The State University of New York Board of Trustees on Thursday appointed Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute fiscal administrator Eileen G. McLoughlin as SUNY’s new vice chancellor for finance and chief financial officer.

McLoughlin will be in charge of the university system’s budget, now at $12 billion, as well as strategic infrastructure management and operations.

McLoughlin is the current assistant vice president of finance and budgeting at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).

“Eileen is a talented finance professional with more than 15 years of experience navigating the unique challenges of a university budget, and we are delighted to have her join the SUNY team,” said Board Chairman H. Carl McCall. “Thank you to Bob Haelen for his service as interim CFO since last August, and to all of the staff at system administration and on our campuses who have supported him during the transition.”

“Managing the finances of the largest system of higher education in the country is an insurmountable task, and I thank Eileen for her willingness to undertake this challenge . . . ,” added said SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, who is developing a new five-year plan.

McLoughlin’s salary will be $224,415 a year.