Senior Financial Analyst

Required qualifications

• 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 the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
• We're looking for someone who is analytical, curious, and comfortable working with both financial data and people. The ideal candidate can independently manage complex financial responsibilities while building relationships and helping others understand the financial implications of their decisions.

Preferred qualifications

• 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.
• What Will Help You Succeed
• You will thrive in this role if you enjoy understanding the story behind the numbers, asking thoughtful questions, and finding practical solutions. You should be comfortable working independently, engaging with stakeholders at different levels, and balancing attention to detail with an understanding of the bigger picture.
• Most importantly, we're looking for someone who recognizes that strong financial analysis is not simply about reporting what happened — it's about helping the organization make better decisions about what comes next.
• Location
• Pittsburgh, PA
• Job Function
• Financial Planning, Analysis, Accounting and Reporting
• Position Type
• Staff – Regular
• Full time/Part time
• Full time
• Pay Basis
• Salary
• Please visit “ Why Carnegie Mellon ” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
• Click here to view a listing of employee benefits
• Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.
• Statement of Assurance

Location

• Pittsburgh, PA
• Job Function
• Financial Planning, Analysis, Accounting and Reporting
• Position Type
• Staff – Regular
• Full time/Part time
• Full time
• Pay Basis
• Salary

More Information:

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary financial resource for assigned directorates, building relationships with technical managers and leadership to understand their priorities, challenges, and financial needs.
• Analyze financial performance, identify emerging trends and risks, and translate complex data into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Evaluate the financial implications of funding, staffing, and workload decisions to help leaders effectively plan and manage resources.
• Develop financial reports, dashboards, and presentations that communicate meaningful insights rather than simply reporting results.
• Take ownership of budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis for assigned areas, ensuring financial projections reflect current business conditions and anticipated needs.
• Facilitate monthly financial reviews with technical managers and budget leads, challenging assumptions, evaluating performance, and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Support long-range planning, scenario analysis, and resource allocation decisions that contribute to organizational sustainability.
• Monitor financial performance throughout the lifecycle of research programs, helping identify and mitigate funding, execution, and financial risks.
• Collaborate with colleagues across 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 the quality and efficiency of financial analysis.
• Share expertise, contribute to team development, and help establish consistent, effective financial planning and reporting practices.
• What We're Looking For
• We're looking for someone who is analytical, curious, and comfortable working with both financial data and people. The ideal candidate can independently manage complex financial responsibilities while building relationships and helping others understand the financial implications of their decisions.