Director, Academic Resources & Business Operations

About WCU:

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including:
2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary:

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).

The Director of Academic Resources and Business Operations will report directly to the Provost and will be the Provosts designee for academic budgeting and staffing initiatives. Responsibilities include:

• Oversight, coordination, development and evaluation of multiple business operations for the division, including staffing (EHRA Faculty) and budgeting.
• Analysis, evaluation, and creation of policies/procedures to improve management functions throughout the division.
• Signature authority for the Provost for academic budget and staffing initiatives.
• Oversight, guidance and support to deans and other academic leadership regarding staffing (hiring of EHRA faculty positions) and budgeting
• Strategic and visionary budget planning
• Serving as liaison between Academic Affairs and the Division of Administration and Finance.
• Specific initiatives as assigned by the Provost.
• Creation of monthly and ad hoc budget reports and review of these reports with the Provost.
• Provision of training and professional development for divisions budget/finance staff to include respective college budget officers.

This position is a key member of the Provosts executive team.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Legal authorization to work in the United States without the need for current or future employment sponsorship.
• Bachelors degree in business field, including accounting or closely related discipline with at least three (3) years experience in the field
• Strong analytical, accounting and budgeting skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master of Accounting, Master of Public Administration, or Master of Business Administration
• Experience working in Higher Education
• Experience with Banner Finance, Banner HR, and SharePoint
• Experience in data analysis and visualization
• Superior oral and written communication skills
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
• Superior interpersonal skills

Position Type:

Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include a cover letter, current resume and a list of three professional references with complete contact information.

For questions or additional information please contact Morgan Burnett, Search Committee Chair, at cmburnett@email.wcu.edu