Business Applications Specialist

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Harvard University Housing & Real Estate

Harvard University Housing & Real Estate (HUHRE) is a department within Harvard Campus Services, a multi-department organization within Harvard’s Central Administration.  HUHRE supports the University’s educational and research efforts by offering Harvard affiliates a wide array of housing and real estate services in University-owned properties which are conveniently located, competitively priced, and professionally managed to residents and tenants alike. HUHRE serves as the asset manager for Harvard’s portfolio of commercial spaces and centrally stewarded institutional assets, overseeing the leasing and operations of University-owned institutional space for Harvard affiliates and commercial spaces for rent by private retail tenants within the Cambridge, and Greater Boston area.

HUHRE manages a broad range of initiatives and assets to help support the Harvard community. These include, but are not limited to:

• Leasing, managing, and renewing Harvard-owned housing as well as Harvard offices/institutional spaces, and commercial real estate portfolios
• Leading community engagement and programming opportunities
• Managing relationships with external partners and vendors
• Working within the larger University community to develop and coordinate University-wide policies and strategies
•  Supporting new University housing and real estate development projects across the Cambridge and Greater Boston area

Harvard University Housing & Real Estate and Harvard Campus Services are committed to cultivating an organization that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

Job Description

The Business Applications Specialist, reporting to the Associate Director of Systems and Business Applications, will share responsibility with the Systems team in supporting these solutions, fostering a tenant experience befitting the Ivy League. 

Job-Specific Responsibilities

Application Management & Support

• Administer and support systems and applications used for daily property management operations, including overseeing related projects, upgrades and software/hardware maintenance and installations.
• Oversee application support and serve as a level-2 point of contact for application-related issues, troubleshooting, and escalation.
• Manage system configurations, user access, roles, and security settings.

Business Process Optimization

• Analyze current workflows across leasing, maintenance, accounting, and tenant services and identify opportunities to improve efficiencies through system enhancements and automation.
• Partner with stakeholders to define business requirements, design processes and implement best practices.

System Integration & Data Management

• Oversee integrations between property management systems and third-party tools.
• Ensure data accuracy, consistency, and integrity across systems.
• Develop and maintain reports, dashboards, and data extracts for business insights.

Project Leadership

• Assume a supporting role in system implementation / upgrade / migration projects, and a leading role in small projects.
• Collaborate with vendors and internal teams to deliver projects on time and within scope.
• Document requirements, test solutions, and manage change control processes.

Training & Documentation

• Develop and maintain user guides, SOPs, and training materials.
• Conduct training sessions for staff on new features, systems, and best practices.
• Act as a subject matter expert for business applications.

Vendor & Stakeholder Management

• Liaise with software vendors to resolve issues and evaluate new features.
• Work closely with property managers, finance teams, leasing, community programming team, and other Harvard teams to align systems with business needs.

Working Conditions:

• Candidate will need to travel periodically to HUHRE properties and management offices, and possibly navigate stairs in order to monitor and test technical building components.
• Candidate may occasionally need to lift/carry/transport a hardware component weighing as much as 20 pounds. 
• Candidate may occasionally need to perform work in confined spaces which may be not be climate-controlled.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

The successful candidate will possess a systems mindset and at least several of the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Business Administration, or related field
• 5+ years of experience supporting business applications, preferably in property management or real estate
• Hands-on experience with property management software (e.g., Yardi, MRI, RealPage OneSite, Entrata, AppFolio)
• Experience managing project tasks and deliverables within established project management frameworks
• Experience with system integrations (APIs, middleware platforms)
• Knowledge of data governance and compliance practices
• Solid understanding of accounting principles related to property management
• Experience with reporting tools (e.g., SQL, Power BI, Excel advanced functions)

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience providing tech support and performing user acceptance testing.
• Experience managing a technical support team.
• Strong communications skills, verbal and written, across all media: phone, email, in-person, and documentation.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external customers, vendors and other stakeholders.
• Ability to liaise between technical and non-technical personalities.
• Ability to meet deadlines and maintain a positive attitude while balancing competing priorities
• Ability to effectively multi-task and triage support requests arising from multiple fronts.
• Teamwork mentality, service mindset approach, and the ability to act as a trusted advisor.
• Experience with Yardi property management software highly desirable.
• Experience utilizing project management methodologies and tools.

Key Skills

• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to translate business needs into technical solutions

Certificates and Licenses

• Completion of Harvard IT Academy specified foundational courses (or external equivalent) preferred

Additional Information

Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week

Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, and References

Other Information:

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Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.