Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:
* 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. 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. Paid vacation and sick leave accrual begin after first month of employment. 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.

The primary location of this position is the main Cullowhee, NC campus.

About The Division:
The Division of Information Technology (IT) supports the university's mission by enabling the effective, efficient, and strategic use of technology in building an empowered and informed university and by cultivating a knowledgeable and engaged IT staff. We do this with a vision to be a model for the strategic and effective use of information technology, partnering with the university community to positively impact lives.

WCU IT provides an opportunity for up to 40% remote work and extensive professional development. This position includes a robust benefits package. We support a culture of respect and belongingness for all employees. This makes us a better team, drives innovation, and delivers better business results.

Support of existing technologies and the planning, development, deployment, and integration of new technologies is provided through the departments of Academic Engagement and IT Governance; Client Support Services: Networking and Communications; Project Management Office (PMO); IT Administration Office; Chief Technologist Office; IT Security Office; and Applications and Systems.

Our guiding principles are:

A. We embrace the important responsibility and role IT has in the university's core values of Excellence, Scholarship, and Teaching and Learning.

B. We stand dedicated to critical system stability by being firmly rooted in a culture of proactiveness, process improvement, and prevention of issues and recurring problems.

C. We commit ourselves to providing best in class service, investing in our people, and encouraging cross-disciplinary collaboration with a commitment towards achieving shared goals.

D. We focus on continuous improvement, seeking opportunities to challenge ourselves, to be receptive to new ideas and solutions and to be good stewards of resources.

E. We learn and grow to systemically address diversity, equal opportunity, and belonging as areas of continual improvement in process and practice.

F. We are open and honest with our university partners, keeping them up to date on our work.

G. We manage risk effectively, communicate issues appropriately, protect user data and privacy, assess data security risks, and maintain honest accounting of all information.

In addition, IT strives to serve with transparency, integrity, innovation, excellence, and accountability, and together we celebrate the diversity and inclusion of ideas and people.

About The Position:
The primary duties of this position are to lead teams, manage complex projects containing an IT component, and assist in the development of processes, forms, templates, etc., as necessary to implement and operate a Project Management Office (PMO). This position will be involved in developing project management procedures, analyzing processes, and ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of project deliverables, following clients' specifications and requirements to meet their highest satisfaction. This position will often operate independently in situations that can reflect upon the reputation of the IT department. Tact, diplomacy, and an understanding of political factors and influences are necessary for success. Utilize best practices to identify all stakeholders associated with a project, understand their information needs and wants, and formulate stakeholder management and communications plans to keep them informed using multiple communications channels and techniques. Regularly interact with stakeholders to answer their questions and ensure their needs are being met. Advise them on process re-engineering or technology changes that are needed or recommended to have the project succeed. Active listening and other soft skills are a must.

Methodically and thoroughly plan projects assigned using inputs provided by sponsor, project team and other key stakeholders. Build project plans at appropriate level of detail as determined by the needs of the project. Manage and monitor plan and related master schedule. Document project plans and project documents using appropriate means including TeamDynamixHE, Microsoft Project and Microsoft SharePoint.

Utilize the WCU IT Project Management Methodology, best practices from the Project Management Institute (PMI), and other recognized authorities to develop fully integrated project plans that are realistic and implementable. Acquire project staff and develop them in keeping with the project's needs. Execute, monitor, and control projects to meet agreed-upon requirements and objectives. Perform project closing activities to close out all processes and verify delivery of all requirements.

Perform post-mortem or lessons-learned audits to gather information from key stakeholders and the project team. Index and archive them for future use by others. Be proficient in Waterfall and Agile techniques and can apply them appropriately based upon the needs and characteristics of the project.

The project manager is a generalist and is not expected to be a technical expert in all fields. However, sufficient technical knowledge is necessary to understand what stakeholders and the project team are recommending/conveying. Must be able to discern when information does not appear to be accurate or complete and keep asking questions until facts become evident.

A project manager will often be working in areas outside their expertise or comfort zone.
they may not know all the answers but must be able to get the project team consisting of technical experts to work together to brainstorm new approaches, consider different alternatives and points of view and arrive at the best solutions. Support activities of a project manager require a strong customer-service ethic. Support activities are not always technical in nature but the project manager must read between the lines to understand what is really being asked or requested even if the words say something else. Soft skills are required.

Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Master's degree in Project Management, Computer Science, Computer Engineering or closely related degree from an appropriately accredited institution with 1-2 years of experience; or a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Project Management or closely related degree from an appropriately accredited institution and 2-4 years of experience in IT project management or technical project management related work; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

* Project Management Professional (PMP) certification by the Project Management Institute
* Ability to professionally and effectively interact with faculty, staff, vendors and community members, at all levels
* Prior success in teaching faculty, staff and students new technologies, software and process improvement
* Demonstrated ability to manage multi-tiered IT projects
* Demonstrated commitment to collaborative decision-making
* Ability to handle multiple projects/tasks/assignments concurrently
* Strong time management skills
* Ability to be extremely detail oriented and be results focused
* Strong customer-focused service orientation
* Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills
* Two years progressive experience working with:
o IT Projects
o Call Tracking Software such as Cherwell
o Project Management software such as Team Dynamix or Microsoft Project

Applicants must apply online. Please submit a cover letter, resume, and at least three professional references in order to be considered for the position.

PLEASE COMPLETE ALL AREAS OF THE APPLICATION. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE GIVEN CONSIDERATION IN THE REVIEW PROCESS.

If no applicants apply, who meet the required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities/Competencies and Training and Experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants.

For questions or additional information, please contact Jenn Lohse via email at jlohse@email.wcu.edu

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.

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; religion; sex; 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. Additionally, the University promotes the realization of equal employment opportunity for minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its affirmative action program.
Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

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.