Greater Chicago Midwest HERC

Carnegie Mellon University invites nominations and applications for the role of Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer--a key member of the executive leadership team responsible for guiding the university's financial strategy, operational excellence, and long-term fiscal health in an increasingly complex and dynamic environment.

Carnegie Mellon University's next Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will join the institution at a pivotal moment, when the stakes are high, the opportunities are significant, and thoughtful financial stewardship can boost the impact of one of the world's most influential research universities.

CMU enters this next chapter with a strong financial foundation in place. The opportunity for the CFO is to elevate the strategic financial stewardship of the institution and to ensure that the excellence of financial systems, processes, and high-performing teams required to support the future of CMU are in place. Serving as a strategic thought partner to the president and senior leadership team, the CFO will act as the university's principal financial and business advisor and as a key point of coordination among deans, academic leaders, and business officers across a large, complex, and highly decentralized institution.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Charged with stewardship of the university's financial strategy and supporting infrastructure, the CFO will provide leadership and oversight across all financial resources, while maintaining the highest standards of institutional integrity, transparency, and accountability. In close partnership with the president, provost, and senior administrative leaders, this role calls for intellectual curiosity, strategic insight, and a forward-looking perspective to ensure that the finance function continues to evolve alongside the institution's ambitions.

This role is also responsible for overseeing the agenda, engagement, and trustee relationships of the Board's Finance Committee and Audit Committee.

Beyond operational excellence, the CFO will be known for anticipating issues before they surface and identifying opportunities before they become apparent. This leader will apply rigorous analysis, systems thinking, and sound judgment to complex questions, helping university leadership navigate tradeoffs, allocate resources effectively, and position CMU for long-term sustainable growth. The CFO will strengthen already robust Treasury, planning & budgeting, capital allocation, and financial control & reporting processes by bringing sharp foresight, insightful scenario modeling, and deep integration of financial data into strategic decision making.

A central aspect of the role will be assessing continuously how the financial operating model supports CMU's academic and research priorities and adjusting course as conditions change. Working collaboratively across colleges, schools, and units, the CFO will leverage CMU's highly decentralized model as a source of innovation, while strengthening enterprise-wide visibility, coordination, and accountability. This allows the institution to balance enterprise-wide needs with local flexibility, ensuring that data, forecasting, and reporting meaningfully inform decisions at all levels without constraining innovation - what CMU is known for!

Equally important, the CFO will be a future-focused leader adept at guiding a complex research university through ongoing change. A strong understanding of capital structure, investment strategy, liquidity planning, operating efficiency, and compliance across federal, state, and sponsor-driven environments will be essential. With a proactive mindset and an ability to "see around corners," the CFO will help ensure that CMU remains financially resilient, strategically agile, and well-positioned to pursue bold initiatives in the years ahead.

In short, we are looking for a CFO capable of boldly positioning CMU for long-term sustainability and continued leadership as a global model for research, education, and impact.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports to: President

Direct reports:

• Associate Vice President for Finance and Controller
• Associate Vice President for Budget and Financial Planning
• Associate Vice President and Treasurer
• Assistant Vice President of Procurement and Payments
• Director, Finance Training and Communications
• Director, Business Applications Development and Support (dotted line; directly reports to computing services)
• Executive Assistant to the Vice President and CFO, and Manager of Finance Division Administrative Operations

Key auxiliary enterprises and cost centers, such as Housing and Dining, will also maintain a dotted-line relationship to the CFO--ensuring a clear line of sight into performance, strong financial discipline, and institutional accountability, while preserving their close operational alignment with their core reporting unit.

Other Key Relationships:

• Board of Trustees (esp. Finance and Audit committees)
• CMU Senior Leadership Team
• Deans and School/College-level business leaders
• External auditors, outsourced internal auditors, bankers, and rating agencies

DESIRED OUTCOMES:

• In partnership with the president and other key leaders, advance the president's vision and CMU's mission of creating and advancing knowledge for the benefit of society.
• Elevate the strategic financial stewardship of the institution through the implementation of the financial rigor necessary to ensure stability and growth across all levels of the university, ensuring that CMU continues to lead with both entrepreneurial agility and financial discipline.
• Instill the discipline of consistently framing choices, evaluating tradeoffs, and aligning financial strategy with institutional priorities, bringing greater clarity and consistency to decision-making across a highly decentralized environment.
• Modernize and streamline the university's financial infrastructure, workforce, and systems, including the planning, reporting, and budgeting processes.
• Elevate an already talented team through professional development, mentoring, and other personnel management initiatives. Build strong leadership depth and succession capability.

CRITICAL LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES:

Strategic Financial Leadership: In an organization with a commitment to growth and innovation, this individual will partner closely with the president and senior leadership team to develop and optimize the financial assets to support the strategic priorities of the university by:

• Serving as a key advisor to the president, senior leadership, and board, helping frame choices, evaluate tradeoffs, and align financial strategy with institutional ambition.
• Anticipating financial challenges and opportunities and developing plans to support the institution in addressing both.
• In partnership with the president, develop and maintain an institution-wide, long-range, strategic financial plan.
• Shaping and advancing financial strategies that enable informed decision-making, while balancing innovation, discipline, and risk.

Leading Change and Driving Results: Provide the business and financial leadership to execute effectively on key strategic initiatives, manage institutional resources and risk, and maintain financial strength in an ever-challenging fiscal environment by:

• Evaluating and making the necessary changes to continuously modernize and streamline the university's financial infrastructure and systems, and to the planning, reporting, and budgeting processes.
• Fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the central finance organization and across the distributed, campus-wide finance function.
• Effectively coaching, developing, and leading staff to simultaneously meet team and institutional responsibilities and support the development of the team and each individual.
• Building trust and driving changes in a consensus-driven environment, with the ability to understand the relational as well as financial dynamics.

Collaborating and Influencing: Forge a strong partnership with the president, senior leadership team, and others across the university community who are essential to effective leadership by:

• Building collaborative, mutually respectful working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including deans, business officers, and the board of trustees.
• Soliciting and considering input from a variety of stakeholders, engaging in collegial, constructive dialogue to embed a culture of transparency and collaboration.
• Building relationships at all levels within CMU, fostering a trusting and supportive environment, while leading through influence and modeling the increased emphasis on financial rigor and accountability.
• Negotiating with a genuine give-and-take approach that takes all parties' perspectives into account.
• Demonstrating a deep sense of stewardship for the institution as a whole--balancing local priorities with enterprise needs, and ensuring that financial decisions advance CMU's long-term mission, resilience, and global leadership.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE/BACKGROUND:

• Academic Qualifications: Strong academic credentials required, including a preference for an MBA and/or related graduate degree(s).
• Senior Financial Management Experience: At least 15 years of senior-level financial leadership roles in large, complex, multi-faceted organizations. Experience with an academic or research-intensive environment is a plus.

A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered

In addition to the above qualifications and credentials, CMU's next CFO should demonstrate:

• Strategic Leadership and Collaboration: Strategic and forward-thinking approach, with the ability to serve as a partner and advisor to the president, as well as collaborate closely with other members of the executive management team. Demonstrated success in strategic financial planning, budget management, and financial operations.
• Team Leadership: A collaborative leader with experience providing operational leadership and mentorship to a talented team, including best-in-class professional development opportunities for staff.
• Mission Orientation: A demonstrated passion for CMU's academic mission and a clear appreciation for the university's distinctive role at the intersection of technology, society, and global impact.
• Translator across Domains: Demonstrated ability to translate complex financial insights into clear, actionable guidance for academic and administrative leaders across disciplines.
• Board Partnership: Demonstrated ability to collaborate closely with the board of trustees, serving as a trusted strategic partner and advisor on financial stewardship, risk, and long-term institutional priorities.

Additional Requirements:

• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check
• Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for CMU in the United States. CMU will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. Carnegie Mellon is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Carnegie Mellon.

SEARCH PROCESS AND INSTRUCTIONS:

Spencer Stuart, a global executive search and leadership advisory firm, has been retained by Carnegie Mellon University to support this search.

While this position is posted in Workday for visibility, all applications, nominations, and inquiries should be submitted directly to Spencer Stuart.

For full consideration, all inquiries, nominations, and applications (CVs and letters of interest) should be sent electronically and in confidence to: CMUCFO@SpencerStuart.com.

All submissions will be handled with strict confidentiality.

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.

Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it's about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!

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