International Project Manager
Harvard Global Research and Support Services, Inc.
This is a two-year appointment with the possibility of renewal. This Cambridge-based position is employed by Harvard Global Research and Support Services, Inc., an affiliate of Harvard University, and is eligible for Harvard University benefits.
Duties & Responsibilities
Reporting to the Associate Director for Finance and Administration, this position is responsible for the startup and maintenance of Harvard Global (HG) branches and affiliated entities in various jurisdictions around the world, plus other projects and implementations as assigned. HG clients’ activities may present novel challenges under various host-country regulations. The International Project Manager must manage detailed host-country due diligence with counsel and other advisors to analyze country-specific tradeoffs between various corporate forms and understand numerous regulatory requirements and constraints, with an eye toward long-term sustainability of the new branch or entity. Develop unique subject-matter expertise on complex requirements in each country and engage in creative problem-solving to effectively manage risks and compliance for HG and clients. Completing HG’s country startups on time and on budget while identifying and mitigating numerous, diverse, hidden, short-term and long-term risks is critical for the success of Harvard’s international expansion.
Oversee the planning and implementation of diverse overseas projects including; set-up of administrative and finance functions overseas, coordination with program management, coordination with outsourced vendors and clients and stakeholders based in Cambridge, and ongoing monitoring of administrative project deadlines. Serve as project manager for specific projects based in Cambridge with stakeholders overseas and on campus. Provide ongoing administration support and expertise in areas as needed, and develop, implement, and maintain processes and protocols as HG expands into new jurisdictions. Manage outside vendors, providers and brokers (and partner with internal service providers for overseas clients). Liaise with host-country expertise, develop and manage project task lists, determine and comply with legal requirements. Provide consistently excellent service to client departments, overseas field offices, a wide variety of University offices that provide management services to Harvard Global, support HG’s and Harvard’s values, and ensure compliance with U.S. and host-country regulations.
Collaborate with Global Support Services staff and lead or participate in a range of project teams. Work closely with School clients and stakeholders and with a wide variety of University offices, including but not limited to the Office of Treasury Management (OTM), Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP), Risk Management and Audit Services (RMAS), and Office of the General Counsel (OGC). As requested and on occasion represent HG to U.S. and foreign regulators and authorities.
Two to three international trips per year should be expected to project sites.
Project Management
• Develop and manage project plans, budgets, and timelines in partnership with school departments and field offices. Identify and coordinate with project participants. Define and oversee deliverables.
• Manage country startup projects, including corporate registration and other functions. Assess tradeoffs of various registration options and make recommendations to HG leadership. Research host-country corporate requirements and restrictions, and develop corporate objects, documentation, and structures to promote HG goals within host-country requirements.
• Develop and execute host-country aspects of a comprehensive planning process for HG’s operations, balancing global “best practices” with the priorities and goals of clients, stakeholders and employees.
• Build and maintain effective, collaborative, and consultative relationships with clients and stakeholders throughout the University.
• Maintain regular two-way communication with School departments regarding new initiatives.
• Document options and proposals for key stakeholders and the HG Board and management, and regularly report on progress and outcomes.
• Write and/or collaborate on functional requirements for business processes and systems.
• In consultation with local counsel and advisors and internal stakeholders, develop and implement Harvard Global policies consistent with host-country regulations and customs.
• Update and maintain the master task list for overseas HG projects.
• Train client and host-country staff in administrative and financial workflow, policy and requirements, and other topics as needed.
Compliance and Risk Management
• Develop, maintain, and oversee streamlined business processes and workflows that ensure appropriate controls; maintain legal separation between HG and other Harvard entities; comply with U.S. and host-country laws and regulations; and properly account for operating costs for recovery from clients.
• Develop and manage due diligence protocol to ensure ongoing compliance with host-country regulations and customs.
• Work with clients and stakeholders to ensure appropriate distribution of oversight and accountability for client operations.
Administration
• Maintain corporate documentation for HG subsidiaries around the world.
• Build and maintain an excellent reputation for HG services and infrastructure through regular outreach, responsiveness to client needs, and efficient and effective services.
• Assist with consultative RFP and vendor selection processes and periodic reviews.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to HG leadership and clients.
• Develop metrics for cost and effectiveness. Regularly measure performance and continuously improve performance against goals.
• Hire, train and supervise operations staff as needed and based on portfolio growth.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and five years or seven years of progressively responsible project management experience, including international project management. Advanced knowledge of global corporate registration processes and regulations and demonstrated ability to quickly learn and apply processes and requirements in new countries is required.
Demonstrated track record leading teams to develop and implement business processes in a highly decentralized environment. Demonstrated ability to envision and implement global strategies that balance simplicity and consistency with the flexibility to meet host-country needs.
Strong customer service orientation. Exceptional ability to bridge gaps and problem-solve to reach flexible operational solutions that address the needs of diverse stakeholders. Must be able to communicate clearly, effectively and persuasively and form productive alliances with faculty and administrators at all levels of the organization. Strong organizational, project management, and reporting skills.
Must be able to balance conflicting priorities within a constantly changing environment. Self-starting and highly motivated individuals with exceptional adaptability will succeed in this position. Experience handling confidential information with discretion is essential.
All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.
Additional Qualifications
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and expertise in Project Management tools.
• Understanding of both for-profit and non-profit corporate governance structures.
• Foreign language proficiency a plus.
About Harvard Global and Harvard University
Harvard Global Research and Support Services, Inc., (known as “Harvard Global”) supports Harvard University by creating an infrastructure through which overseas operations can be run, including research projects, student programs, and liaison offices. Harvard Global and its subsidiaries currently employ on a common infrastructure approximately 15 expatriates in about 8 countries on a U.S. payroll, and a growing number of host-country nationals on various local payrolls. HG also receives grants from certain sponsors, and partners with Harvard University as needed to fulfill grant requirements.
Harvard Global is affiliated with Global Support Services (GSS), a department of Campus Services at Harvard University, which provides operational guidance and tools to support Harvard’s international projects and travelers.
Harvard University consists of Harvard College (for undergraduates), eleven graduate and professional schools, a Division of Continuing Education, the Radcliffe Institute, and the Central Administration. Students, faculty, and staff in each School engage in a wide range of international pursuits, including study abroad, research projects, internships, performance tours, cultural enrichment, conferences, and business travel, covering more than 160 countries. The University currently has a long-term presence in about 25 countries and this footprint continues to expand.
ToApply:
Please visit http://hr.harvard.edu/search-jobs
Harvard Global Research and Support Services, Inc., (known as “Harvard Global”) supports Harvard University by creating an infrastructure through which overseas operations can be run, including research projects, student programs, and liaison offices. Harvard Global and its subsidiaries currently employ on a common infrastructure approximately 15 expatriates in about 8 countries on a U.S. payroll, and a growing number of host-country nationals on various local payrolls. HG also receives grants from certain sponsors, and partners with Harvard University as needed to fulfill grant requirements.
Harvard Global is affiliated with Global Support Services (GSS), a department of Campus Services at Harvard University, which provides operational guidance and tools to support Harvard’s international projects and travelers.
Harvard University consists of Harvard College (for undergraduates), eleven graduate and professional schools, a Division of Continuing Education, the Radcliffe Institute, and the Central Administration. Students, faculty, and staff in each School engage in a wide range of international pursuits, including study abroad, research projects, internships, performance tours, cultural enrichment, conferences, and business travel, covering more than 160 countries. The University currently has a long-term presence in about 25 countries and this footprint continues to expand.