Western Carolina University
Department: Human Resources and Payroll
Type: Full-Time
Salary: Based on qualifications/experience, internal equity, and departmental budget restrictions.
Posted: 2026-10-22
Category: Human Resources
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 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
- 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's 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 'America's 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 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC system's 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).
Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and Payroll, the Director of HR Systems and Data Management provides strategic leadership and hands-on management of the University's human resources information systems, data governance, reporting, and process improvement efforts. The position ensures that HR systems and data are accurate, reliable, secure, and integrated to support effective operations, informed decision-making, and compliance with institutional and external reporting requirements.
Serving as a working supervisor, the director leads staff responsible for HR systems, data management, and personnel, position, and compensation transactions while contributing directly to system administration, troubleshooting, data validation, and reporting. The position partners with HR functional units, Information Technology, Institutional Planning, and external service providers to strengthen system capabilities, establish data standards and operating procedures, and improve service delivery through automation and workflow redesign.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of HR information systems, HR and payroll business processes, and the relationships among personnel, position, and compensation data.
- Knowledge of data governance, data security, quality assurance, and reporting practices that support accurate records and institutional compliance.
- Skill in enterprise system administration, troubleshooting, integration, testing, and workflow improvement.
- Ability to analyze complex datasets, develop reports and dashboards, and communicate findings and technical information clearly to varied audiences.
- Ability to lead and develop staff, manage competing priorities, and collaborate across functional and technical teams to improve systems and service delivery.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position: Minimum Qualifications
- Interested candidates must already be legally authorized to work in the United States and will not require any immigration sponsorship or support.
- Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience, and a minimum of four years of progressively responsible professional experience in human resources information systems (HRIS), data management, business intelligence, analytics, reporting, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated experience administering or supporting enterprise systems, including system configuration, testing, troubleshooting, reporting, data validation, and process improvement.
- Demonstrated experience working with large datasets, data governance practices, reporting tools, and regulatory or compliance-related reporting requirements.
- Demonstrated experience with HR or payroll data processing, transaction review, reconciliation, quality control, or a comparable high-volume administrative data function.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Ellucian Banner HR/Payroll systems, or comparable enterprise applications.
- Familiarity with enterprise data environments or data warehouses (e.g., UNC DataMart or similar).
- Experience supervising professional staff, leading technical teams, or managing complex system implementations.
- Experience supervising a transactional processing team or overseeing post-hire employment and salary action processing, including responsibility for payroll-cycle deadlines in a complex organization.
Position Type: Permanent Full-Time
Special Instructions to Applicants
To be considered, you must apply online. Hard copy materials will not be accepted for review.
Applicants must attach a cover letter, current resume, and a listing of at least three professional references (including complete contact information with name, title, address, email, and phone) in order to complete the application.
For questions and additional information, please contact Cory Causby at causby@email.wcu.edu
AA/EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.
University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.
To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/35768