Carnegie Mellon University is a private, global research university
that stands among the world’s most renowned education institutions.
With ground-breaking brain science, path-breaking performances,
creative start-ups, big data, big ambitions, hands-on learning, and
a whole lot of robots, CMU doesn’t imagine the future, we invent
it. If you’re passionate about joining a community that challenges
the curious to deliver work that matters, your journey starts
here!
The Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Carnegie
Mellon offers a unique interdisciplinary program that enables you
to develop imaginative solutions to real-world engineering
problems. With access to cutting-edge research and technology, high
achieving, energetic - yet approachable - faculty, and an
innovative and flexible curriculum, we consistently rank among the
top engineering programs by US News and World Report.
The Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Carnegie
Mellon is seeking a Finance and Operations Coordinator to join our
team. This position supports sponsored research activities,
departmental finance and operations, and student financial
administration. The coordinator works collaboratively with faculty,
staff, students, the Engineering Research Accelerator, and other
university partners to ensure financial and administrative
responsibilities are completed accurately, efficiently, and in
accordance with university policies.
Core Responsibilities:
Labor Distribution, Costing, and Effort Administration
- Compile, track, enter, and maintain Oracle labor distribution
and costing allocations.
Work with faculty and the Engineering Research Accelerator’s
post-award team to compile and maintain planned labor
allocations.
Ensure that salary distributions align with faculty plans,
approved budgets, available funding, and project periods.
Process labor redistributions and resolve discrepancies
involving salary allocations.
Coordinate effort certification and summer effort processing,
working with faculty and appropriate university partners to support
timely and accurate completion.
Maintain accurate records and supporting documentation for
labor and effort transactions.
Research Administration
- In collaboration with the Engineering Research Accelerator’s
pre-award & post-award teams:
- Support faculty research account portfolio management: Monitor
research account balances, expenditures, commitments, planned
labor, funding periods, and other financial activity.
- Assist with financial projections, account reconciliation, cost
transfers, award setup, reporting, and closeout activities.
- Identify potential funding, spending, or allocation issues and
communicate them proactively to faculty, departmental leadership,
and research administration partners.
- Respond to faculty questions regarding research account
activity, available balances, allowable expenses, and relevant
university procedures.
- Synthesize information from financial systems, award
documentation, policies, and stakeholder input to support sound
account management and decision- making.
- Participate in meetings between faculty and the Engineering
Research Accelerator
- Attend RAC and College research administrator meetings, and
others as appropriate to maintain awareness of relevant policy,
process, and system changes and communicate important information
to others.
- Primary monitor for department shared “cee research “email
Financial Administration
- Process financial transactions, such as but not limited to;
account redistributions, cost transfers, professional development
funds, check deposits, purchase requisitions/purchase orders and
other departmental financial activity, as needed.
- Review project account transactions for accuracy, appropriate
authorization, available funding, supporting documentation, and
compliance with university policies.
- Reconcile project accounts financial activity, investigate
discrepancies, and work with appropriate university units to
resolve issues.
Student Employment, Scholarships, and Account Support
- Process student employment transactions in Workday, including
appointments and changes for PhD students, hourly research
assistants, teaching assistants, and graders.
- Coordinate with faculty, academic program staff, and university
partners to obtain complete and accurate information for student
appointments.
- Process graduate scholarships and financial aid through GRAD
AID and related university systems.
- Research and resolve student financial and employment issues by
consulting university systems, policies, and appropriate university
partners.
- Establish, monitor, reconcile, and report on Dean’s Fellowship
professional development funds.
- Administer and track student travel grants and awards,
including SURF, SURG, REU, GSA, and other departmental or
university funding if and as needed
Financial Reporting and Analysis for Project Accounts/Sponsored
Research
- Learn to run, interpret, and create financial and
administrative reports for faculty and departmental
leadership.
- Prepare reports at the individual account, faculty portfolio,
and department-wide levels.
- Identify inconsistencies or emerging concerns and follow
through with appropriate stakeholders to resolve them.
- Develop increasing proficiency with university reporting
systems and financial tools.
General Administration and Process Improvement
- Maintain accurate, organized, and confidential financial,
personnel, research, and student records.
- Manage multiple priorities, recurring transaction cycles, and
deadlines.
- Respond to questions from students, faculty, staff, and
university offices in a professional and timely manner.
- Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.
Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within
Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a team member who
can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and
external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for
someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of
the university through their work.
Qualifications:
- Associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business
administration, higher education administration, or a related
field. An equivalent combination of education and relevant
experience may be considered.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office
applications.
- Strong analytical reasoning, organizational skills, and
attention to detail.
- Ability to learn financial and administrative systems and
develop the skills needed to run, interpret, and create accurate
reports.
- Ability to synthesize information from multiple systems,
policies, procedures, and stakeholders to make sound decisions,
resolve issues, and fulfill responsibilities accurately.
- Self-directed and able to investigate and resolve problems
independently while recognizing when additional guidance or
expertise is needed.
- Willingness to seek information proactively and collaborate
with colleagues across departments and university units.
- Ability to manage changing priorities, high-volume periods,
recurring responsibilities, and deadlines.
- Strong individual and team communication skills.
- Professional, approachable, helpful, and friendly when working
with students, faculty, staff, and university partners.
- Ability to handle confidential student, personnel, research,
and financial information appropriately.
- Commitment to producing accurate, timely, and high-quality work
and meeting high performance expectations.
- A combination of education and relevant experience from which
comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.
Requirements:
- Successful background check
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!
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Job Function
Administrative Support and Coordination
Position Type
Staff – Regular
Full Time/Part time
Full time
Pay Basis
Hourly
More Information:
- 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
