Senior Financial Analyst

Software Engineering Institute | Carnegie Mellon University•Pittsburgh, PA

16d

About The Position

Carnegie Mellon University's Software Engineering Institute (SEI) is seeking a Senior Financial Analyst to serve as a financial partner to research and operational leadership within its Financial and Business Services (FABS) division. The role provides analysis, planning, and insight to support resource management and organizational decision-making across a complex, mission-driven organization. The analyst manages financial planning and forecasting for assigned areas, interprets financial performance and risk, and communicates actionable recommendations through reports, dashboards, and presentations. The position partners with technical managers and leaders on budgeting, staffing, workload, resource allocation, and long-range planning, while supporting accurate, consistent, and compliant financial practices. It also contributes to process improvements, effective reporting practices, and collaboration across finance, accounting, contracts, and other business functions.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
3–5 years of relevant experience in financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, or financial management.
Strong financial modeling, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities, including advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
Experience working with financial systems, reporting platforms, or business intelligence tools.
Ability to interpret complex financial information, exercise sound judgment, and communicate recommendations effectively.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to manage multiple priorities independently.

Nice To Haves

Experience in financial planning and analysis within a complex, project-based, research, higher education, or government contracting environment.
Familiarity with federal contracting requirements, financial compliance, or cost accounting principles.
Experience with Oracle, enterprise performance management systems, or financial reporting and visualization tools.
Experience supporting workforce planning, resource allocation, or multi-year financial forecasting.

Responsibilities

Serve as a primary financial resource for assigned directorates and build relationships with technical managers and leadership.
Analyze financial performance, identify trends and risks, and translate complex data into actionable recommendations.
Evaluate the financial implications of funding, staffing, and workload decisions to support resource planning and management.
Develop financial reports, dashboards, and presentations that communicate meaningful insights.
Own budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis for assigned areas, ensuring projections reflect current business conditions and anticipated needs.
Facilitate monthly financial reviews with technical managers and budget leads, challenge assumptions, evaluate performance, and identify improvement opportunities.
Support long-range planning, scenario analysis, and resource allocation decisions.
Monitor financial performance throughout research program lifecycles and help identify and mitigate funding, execution, and financial risks.
Collaborate with colleagues in finance, accounting, contracts, and other business functions to support sound financial management and stewardship of resources.
Apply financial policies and applicable regulatory requirements to support accurate, consistent, and compliant practices.
Identify opportunities to simplify processes, improve financial reporting, and use technology to enhance financial analysis.
Share expertise, contribute to team development, and help establish consistent financial planning and reporting practices.