Senior Financial Analyst

Carnegie Mellon University•Pittsburgh, PA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Carnegie Mellon University's Software Engineering Institute (SEI) is seeking a Senior Financial Analyst to join its Financial and Business Services (FABS) division. The analyst serves as a financial partner to SEI research and operational leadership, providing analysis, planning, and insights to support effective resource management and long-term organizational success. The position owns financial work for assigned areas, builds partnerships with technical managers and leaders, and helps the organization use financial information to guide decisions. The role includes financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, planning, reporting, and risk monitoring for assigned directorates and research programs. The analyst translates complex financial information into actionable recommendations, supports funding, staffing, workload, and resource-allocation decisions, and works with colleagues across finance, accounting, contracts, and other business functions to promote sound, compliant financial practices. The position also identifies opportunities to improve processes, reporting, and use of technology, and contributes expertise to consistent team practices. The position is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is a regular, full-time staff role. Carnegie Mellon lists comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance; retirement savings with employer contributions; tuition benefits; paid time off and observed holidays; life and accidental death and disability insurance; a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass; Family Concierge Team support for childcare needs; and fitness center access among its employee benefits.

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, attention to detail, and 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 to understand their priorities, challenges, and financial needs.
Analyze financial performance, identify trends and risks, and translate complex data into clear, actionable recommendations.
Evaluate financial implications of funding, staffing, and workload decisions to support effective 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 conditions and anticipated needs.
Facilitate monthly financial reviews with technical managers and budget leads, challenge assumptions, evaluate performance, and identify opportunities for improvement.
Support long-range planning, scenario analysis, and resource-allocation decisions that contribute to organizational sustainability.
Monitor financial performance throughout research program lifecycles and help identify and mitigate funding, execution, and financial risks.
Collaborate with finance, accounting, contracts, and other business functions to support sound financial management and responsible stewardship of resources.
Apply financial policies and applicable regulatory requirements to support accurate, consistent, and compliant financial practices.
Identify opportunities to simplify processes, improve financial reporting, and leverage technology to enhance financial analysis quality and efficiency.
Share expertise, contribute to team development, and help establish consistent financial planning and reporting practices.