The University of Texas at Austin has announced the appointment of Brian Smith as its new Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective January 6, 2025. Smith currently holds the position of Associate Vice President for Finance at the University of Michigan.
In his new role, Smith will manage UT Austin's $4 billion budget and provide strategic financial direction to support the university's evolving needs. He will also work closely with President Jay Hartzell to align financial strategies with the institution's academic, research, and healthcare missions.
"We are thrilled to welcome Brian as the newest member of our University's leadership team," Hartzell stated. "His leadership experience and proven track record across all financial and investment functions enable him to be a strong steward of University resources that will maintain affordability for our students, support continued excellence in academics and research, and enable our vision of student success leading to promising careers. Brian’s strategic vision and commitment to financial integrity will help us navigate the complexities of higher education finance and ensure the continued success of the University for years and decades to come."
Smith brings extensive experience from his tenure at the University of Michigan, where he oversaw various financial operations including accounting, enterprise risk management, financial planning, insurance, payroll, procurement, real estate, sponsored programs, tax, and treasury. In 2021, he served as Interim Executive Vice President for Business and Finance.
"I am honored to join The University of Texas at Austin as its next Chief Financial Officer," Smith expressed. "I look forward to collaborating with the University community to ensure the University's financial sustainability and to support its mission of providing world-class education and research opportunities. Together, we will continue to build on UT Austin’s legacy of excellence and innovation."
Prior to his role at Michigan, Smith was Senior Assistant Vice Chancellor and Treasurer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His previous experience includes management positions at Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo) over an 11-year period.
Smith holds a Bachelor’s degree in economics from UNC-Chapel Hill and completed an Advanced Management Program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.