Role Snapshot
Leads the strategic direction and hands-on management of Western Carolina University's HR information systems, data governance, and reporting. Ensures HR data is accurate, secure, and integrated to support operations and compliance.
Key Responsibilities: Serves as a working supervisor who leads HR systems and data staff, administers and troubleshoots HR systems, validates data, and builds reports. Partners with HR units, IT, Institutional Planning, and vendors to improve workflows and establish data standards.
Skills & Tools: Requires knowledge of HRIS, HR and payroll processes, data governance, and data security, plus enterprise system administration and integration. Also requires strong analytical, reporting, dashboard, and communication skills, along with the ability to lead staff and manage competing priorities.
Qualifications: Experience with HR information systems, data management, and staff leadership is expected, typically gained through a bachelor's degree and several years of relevant experience. The position is EHRA-exempt, and the exact education and experience requirements are not specified in the description.
Compensation: $130K–$180K/yr (estimated)
Job Description
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).
Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and Payroll, the Director of HR Systems and Data Management provides strategic leadership and hands-on management of the University’s human resources information systems, data governance, reporting, and process improvement efforts. The position ensures that HR systems and data are accurate, reliable, secure, and integrated to support effective operations, informed decision-making, and compliance with institutional and external reporting requirements.
Serving as a working supervisor, the director leads staff responsible for HR systems, data management, and personnel, position, and compensation transactions while contributing directly to system administration, troubleshooting, data validation, and reporting. The position partners with HR functional units, Information Technology, Institutional Planning, and external service providers to strengthen system capabilities, establish data standards and operating procedures, and improve service delivery through automation and workflow redesign.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and Payroll, the Director of HR Systems and Data Management provides strategic leadership and hands-on management of the University’s human resources information systems, data governance, reporting, and process improvement efforts. The position ensures that HR systems and data are accurate, reliable, secure, and integrated to support effective operations, informed decision-making, and compliance with institutional and external reporting requirements.
Serving as a working supervisor, the director leads staff responsible for HR systems, data management, and personnel, position, and compensation transactions while contributing directly to system administration, troubleshooting, data validation, and reporting. The position partners with HR functional units, Information Technology, Institutional Planning, and external service providers to strengthen system capabilities, establish data standards and operating procedures, and improve service delivery through automation and workflow redesign.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of HR information systems, HR and payroll business processes, and the relationships among personnel, position, and compensation data.
- Knowledge of data governance, data security, quality assurance, and reporting practices that support accurate records and institutional compliance.
- Skill in enterprise system administration, troubleshooting, integration, testing, and workflow improvement.
- Ability to analyze complex datasets, develop reports and dashboards, and communicate findings and technical information clearly to varied audiences.
- Ability to lead and develop staff, manage competing priorities, and collaborate across functional and technical teams to improve systems and service delivery.