Executive Assistant - #002171

Western Carolina University; Cullowhee, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 37,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition waivers

Paid holidays

Training & development programs

Community service leave

Job summary

Western Carolina University seeks an experienced executive-level administrator to support the Office of the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs. The role coordinates faculty processes, maintains records, and manages budgets, reporting to the Associate Provost.

The position requires strong communication, organizational skills, and the ability to handle confidential matters with discretion. On-site work in Cullowhee, NC with collaboration across UNC System partners.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of academic affairs operations, faculty processes, and related policies.
• Ability to coordinate complex administrative processes, maintain records, monitor budgets and funds.
• Strong written and oral communication, able to prepare and present information to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated organization, independence, and ability to manage competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive-level administrative, program, and project support for Academic Affairs.
• Coordinate faculty processes including AA-21, reappointment, tenure, promotion and post-tenure review.
• Maintain formal faculty records and databases; prepare/edit reports and correspondence.
• Monitor budgets and internal grant processes; liaise with departments, colleges, and UNC System partners.
• Exercise independent judgment to organize work and ensure timely completion of responsibilities.

Skills

Academic affairs knowledge

Budget monitoring

Written/oral communication

Organization/attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree (preferred) in business administration or related

Associate’s degree with 1 year experience

High school diploma or equivalent with 3 years experience

Equivalent combination of training/experience

Job description

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.

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 subject to the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act ( SHRA ). This position reports to the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and provides executive-level administrative, program, and project support for the Office of the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs. The position coordinates and supports faculty-focused processes including faculty qualifications review (AA-21), reappointment, tenure, promotion, post-tenure review, faculty development programs, faculty immigration sponsorship, professional development grants, academic affairs events, and related committees. Work includes maintaining formal faculty records and databases, preparing and editing correspondence and reports, monitoring budgets and internal grant processes, consulting with departments and colleges, coordinating with campus and UNC System partners, and exercising independent judgment to organize work, resolve issues, and ensure accurate and timely completion of assigned responsibilities. The position functions at the Journey competency level.

Must be eligible to work in the United States without any immigration-related assistance or employment sponsorship.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position

• Working knowledge of academic affairs operations, faculty personnel processes, faculty development programs, and related university policies, procedures, and deadlines.
• Ability to coordinate complex administrative processes, maintain accurate records and databases, monitor budgets and program funds, and identify issues requiring follow-up or escalation.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare, edit, and present clear information for faculty, administrators, committees, campus partners, and UNC System contacts.
• Demonstrated organization, attention to detail, independent judgment, and interpersonal skills needed to manage competing priorities, support confidential matters, and provide responsive service to internal and external constituents.

Minimum Qualifications

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an ‘equivalent combination of education and experience.’ If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. High school diploma or equivalency and three years of progressively responsible administrative/office management experience; or Associate’s degree in secretarial science, business administration, or a related discipline and one year of progressively responsible administrative/office management experience ; or Bachelor’s degree, preferably in business administration or a related discipline; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Anticipated Hiring Range

Position Type

Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours per Week

40

Number of Months per Year

12

Salary Band Range

$37,306 - $86,062

Salary Grade

For administrative purposes during the implementation of Career Banding this journey level posiiton is considered a Salary Grade 64

Posting Text

Open Date

09/16/2026

Close Date

09/30/2026

Open Until Filled

No

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.

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.

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 [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.

Required Documents

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• Resume
• List of references

Optional Documents

• DD-214
• NGB 23A (RPAS)
• DD256 or NGB22

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
  • HigherEdJobs.com
  • Inside Higher Ed
  • HERC - Higher Education Recruitment Consortium
  • Website - Jobs.wcu.edu
  • Indeed.com
  • Personal Referral
  • Agency Referral
  • Other