Finance and Operations Coordinator College of Engineering Civil and Environmental Engineering

Carnegie Mellon University is a private global research university that stands among the worlds most renowned education institutions. With ground-breaking brain science path-breaking performances creative start-ups big data big ambitions hands-on learning and a whole lot of robots CMU doesnt imagine the future we invent it. If youre passionate about joining a community that challenges the curious to deliver work that matters your journey starts here!

The Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Carnegie Mellon offers a unique interdisciplinary program that enables you to develop imaginative solutions to real-world engineering problems. With access to cutting-edge research and technology high achieving energetic - yet approachable - faculty and an innovative and flexible curriculum we consistently rank among the top engineering programs by US News and World Report.

The Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Carnegie Mellon is seeking a Finance and Operations Coordinator to join our team. This position supports sponsored research activities departmental finance and operations and student financial administration. The coordinator works collaboratively with faculty staff students the Engineering Research Accelerator and other university partners to ensure financial and administrative responsibilities are completed accurately efficiently and in accordance with university policies.

Core Responsibilities:

Labor Distribution Costing and Effort Administration

• Compile track enter and maintain Oracle labor distribution and costing allocations.
• Work with faculty and the Engineering Research Accelerators post-award team to compile and maintain planned labor allocations.
• Ensure that salary distributions align with faculty plans approved budgets available funding and project periods.
• Process labor redistributions and resolve discrepancies involving salary allocations.
• Coordinate effort certification and summer effort processing working with faculty and appropriate university partners to support timely and accurate completion.
• Maintain accurate records and supporting documentation for labor and effort transactions.

Research Administration

• In collaboration with the Engineering Research Accelerators pre-award & post-award teams:
  • Support faculty research account portfolio management: Monitor research account balances expenditures commitments planned labor funding periods and other financial activity.
  • Assist with financial projections account reconciliation cost transfers award setup reporting and closeout activities.
  • Identify potential funding spending or allocation issues and communicate them proactively to faculty departmental leadership and research administration partners.
  • Respond to faculty questions regarding research account activity available balances allowable expenses and relevant university procedures.
  • Synthesize information from financial systems award documentation policies and stakeholder input to support sound account management and decision- making.

• Participate in meetings between faculty and the Engineering Research Accelerator
• Attend RAC and College research administrator meetings and others as appropriate to maintain awareness of relevant policy process and system changes and communicate important information to others.
• Primary monitor for department shared cee research email

Financial Administration

• Process financial transactions such as but not limited to; account redistributions cost transfers professional development funds check deposits purchase requisitions/purchase orders and other departmental financial activity as needed.
• Review project account transactions for accuracy appropriate authorization available funding supporting documentation and compliance with university policies.
• Reconcile project accounts financial activity investigate discrepancies and work with appropriate university units to resolve issues.

Student Employment Scholarships and Account Support

• Process student employment transactions in Workday including appointments and changes for PhD students hourly research assistants teaching assistants and graders.
• Coordinate with faculty academic program staff and university partners to obtain complete and accurate information for student appointments.
• Process graduate scholarships and financial aid through GRAD AID and related university systems.
• Research and resolve student financial and employment issues by consulting university systems policies and appropriate university partners.
• Establish monitor reconcile and report on Deans Fellowship professional development funds.
• Administer and track student travel grants and awards including SURF SURG REU GSA and other departmental or university funding if and as needed

Financial Reporting and Analysis for Project Accounts/Sponsored Research

• Learn to run interpret and create financial and administrative reports for faculty and departmental leadership.
• Prepare reports at the individual account faculty portfolio and department-wide levels.
• Identify inconsistencies or emerging concerns and follow through with appropriate stakeholders to resolve them.
• Develop increasing proficiency with university reporting systems and financial tools.

General Administration and Process Improvement

• Maintain accurate organized and confidential financial personnel research and student records.
• Manage multiple priorities recurring transaction cycles and deadlines.
• Respond to questions from students faculty staff and university offices in a professional and timely manner.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Adaptability excellence and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

Qualifications:

• Associate or bachelors degree in accounting finance business administration higher education administration or a related field. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong analytical reasoning organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to learn financial and administrative systems and develop the skills needed to run interpret and create accurate reports.
• Ability to synthesize information from multiple systems policies procedures and stakeholders to make sound decisions resolve issues and fulfill responsibilities accurately.
• Self-directed and able to investigate and resolve problems independently while recognizing when additional guidance or expertise is needed.
• Willingness to seek information proactively and collaborate with colleagues across departments and university units.
• Ability to manage changing priorities high-volume periods recurring responsibilities and deadlines.
• Strong individual and team communication skills.
• Professional approachable helpful and friendly when working with students faculty staff and university partners.
• Ability to handle confidential student personnel research and financial information appropriately.
• Commitment to producing accurate timely and high-quality work and meeting high performance expectations.
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Requirements:

• Successful background check

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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