Assistant Vice President, Research Budget and Financial Planning

Carnegie Mellon University - Pittsburgh, PA

Full-time - Senior

Pittsburgh, PA

Educational Services

About the position

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), one of the nation's premier research universities with a $600 million research enterprise and an engine of innovation and entrepreneurial activity, seeks an Assistant Vice President, Research Budget and Financial Planning, a new position in the Office of the Vice President of Research (OVPR) reporting to the Vice President for Research and dotted line to the Chief Financial Officer that will play a central role at Carnegie Mellon in financial planning and strategies that will enhance excellence across the university's research and innovation enterprise. The Assistant Vice President, Research Budget and Financial Planning provides strategic direction and oversight of business and financial operations that support CMU's research and innovation enterprise. This individual will support the organizations of the VPR and the CFO and work collaboratively with the Provost's Office and Colleges to enhance university-wide operating models and financial practices for major research initiatives and infrastructure, federated/franchised research operations, applied research units, technology transfer, and start-ups; and to enable operational excellence and efficiency by improving policies, processes, and practices to reduce duplication and cost throughout the university.

Responsibilities

• Advising and guiding university leadership on effective, efficient, and transparent operational and financial practices to support a leading academic research and innovation enterprise.
• Collaborating with academic unit leaders, faculty, and staff to identify and prioritize areas for continuous improvement for maximum positive impact to the research enterprise.
• Developing and implementing financial models, forecasting, and revenue targets for research initiatives.
• Developing and implementing innovative business models and cost-recovery strategies for major experimental and computational shared user research facilities and an applied research unit engaged in commercial contracting.
• Aligning financial planning with strategic research goals, ensuring accurate budgeting, and creating sustainable revenue models to support ongoing innovation and commercialization efforts.
• Delivering data-driven information and research to support decision-making and strategic goals in alignment with applicable finance and contracting laws and regulations.
• Overseeing the selection, implementation, and management of systems and processes that improve the accuracy and transparency of research financial forecasting, project-level budget development and projections, and non-financial commitments.
• Supporting the evaluation of strategic research opportunities, including major research program investments, facilities and instruments, service agreements, partnerships, and alliances.
• Building, recruiting, managing, and mentoring the OVPR finance staff, and overseeing the preparation and implementation of the annual operating budget for the OVPR.
• Driving financial strategy and consensus on competitive research proposals for funding programs, while ensuring alignment with institutional financial goals.
• Serving as a primary contact for the Office of Budget and Financial Planning, Office of the Academic Budget, and as a senior member of the university Budget Team.
• Promoting greater understanding of research finance across campus and championing these efforts.

Requirements

• BA/BS in business or management, engineering, science, or related field of study.
• Minimum eight (8) years of relevant professional work experience, with at least five (5) years in senior leadership roles in research finance and administration.
• Experience in developing and implementing financial models, forecasting, budgeting, and setting revenue targets for research initiatives.
• Knowledge of federal finance and commercial contracting, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Experience with business processes, operations, management, and budget, ideally with understanding of in research administration in higher education.
• Experience in identifying and refining financial strategies to enhance research outcomes, innovation and commercialization efforts.
• Experience collaborating with senior leadership to generate annual budgets aligned with organizational strategy, providing financial scenarios, and financial reporting.
• Exceptional communication skills, interpersonal skills, diplomacy and the ability to interact and build trusted relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• High administrative and analytical skills, able to see patterns, be a fast thinker, and make decisions with attention to accuracy, detail and local context.
• Skilled supervisor and coach, able to motivate and inspire through influence.
• Experience working in a higher education environment and/or a non-profit managing a diverse portfolio of projects funded by a wide range of government and non-government sponsors is preferred.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings program offering a generous employer contribution.
• Tuition benefits.
• Ample paid time off and observed holidays.
• Life and accidental death and disability insurance.
• Free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass.
• Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs.
• Fitness center access.