Executive Search at Carnegie Mellon University
Identifying and securing the leaders who shape our future.
As part of a fiscal year pilot initiative in January 2026, the CMU Executive Search team is partnering with university units to provide strategic recruitment support for leadership and executive-level searches across the institution. Our approach combines institutional knowledge, high-touch partnership and search expertise to help attract and engage exceptional talent.
We support searches for senior leadership and executive roles across academic and administrative areas, including positions such as Senior and Executive Director, Assistant and Associate Dean, Assistant and Associate Vice President or Vice Provost, and other leadership opportunities.
As your primary point of contact throughout the search process, our team provides personalized guidance and support—from position strategy and candidate outreach through onboarding and transition planning. We aim to create a seamless experience for hiring departments and candidates alike.
Why Partner With Us
Deep Institutional Insight
Leverage CMU-specific knowledge and strong campus relationships to align searches with organizational goals and culture.
High-Touch Partnership
Receive dedicated guidance and personalized support throughout every stage of the search process.
Expand Candidate Reach
Reach highly qualified candidates through strategic sourcing methods and broader talent networks.
Discretion and Integrity
Maintain confidentiality and trust through a professional and thoughtful search experience.
Current Searches
These searches reflect our commitment to supporting the university in attracting and onboarding leaders who will advance research, education and innovation at CMU. Explore active leadership searches currently supported by the Executive Search team. Visit Workday to learn more about these opportunities.
CIT
- Chief Advancement Officer – Isaacson, MIller
Computing Services
- AVP of Data and Artificial Intelligence – CMU Executive Search
Division of Student Affairs
- Senior Associate Vice President & Dean of Students – Isaacson, Miller
- Associate Vice President for Community Health and Well-Being – Isaacson, Miller
Office of the President
- Vice President and Chief Financial Officer – Spencer Stuart
Office of the Provost
- Director of Institutional Equity and Deputy Title IX & VI Coordinator – CMU Executive Search
Office of the Vice President for Research
- Director and CEO of Software Engineering Institute – Spencer Stuart
- AVP Research Computing and Data – Harris Search Associates
- AVP & Executive Director of the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship – Spencer Stuart
University Advancement
- Executive Director of Development and Major Gifts – CMU Executive Search
- Executive Director of Annual Giving Strategies – CMU Executive Search
- Director, Advancement Research – CMU Executive Search
- Senior Director, Advancement Communications and Marketing – CMU Executive Search
Past Searches
FY 2026
- Chief of Staff, Office of Vice President for Research – CMU Executive Search
- Assistant Dean, Mellon College of Science – CMU Executive Search
- Chief Operating Officer, Heinz College – CMU Executive Search
- Assistant Vice President for Budget and Finance, Office of Vice President for Research – Ferra Executive Search
- Chief Advancement Officer, Heinz College – Aspen Leadership Group
- Assistant Vice President for Systems Services, Computing Services – CMU Executive Search
- Assistant Vice President, IT Client Services, Computing Services – CMU Executive Search
- AVP, Marketing and Branding Strategy, University Communications and Marketing – Witt Kieffer
- Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and Dean of Admissions, Provost Office – Witt Kieffer
- Assistant Vice President of Research Security, Office of Vice President for Research – DHR Global
- Assistant Vice President of Research and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Vice President for Research – DHR Global
- Assistant Vice President for Advancement Communications and Marketing, University Advancement – Aspen Leadership Group
- Associate Vice President of Development, University Advancement – Aspen Leadership Group
- Associate Vice President of Strategic Philanthropic Initiatives and Principal Gifts, University Advancement – Aspen Leadership Group
- Chief Advancement Officer, Mellon College of Science – Isaacson, Miller
- Assistant Director/Training Program Director of Counseling and Psychological Services, Division of Student Affairs – Keeling & Associates
- Senior Program Director, Interdisciplinary Biomedical and Life Sciences Research Programs, Office of Vice President for Research – CMU Executive Search
- Senior Director, Strategy and Transformation for Enterprise Platforms, Computing Services – CMU Executive Search
- Assistant General Counsel, Office of General Counsel – CMU Executive Search
Explore Our Search Process
1. Intake and Position Definition
1. Intake and Position DefinitionWe partner with hiring leaders to build a tailored search strategy that addresses the role’s scope, budget and timeline. Beyond the job description, we identify the strategic impact this leader must deliver and the specific qualities required to thrive in CMU’s culture.
2. Candidate Sourcing and Outreach
2. Candidate Sourcing and OutreachWe conduct targeted outreach, national networking, market research and passive candidate sourcing using modern recruitment methods and AI-powered search tools to quickly identify skilled candidates and build a strong talent pool.
3. Candidate Review and Screening
3. Candidate Review and ScreeningWe collaborate with the search committee to review materials, identify semifinalists and conduct preliminary screening conversations.
4. Candidate Interviews and Assessments
4. Candidate Interviews and AssessmentsWe provide comprehensive interview coordination and facilitate structured feedback sessions with search committees to identify top candidates. We also conduct thorough reference checks on all semifinalist and finalist candidates to validate their qualifications and ensure alignment with institutional priorities before moving to the offer stage.
5. Offer, Negotiation and Closing
5. Offer, Negotiation and Closing We lead the final phase of the search, beginning with offer preparation and the verbal offer extension to the finalist. Our team manages all negotiations to reach a successful agreement, generates the official written offer and coordinates the required background checks to finalize the hire.
6. Onboarding and Transition Support
6. Onboarding and Transition SupportWe assist with onboarding planning to help new leaders make a strong start at CMU.
Meet The Team
Our team offers more than 40 years of combined recruitment experience across multiple industries, including more than five years in academia. We partner with both academic and administrative units on complex, high-impact leadership searches across the institution.
Known for our ability to identify, assess and secure world-class talent, we work closely with search committees to develop thoughtful, equitable search processes that ensure a seamless, best-in-class experience for candidates and campus stakeholders.
Megan Walter, Senior Director, Talent Acquisition
Megan Walter has over 13 years of experience in corporate and academic recruitment, specializing in staff and leadership roles. She leads high-performing searches by managing external partnerships, supporting key internal searches, and using a consultative approach and strong campus relationships to build teams and processes that strengthen operations and advance the university’s mission.
Contact Megan to engage an external firm and support your leadership search needs.
Chris Sciullo, Senior Recruiter
With nearly 20 years in corporate and academic recruitment, Chris Sciullo specializes in academic staff and leadership talent strategy. He leads the full search process—from defining role requirements to securing high-impact administrative and professional talent—while advising hiring leaders and helping build teams that support the university’s mission.Contact Chris to support your leadership search needs.
Matt Lemarie, Senior Recruiter
With over nine years of recruitment experience across financial services, business development, and higher education, Matt is a strategic partner to hiring managers and Advancement leadership. He identifies, attracts, and secures high-impact talent aligned with the university’s long-term goals, streamlines the hiring process for leadership, and delivers top-tier candidates that meet both departmental needs and broader university standards.
Contact Matt to support your leadership search needs.
What We Provide
Dedicated Executive Search Team
A specialized group of recruiters skilled in identifying, vetting and securing world-class talent.
Talent Advisor Partnership
A strategic partner who works closely with hiring leaders to define search strategy, advise on market competitiveness and ensure alignment with organizational and institutional goals.
Targeted Advertising
Job postings across standard executive-level advertising platforms (as outlined in CMU’s advertising guidance), maximizing visibility to top leadership talent. Any additional advertising is available at cost.
Interview and Travel Support
A dedicated coordination team to manage interview scheduling, candidate communication and travel arrangements—creating a seamless, professional experience for finalists and stakeholders.
Candidate Evaluation Tool
Structured 360° reference checks and access to leadership assessment tools to support informed, confident hiring decisions.
The Result
A streamlined, end-to-end search process that expands your reach to top-tier talent and ensures only highly qualified, thoroughly evaluated candidates advance for committee consideration.
Voices from the Search Experience
My experience partnering with OHR's Executive Search team was outstanding—every bit as strong as my experiences with external executive search firms. Chris was exceptionally proactive throughout the process, actively engaging candidates and guiding strategy in ways that directly contributed to an excellent outcome for MCS.
Daniel Kasper, Associate Dean for Finance, Mellon College of Science
Partnering with the OHR Executive Search team has been an exceptional experience in streamlining our processes and elevating the candidate journey. Matt Lemarie led several leadership searches within University Advancement with remarkable professionalism, strategic insight, and proactive communication. The OHR team consistently delivers a gold standard of service and has been a highly valued partner in recruiting top-tier talent.
Jill Berger, Assistant Vice President, Advancement Operations, University Advancement
Partnering with CMU's internal Executive Search team has been a genuine pleasure. They're thoughtful, detail-oriented, and remarkably efficient, bringing real focus and follow-through to every stage of the search process.
Stan Waddell, Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, Computing Services
Working with the Human Resources Executive Search team was an excellent experience. Their partnership, professionalism, and thoughtful approach helped bring forward a numerous and diverse slate of candidates, giving us a strong range of possibilities and confidence throughout the search process.
David Baisley, Associate Vice President and Deputy CIO, Computing Services
Start a Conversation
We welcome the opportunity to support your unit’s next leadership search. To request support or discuss an upcoming search, please get in touch with CMUExecutiveSearch@andrew.cmu.edu.