Assistant Vice President for Budget and Finance Office of the Vice President for Research

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) a global leader in education research and innovation across computing artificial intelligence engineering science business arts and public policy invites applications for the position of Assistant Vice President for Budget and Finance. The successful candidate will provide strategic direction and oversight for the financial affairs of CMUs Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) and the university-wide research and innovation enterprise. The Assistant VP will support CMUs research mission and strategic goals by advising leadership on business and financial strategies that align with research priorities and sustainable operations both within the OVPR and across campus. They will foster operational excellence by developing and implementing effective and efficient financial practices processes and policies as well as by building and managing innovative business and operating models for university-wide research initiatives and infrastructure. Reporting to CMUs Vice President for Research (VPR) with a dotted line to the Vice Provost for Academic Budget and Finance and working in close partnership with CMUs Finance Office and College leadership this position is one of CMUs top financial officers that supports data-driven solutions that balance long-term strategy with near-term priorities and needs.

About Carnegie Mellon University

CMU is a top-ranked private research-intensive university based in Pittsburgh PA with a vision of fostering a transformative impact on society through continual innovation in education research creativity and entrepreneurship. The university is internationally recognized for its computer science artificial intelligence engineering business science humanities and fine arts programs with a strong emphasis on innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

With more than a dozen degree-granting locations and a growing number of partnerships around the world CMU is truly a global university. CMU provides undergraduate students with a distinctive interdisciplinary approach and an emphasis on research and entrepreneurial experiences. Its world-renowned faculty also deliver a full complement of graduate and postgraduate programs and conduct research that pushes the frontiers of technology science and the arts. Its footprint fosters cooperation across borders including from its campuses in Silicon Valley CA; Education City Doha Qatar; and Kigali Rwanda East Africa.

CMUs confluence of scholarly excellence robust federal and industry partnerships and heritage of innovation consistently place it among the most dynamic and impactful research institutions in the world. The university is ranked #20 in National Universities and the #4 Most Innovative Schools by U.S. News & World Report in 2026 and is considered a top 25 university globally by Times Higher Education in 2025. It has #1 ranked programs in Computer Science and Business including AI software engineering cybersecurity programming languages mobile applications business analytics and management information systems with 14 additional top 10 programs across Engineering Computer Science and Business.

CMU views its 125-year legacy as a beginning: with innovation and entrepreneurship in the universitys DNA it thrives on agility to seize pivotal moments and embrace the future in its persistent pursuit of excellence.

For additional information about CMU please visit

Research and Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University is known as an epicenter of innovative and societally transformative research and technologies from the birthplace of AI through the pioneering work of Simon and Newell in the 1950s to the home of autonomous and self-driving vehicles in the 1980s to the first wireless campus in the 1990s all the way to AI-powered cognitive tutors and AI-enabled robotic scientific labs today. The entrepreneurial mindset and approach of its faculty staff and leadership have enabled CMU researchers to drive innovation at the frontiers of science technology and society. Its interdisciplinary research enterprise spans AI robotics computer science engineering life sciences social systems and the arts tackling challenges that support a safer more secure and resilient future.

Last year CMUs research expenditure exceeded $720 million which included support from industry partners across all major sectors federal agencies such as the NSF DOW DOE NIH and ARPA-H as well as non-profit foundations and international organizations. CMUs reach and impact are extended through its large applied and translational research units that include the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC) the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) a national federally funded research and development center and the Advanced Robotics Manufacturing (ARM) Institute a national manufacturing innovation institute.

CMUs collaborative culture accelerates progress enabling researchers and students to move seamlessly from idea to implementation. The result is a university whose innovations dont just advance knowledge they redefine industries inform national policy and improve lives worldwide. The university has a rich history of successful startup founders and investors who are CMU alumni faculty and students. This includes 67 CMU-affiliated unicorns like Duolingo Skild AI Nest Cognizant and Aurora and startups with CMU IP or equity that have exited with more than $38 billion in cumulative value.

Read more about CMU research on the Work That Matters site.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Strategy and Management

• Advise and guide CMU leadership on effective efficient and transparent operational and financial practices to support a leading research enterprise.
• Lead the OVPRs budgeting forecasting and other financial planning processes.
• Oversee data-driven allocation of budgets across OVRPs units focusing on rational and equitable distribution of resources.
• Analyze financial performance and recommend strategies to optimize OVPRs financial position.
• Ensure integration and roll-out of Finance Division initiatives to OVPRs units and partner with the Vice Provost on work with academic units.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation of budget and financial processes.
• Ensure compliance with requirements and regulations of external agencies and adherence to CMU policies procedures and practice guidelines.
• Provide training and guidance to OVPRs units on financial processes and best practices.
• Lead financial scenario planning efforts for VPR and Vice Provost by evaluating modeling and contingency planning for different types of scenarios (i.e. enrollment shifts inflation research funding changes etc.).

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Partner with the Vice Provost for Academic Budgets and Financial Planning to plan short- and long-term financial strategies.
• Build and maintain relationships with key university stakeholders including the Finance Division Provosts Office Presidents Office and academic units.
• Provide counsel on financial implications of strategic initiatives growth program development and faculty hiring and retention.
• Oversee the OVPR monthly quarterly and annual financial close including reconciliations journal entries and reporting.
• Oversee the OVPR procurement and purchasing including requisitions vendor set-up contract routing and P-card administration.
• Oversee the OVPR Accounts Payable (AP) and Accounts Receivable (AR) functions ensuring timely invoice processing collections and vendor payments.
• Provide guidance on financial aspects of major capital expenditures building/lab renovations and other research investments.
• Identify analyze and mitigate financial risk to the Vice Provost and the VPR by developing and implementing risk management strategies and communicating risk findings accordingly.
• Lead special financial projects system implementations or process improvement initiatives.

• Develop accessible reporting tools to support data-driven decision making throughout the research enterprise.

Research Administration Oversight

• Oversee financial administration of sponsored research projects gifts and endowments under the OVPRs portfolio.
• Oversee financial model and administration of high-performance research computing experimental shared user facilities and applied research units.
• Ensure compliance with sponsor regulations and university policies collaborating with the Vice Provost Office of Sponsored Research and Finance.
• Oversee resource allocation processes including cost sharing effort and space.

Management/Team Leadership:

• Lead and manage a team of finance professionals ensuring alignment organizational goals and delivery of high-quality financial analysis reporting and operational support.
• Coordinate with OVPR HR and Payroll on hiring onboarding and compensation allocations.
• Provide ongoing coaching mentoring and professional development to enhance team capabilities foster engagement and promote a culture of accountability and excellence.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide constructive feedback to support growth recognize achievements and address performance gaps effectively.

• Cultivate a service-oriented culture that balances compliance and stewardship with CMU policies and regulations with responsiveness to audits.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters degree in business administration finance or related field; CPA or CRA preferred.
• Minimum of ten years of relevant experience with at least five years in operational financial leadership; FFRDCs FAR 32.1 (commercial contracting) recharge centers academic research institute or higher education experience preferred.
• Strong analytical and strategic planning skills; advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with financial systems and reporting tools.
• Knowledge of university financial systems sponsored research administration and compliance regulations.
• Excellent communication leadership and interpersonal skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Accountability: Manages an OVPR budget of more than $100 million.

Direction: Works independently with regular meetings with the Vice Provost and VPR.

Decision Making: Handles responsibilities independently and escalates unique or high-impact issues to the Vice Provost and VPR.

Supervisory Responsibility: Oversees OVPRs finance and financial operations staff; responsible for performance evaluation hiring and salary recommendations.

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical prescription dental and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.

Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs fitness center access and much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available explore our Benefits page.

At Carnegie Mellon we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials we evaluate the role and responsibilities your valuable work experience and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; its about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization! Apply today!

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