Business and Finance Manager - #212915

Western Carolina University; Cullowhee (NC); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Carolina University is hiring a Business and Finance Manager to oversee the departments daily financial operations, budgets and reporting. The role coordinates two permanent coordinators, manages multi-million dollar budgets, and ensures contract, payroll and invoicing processes are accurate.

Based on the responsibilities, the position requires strong accounting, supervision and process improvement skills, with a focus on compliance and cost control.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in business administration, public administration, or related field from an accredited institution.
• Equivalent combination of training and experience accepted.
• Final candidates subject to background checks and credential verification.

Responsibilities

• Supervises, guides, onboards, and evaluates one permanent full-time Business Operations Coordinator and one permanent full-time Business Services Coordinator.
• Coordinate, supervise and evaluate the daily workflow within the departments administrative office and address inefficiencies; update the Business Operations Manual.
• Manage and oversee each units operational budget (approximately $2.5 million) and Campus Activities reserve account (approximately $2.1 million).
• Assist the Director in creating budget projections each year.
• Create and provide monthly budget reports to the Director of DCA and each accountable officer.
• Serve as designee to all DCA accounts.
• Review, edit, and track performance contracts (approximately 100 per academic year) to ensure funds are available.
• Review professional staff and student worker payroll verification monthly.
• Verify payment status of all invoices and purchase orders.
• Review monthly billings from Facilities Management for accuracy.
• Provide monthly NC Sales Tax information to Controllers Office.
• Reconcile credit card transactions with SunTrust bank statements for the Universitys Endowment Accountant.
• Participate on the DCA Leadership Team and assist in guiding department management.

Skills

Budget management

Education

Bachelor7s degree in business administration, public administration, or related business area

Job description

Business and Finance Manager - #212915

Location: Cullowhee, NC.

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours Per Week: 40

Number of Months Per Year: 12

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.

• 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.
• tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses.
• free group exercise classes multiple times per week.
• 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 Business and Finance Manager reports to the Director of the Department of Campus Activities (DCA) and serves as a member of the senior leadership team in DCA. The Business and Finance Manager supervises, guides, onboards, and evaluates one permanent full-time Business Operations Coordinator and one permanent full-time Business Services Coordinator.

This position coordinates, supervises, and evaluates the daily workflow within the business administrative unit and addresses any inefficiencies as needed. This also includes documenting processes and updating the Business Operations’ Manual. This position is responsible for managing and overseeing each unit’s operational budget totaling approximately $3 million, as well as the DCA reserve account totaling approximately $2.1 million.

This position tracks performance contracts and ensures that funds are available before contracts are executed. This position also reviews and tracks professional staff and student worker payroll verification, ensuring accuracy in payment and separation. In addition, this position verifies payment status of all invoices and purchase orders, and creates cash flow statements as needed. This position also reviews monthly billings from Facilities Management to ensure accuracy.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Supervises, guides, onboards, and evaluates one permanent full-time Business Operations Coordinator and one permanent full-time Business Services Coordinator
2. Coordinate, supervise and evaluate the daily workflow within the department’s administrative office and address any inefficiencies as needed. This also includes documenting processes and updating the Business Operations Manual.
3. Manage and oversee each unit’s operational budget (approximately $2.5 million) and Campus Activities’ reserve account (approximately $2.1 million).
4. Assist the Director in creating budget projections each year.
5. Create and provide monthly budget reports to the Director of DCA and each accountable officer.
6. Serve as designee to all DCA accounts.
7. Review, edit, and track performance contracts (approximately 100 per academic year) to ensure accuracy and availability of funds.
8. Review professional staff and student worker payroll verification each month.
9. Verify payment status of all invoices and purchase orders.
10. Review monthly billings from Facilities Management to ensure accuracy.
11. Provide monthly NC Sales Tax information to Controller’s Office.
12. Reconcile credit card transactions with SunTrust bank statement for the University’s Endowment Accountant.
13. Serve on the DCA’s Leadership Team, assisting in guiding the overall management of the department.
14. Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, or related business area; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Preferred Qualifications

None listed.

Background/E-Verify

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

Credential Verification

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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 [phone] or email at [e-mail].

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.