Senior Financial Analyst - Finance Division

Position Overview

Carnegie Mellon University is a private, global research university renowned for its breakthroughs in brain science, creative start-ups, big data, robotics, and more. The Finance Division supports the university’s education, research, and strategic goals by providing essential financial management, enterprise planning, and stewardship. In this Senior Financial Analyst role, reporting directly to the Director, FP&A, you will collect, compile, interpret, and analyze both internal and external financial data to support university-wide budgeting and strategic decisions. You will partner with various units, communicate financial trends, and provide decision support that shapes the future of CMU. This role thrives on collaboration, a passion for excellence, and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a key financial business partner and change management agent between University units and the Budget and Financial Planning Office.
• Support communication of planning expectations, understand unit financial trends, and collaborate regularly with unit leads.
• Monitor, evaluate, and analyze operating and capital performance against budget and forecast.
• Perform forecasting, scenario analysis, and modeling as part of the overall university budget process.
• Improve, streamline, and report on key forecast processes on a recurring basis.
• Evaluate and assist in the formulation of budget policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Analyze financial data, interpret past performance trends, and develop accurate projections.
• Present findings and implications to various management teams.
• Participate in advanced modeling for university-wide projects including long-term financial planning and capital project spending.
• Assist in designing, building, and fact-checking key deliverables for senior leadership stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or Accounting (or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience).
• At least 3-5 years of progressive financial analysis experience.
• Strong ability to analyze financial data, perform forecasting, scenario analysis, and modeling.
• Excellent communication skills, strong business acumen, and critical thinking with keen attention to detail.
• Self-motivated, adaptable to managing multiple projects and deadlines.
• Must successfully pass a background check and be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education financial analysis is a plus.
• Familiarity with AI and data visualization tools such as Power BI.

Benefits & Perks

• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous retirement savings program with employer contributions
• Tuition benefits
• Ample paid time off, observed holidays, and life & accidental death/disability insurance
• Free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to a Family Concierge Team, fitness center access, and much more