What are the responsibilities and job description for the Business and Finance Manager position at Western Carolina University?
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
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
- 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 department’s administrative office and address any inefficiencies as needed. This also includes documenting processes and updating the Business Operations Manual.
- Manage and oversee each unit’s 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 accuracy and availability of funds.
- Review professional staff and student worker payroll verification each month.
- Verify payment status of all invoices and purchase orders.
- Review monthly billings from Facilities Management to ensure accuracy.
- Provide monthly NC Sales Tax information to Controller’s Office.
- Reconcile credit card transactions with SunTrust bank statement for the University’s Endowment Accountant.
- Serve on the DCA’s Leadership Team, assisting in guiding the overall management of the department.
- 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
Position Type
Permanent Full-Time
Number of Hours Per Week
40
Number of Months Per Year
12
Posting Text
Open Date
08/04/2026
Close Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
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 Jeff Hughes, Director for the Department of Campus Activities, at 828-227-3620.
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 Jeff Hughes, Director for the Department of Campus Activities, at 828-227-3620.
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.
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.
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.
Benefits:
Retirement Plan, Vacation & Paid Time Off, Dental Insurance