Compliance Specialist at HarvardUniversity

Harvard's Financial Administration Department (FAD) is responsible for the stewardship of the University’s finances, including related business processes and technology in support of the teaching and research mission of the University. The Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP) manages a diverse portfolio of federal, foundation, international, and industry sponsors; we provide lifecycle sponsored programs support and partner with schools, departments, and centers across the University to facilitate proposal submission, award acceptance and administration, and all sponsored financial reporting and invoicing throughout the life of the award.  The Compliance Specialist supports audit, compliance, and financial oversight activities within OSP, with a primary focus on sponsored research administration. Reporting to the Director, Cost Analysis and Compliance, this position is responsible for coordinating and supporting sponsored audits and third-party reviews, including the Annual Single Audit, and serves as a key liaison between OSP, Harvard schools and departments, and external auditors. The Compliance Specialist manages audit timelines, facilitates information requests, monitors progress, and helps ensure the timely and accurate completion of audit deliverables. This role contributes to all phases of the audit lifecycle, including planning, documentation, response development, and follow-up. The Compliance Specialist reviews audit scopes, evaluates departmental submissions for compliance and completeness, analyzes auditor inquiries, and drafts responses to findings. In collaboration with OSP leadership and school partners, the position supports management responses, corrective action plans, and remediation tracking, while also strengthening internal controls by assessing processes against federal regulations (including Uniform Guidance), identifying risks, and recommending improvements. The role also involves monitoring regulatory updates, integrating changes into compliance practices, and maintaining audit tracking systems and documentation to support institutional readiness. This position requires strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, as well as the ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment. The Compliance Specialist must be detail-oriented, able to work independently, and capable of exercising sound judgment to meet deadlines with minimal supervision. This role also requires the ability to handle highly sensitive information with strict confidentiality. This is an excellent opportunity for a professional interested in research compliance, audit coordination, and financial oversight within a higher education environment. Job-Specific Responsibilities: Reporting to the Director, Cost Analysis and Financial Compliance, the Compliance Specialist supports the following activities in the Office for Sponsored Programs:  • Plan and coordinate third-party reviews and audits related to sponsored research administration. Serve as a primary liaison for assigned audits between OSP, Harvard schools and departments, and external auditors; develop timelines, communicate documentation requests, monitor progress, and escalate issues as needed.  • Contribute substantively to the Annual Single Audit process, including preparing and reviewing documentation, completing required questionnaires, and coordinating and attending department orientations and Principal Investigator (PI) interviews with external auditors. Identify potential concerns and elevate recommendations to leadership.  • Support sponsored audits by reviewing scope and objectives, issuing and tracking information requests, evaluating departmental responses for compliance and completeness, and compiling organized audit documentation.  • Analyze auditor inquiries and draft well-supported responses to questions and preliminary findings. Assist in preparing management responses and corrective action plans in collaboration with OSP leadership and school partners.  • Communicate audit results and compliance implications to departments and stakeholders, draft audit observations and responses, and support follow-up on remediation efforts.  • Assess internal controls within sponsored research administration processes, applying internal control frameworks, risk assessment methodologies, and federal regulations (including Uniform Guidance) to identify compliance risks, recommend improvements, and deliver and support training on internal controls and financial compliance.  • Advise colleagues and school administrators on University policies, sponsor requirements, and compliance best practices to promote audit readiness and consistent procedures.   • Monitor regulatory and sponsor updates, evaluate operational impact, and incorporate relevant changes into audit and compliance activities.   • Maintain audit tracking systems and documentation repositories to enhance efficiency and institutional preparedness while managing multiple concurrent priorities in a deadline-driven environment.