Solution Architect, Anaplan

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Job Title

Technical Lead & Product Owner – Anaplan Platform

Key Responsibilities

Technical Ownership & Architecture

• Serve as primary technical owner of Harvard’s Anaplan environment (architecture, workspaces, security, performance).
• Design the end‑to‑end technical architecture, including how Anaplan connects with existing reporting and analytics tools, the data warehouse, identity management systems, and downstream reporting solutions.
• Define environment strategy (DEV/TEST/UAT/PROD), promotion paths, and ALM approach; ensure robust controls and segregation of duties.

Model Design, FP&A & Non‑Functional Requirements

• Lead detailed Harvard model design grounded in FP&A best practices and Harvard’s dimensional structures (TUB, Org, Dept, Fund, etc.), time, versioning, and what‑if scenarios.
• Design driver‑based planning, key calculation chains, allocations, and performance‑conscious formulas using Anaplan best practices.
• Define and manage non‑functional requirements: scalability, performance, availability, model sizing, and peak‑planning performance targets.

Data, Integrations & Governance

• Own integration design to and from Anaplan, including choice of tools (APIs, Anaplan Connect, ETL), batch vs near real‑time patterns, and error handling.
• Establish data and metadata standards: sources of truth for chart of accounts, org hierarchy, budget centers, and rules for hierarchy changes and approvals.
• Implement reconciliation controls between Anaplan, HART, and the GL.
• Define data quality rules and monitoring.

Security, Compliance, Testing & Operations

• Design the security model: SSO (Okta)/identity integration, role‑to‑group mapping (TUB, Org), and row‑level security by org, fund, activity, etc.; and "budget center" which may span both.
• Ensure appropriate handling of sensitive data and alignment with Harvard security, privacy, and audit requirements.
• Define and oversee testing strategy (unit, system/integration, UAT, regression), defect management, and "go‑live ready" criteria.
• Lead cutover and migration planning, legacy/shadow system retirement, and approach for initial parallel runs, as needed.
• Define operational monitoring (integrations, KPIs, job success/failure) and runbooks for common incidents; set UX/UI standards with a focus on usability and accessibility.

Governance

• Help shape Anaplan governance: product ownership post–go‑live, enhancement intake and prioritization, and guardrails for new/local models.
• Lead technical and business viability assessments of novel concepts (e.g., budget center, "planning in plain English") and their impact on chart of accounts, HART, and source systems.
• Influence over future operating model and potential for supervision of solution staff.

Product Ownership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as product owner for the Anaplan budgeting and planning platform: define the product vision, roadmap, and release priorities in partnership with finance and IT leadership.
• Gather, analyze, and reconcile requirements from central and school/unit stakeholders; frame tradeoffs and options using strong consulting and facilitation skills.
• Translate business needs—budgeting, forecasting, long‑range planning, scenario analysis—into user stories and clear acceptance criteria.
• Champion user experience and adoption through demos, feedback sessions, training input, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of seven years’ post‑secondary education or relevant work experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• 7+ years of experience in enterprise planning, financial systems, or analytics, including substantial experience in FP&A or financial planning/budgeting roles.
• Hands‑on Anaplan model building and architecture, including leading complex, multi‑entity Anaplan implementations integrated with source systems.
• Demonstrated experience acting as a product owner/manager or lead consultant for financial systems or planning platforms, including roadmap definition and stakeholder prioritization.
• Ideally 3+ years of hands‑on Anaplan model building and architecture, including leading complex, multi‑entity Anaplan implementations integrated with source systems.
• Strong understanding of finance/accounting concepts (budget vs actuals, chart of accounts, allocations, position budgeting, capital planning, variance analysis).
• Proven consulting and communication skills: able to facilitate workshops, challenge assumptions, synthesize diverse requirements, and present clear recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Familiarity with integration tools and APIs (e.g., SQL plus at least one of: Anaplan Connect, Informatica, MuleSoft, Boomi, SnapLogic, or similar).
• Demonstrated strength in data modeling, master data management, metadata management, and performance‑optimized design.

Preferred Additional Qualifications

• Anaplan Level 2 Model Builder, Solution Architect, or Master Anaplanner certification strongly preferred.
• Experience in higher education or similarly complex, decentralized organizations.

Certificates and Licenses

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

Appointment Details

• Appointment End Date: This is a fully benefited, full‑time Harvard University position funded for 2 years from date of hire. Possibility of renewal contingent upon work performance and continued availability of funding.
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week, Monday‑Friday; supports planned production releases, occasionally during extended hours or weekends. Position can be fully remote or hybrid; travel to campus may be required for important project events with advance notice.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre‑Employment Screening: Identity.
• Other Information: This position has a 180‑day orientation and review period.

Benefits

• 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.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 059. Please visit Harvard’s Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

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.