resources and Planning (OPRP).
- Serve as the primary stakeholder with Harvard Library Building Operations in all aspects of the libraries and facilities, including capital project planning and execution, security systems, and infrastructure, ongoing maintenance and repairs, movement of staff workstations or requests for staff workspace improvements emergency preparedness and response, and risk management.
- Collaborates with Building Operations to ensure optimal facilities and security environment. A specific focus will be on the high value collections housed in Houghton Library, Harvard University Archives, Harvard-Yenching Library, Harvard Film Archive, and other repositories.
- Serves as Facilities liaison and is responsible for communicating and coordinating facilities related work with library staff.
Level of Flexibility: The position will be based on our campus in Cambridge, MA with an opportunity for a flexible or hybrid schedule, following the 90 day onboarding period, compliant with Harvard University remote work policies (this would be a minimum of 3 days onsite, and in accordance with business needs).
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- A minimum of 8 years of experience with an increasing level of responsibility and relevant experience directly supporting senior administrators, or equivalent education and expe