Director of Advancement Business Operations - #270008

Western Carolina University

$80K — $95K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, or related field.
  • 5+ years of administrative or business management experience.
  • Strong knowledge of GAAP, GASB, FASB, and IRS requirements.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and specific financial software such as Banner Finance and Raiser’s Edge.
  • Ability to interpret and apply donor intent and financial procedures.

Responsibilities

  • Manage business, financial, and operational affairs of the Division of Advancement.
  • Administer and monitor state funds, private gifts, investment earnings, and scholarships.
  • Ensure compliance with donor intent, university requirements, and applicable regulations.
  • Collaborate with Advancement leadership and campus business officers on financial oversight.
  • Support efficient operation of the division and foundation through accurate budgeting and reporting.

Benefits

  • Permanent full-time position with standard 40-hour work week.
  • Opportunity to work on-site in Cullowhee, NC.
  • Engagement with financial management in a higher education and nonprofit context.
Full Job Description
Posting Details

Posting Information

Posting Number
EHRA1108P

Quick Link for Internal Postings
https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/34952

Classification Title
Director

Working Title
Director of Advancement Business Operations - #270008

Department
Advancement Services

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 Director of Advancement Business Operations manages the business, financial, and operational affairs of the Division of Advancement and supports financial oversight of WCU Foundation activities. This position administers and monitors state-appropriated funds, private gifts, investment earnings, scholarship-related funds, and other financial resources to support accurate budgeting, reconciliation, reporting, purchasing, fund distribution, and compliance with donor intent, university requirements, and applicable regulations. The position reports to the Executive Director of Advancement Services and works closely with Advancement leadership, campus business officers, Administration and Finance, and other internal partners to support the efficient operation of the division and foundation.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge
  • Working knowledge of GAAP, GASB, FASB, IRS requirements, UNC business practices, CASE counting standards, and applicable WCU policies and procedures.
  • Knowledge of budget administration, fund accounting, gift and scholarship fund management, purchasing, accounts payable, asset management, and financial reporting.


Skills
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel, and use of Microsoft Teams, Banner Finance, Raiser's Edge NXT and Raiser's Edge database view, electronic purchasing systems, and IT asset management forms.
  • Skill in reviewing, reconciling, validating, and reporting financial data accurately and clearly.
  • Strong communication and customer-service skills for working with Advancement staff, campus business officers, and internal partners.


Abilities
  • Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accuracy in a detail-oriented financial environment.
  • Ability to perform budget reconciliations, validate daily deposit reports, monitor fund activity, and identify discrepancies or needed corrections.
  • Ability to interpret and apply donor intent, gift agreements, university policies, and applicable financial procedures.


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 in business administration, public administration, or related business area and five years of administrative management or business management experience or equivalent combination of training and experience.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.
  • Experience working in a higher education, university advancement, foundation, government, or similar nonprofit financial environment.
  • Experience using Banner Finance and electronic purchasing systems.
  • Certified Public Accountant credential.


Position Type
Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours Per Week
40

Number of Months Per Year
12

Posting Text

Open Date
08/12/2026

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.

To complete the application process, please include a cover letter, your current resume, and a list of at least three professional references with their complete contact information.

For questions or additional information please contact: Claire Napoletano at [email protected]

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