AVP OF THE OFFICE OF TREASURY MANAGEMENT
Harvard University seeks an experienced finance leader to serve as the Assistant Vice President (AVP) of the Office of Treasury Management (OTM), Harvard’s equivalent of a Corporate Treasurer. As a key member of the senior leadership team, the AVP plays a vital role in ensuring the long-term stability and success of the University.
Reporting to the Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer, the AVP leads the strategic oversight and management of the University’s capital structure, liquidity and related risks, and is responsible for meeting the varied transactional banking and cash management needs of constituents across the University. In this strategic role, the AVP analyzes trends, identifies opportunities, and partners closely with other senior leaders to ensure the University’s financial sustainability and alignment with its strategic goals. The AVP provides advice and guidance on financial policies, procedures, and best practices, and represents the university in external relations with banks, rating agencies, and other stakeholders.
The AVP directs the Office of Treasury Management, comprised of a 15-person team across the Cash Management and Debt/Asset Management groups, and leads university-wide projects to provide strategic financial thinking to senior university leadership.
This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact at a leading University. The AVP will play an integral part in charting our financial course for years to come. If you are looking for a senior leadership role where you can apply your expertise to support world-class education and research, we encourage you to apply.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The AVP plays a critical strategic leadership role in several areas, including: understanding the key financing trends and best practices in higher education finance and their implications and applications for Harvard; utilizing a thoughtful and strategic approach to the University’s capital planning / funding processes; and sourcing creative and original financing and funding concepts / approaches for potential implementation at Harvard. In addition, the role supplies leadership in managing the University’s centrally held assets and liabilities (through oversight of the Central Bank); oversees strategy, operation and performance of the University’s external debt portfolio (currently $6.2B); plays an integral role in the projection and monitoring of University cash flows (currently $6B+/year); oversees the development of University policies related to cash and to debt; oversees the provision of banking and transactional services to the University community, and manages Harvard’s liquidity and working capital investments, including a portfolio of fixed income investments (currently $1B). The AVP plays a key role in developing the University’s capital funding plan, including making resource allocation recommendations to the University’s senior leadership and Corporation Finance Committee.
The AVP maintains a strong and productive working relationship with the Harvard Management Company (HMC) such that the University’s strategic and tactical liquidity / funding needs are satisfactorily met. In addition, the AVP advises schools and units on decisions affecting debt, financing strategy, and cash management. In carrying out these functions, the position works closely with HMC, the Office of Finance and Strategic Planning, the Office of the Controller, Schools and units, and external parties such as investment and commercial banks, rating agencies, legal counsel, trustees, and investors. The AVP is a member of the CFO’s Financial Leadership Team and attends the Corporation Finance Committee. In addition to all the duties described above, specific duties include:
- Directing the development and implementation of policies and analysis to support the operation of the Central Bank and optimization of the external debt portfolio
- Overseeing the strategic issuance of external debt for the University and maintaining relationships with lenders, investors, banks, and rating agencies
- Managing and monitoring the performance of investment assets and their ability to advance institutional goals while minimizing risk
- Developing and ensuring the quality of financial and risk models and reports
- Forecasting, monitoring, and arranging for liquidity/cash-flow requirements to ensure sufficient funds are available to meet operating expenses and obligations
- Hiring and developing a highly competent and diverse workforce, embodying organizational values in a trusting, engaging environment
- Developing relationships across the University to help guide and implement strategic financial decisions in a complex organization
- Serving as a strategic financial advisor to senior University leadership
REQUIREMENTS:
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree, with advanced degree preferred
- 15+ years of progressive experience in finance, accounting, or treasury with experience in the capital markets
- Excellent analytic, quantitative, problem-solving, conceptual, and communication skills
- Strong computer and financial systems knowledge and skills
- Strong leadership, relationship management and staff management abilities
- Planning and organizational abilities
- Knowledge of treasury functions and accounting required
- Attention to detail and commitment to compliance