Budget Director - #005192

Western Carolina University

• $88K — $105K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field plus 3-5 years of experience, or a bachelor's degree with 5-8 years of experience in budget administration.
  • Knowledge of UNC System budgeting and North Carolina Office of Budget Policies.
  • Skill in financial analysis, budget modeling, and revenue forecasting.
  • Ability to lead and manage a team effectively.
  • Proficiency in enterprise resource planning systems and advanced spreadsheet analysis.

Responsibilities

  • Provide comprehensive financial planning and ongoing budget monitoring for university departments.
  • Maintain oversight of operating and capital budgets administration.
  • Serve as a liaison with the state budget office and UNC System Office for fiscal matters.
  • Support campus leadership in budgeting best practices and financial compliance.
  • Prepare the all-funds budget and manage annual tuition and fee processes.

Benefits

  • Permanent full-time position with a standard 40-hour work week.
  • Opportunity to directly impact financial decision-making at an institutional level.
  • Chance to work closely with university leadership and external state agencies.
Full Job Description
Posting Details

Posting Information

Posting Number
EHRA1134P

Quick Link for Internal Postings
https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/35568

Classification Title
Director

Working Title
Budget Director - #005192

Department
Budget Office

Anticipated Hiring Range
Based on qualifications/experience, internal equity, and departmental budget restrictions.

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 University Budget Director serves as the chief budget planning and financial oversight officer for Western Carolina University, reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Fiscal Affairs and supporting the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance. This position provides comprehensive financial planning, projections, consulting, and ongoing monitoring of all university departments and personnel.

The Budget Director maintains daily oversight of the administration of WCU's operating and capital budgets, serves as institutional liaison to the Office of State Budget and Management and the University of North Carolina System Office, and supports campus leadership through instruction on budgeting best practices, financial modeling, compliance frameworks, and oversight processes.

The position holds responsibility for budget reporting, position control, the annual tuition and fee process, revenue forecasting, preparation of the all-funds budget, and all related fiscal year management activities.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Knowledge of state accounting principles, UNC System budgeting policies, state of North Carolina Office of Budget and Management policies, and higher education financial management.
  • Skill in financial analysis, budget modeling, and revenue forecasting.
  • Ability to lead and manage professional staff.
  • Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-financial audiences.
  • Proficiency with enterprise resource planning systems and advanced spreadsheet analysis.
  • Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and tight deadlines in a complex institutional environment.
  • Ability to make presentations to the Executive Council and the University Board of Trustees.


Minimum Qualifications
  • Interested candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employment sponsorship or any other immigration-related assistance.
  • A master's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or similarly related field plus three to five years' related experience or a bachelor's degree with five to eight years of progressively responsible experience in budget administration, preferably in higher education.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Five years of experience working in the budget office of a UNC member institution as an analyst or higher position or working as an analyst in the Office of State Budget and Management.
  • Familiarity with the Banner Finance module.
  • Experience with data organization tools such as advanced excel functions.
  • Familiarity with Department of Public Instruction fiscal policies for lab school financial management.


Position Type
Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours Per Week
40

Number of Months Per Year
12

Posting Text

Open Date
09/28/2026

Close Date

Open Until Filled
Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants

To be considered, you must apply online.

Attach a cover letter, current resume, and a list of professional references (including complete contact information with name, title, address, email, and phone) to complete the application.

For questions and additional information, please contact David Steinbicker at [email protected]

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