Job Description

Central Washington University is recruiting a Director of the Wildcat Shop to join our Wildcat Shop team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an essential member of our team as they lead all store operations in support of the mission and vision for the University. The role is a campus-based, position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a salary, depending on experience, from $80,000 - $93,000 annually plus the excellent CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.  

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~10,000 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year.  In addition, for the seventh time in eight years, CWU is a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave.

The Role:

The Wildcat Shop Director will provide the strategic leadership necessary to administer a multi-million dollar retail and service organization. The Director will lead the strategic discussion and direction of the future of course material delivery for Central Washington University and be a key partner in working with faculty, students, and library staff to achieve the best possible outcome for student learning and success. 

The Wildcat Shop Director will lead all store operations in support of the mission of the University. Within that context, the primary objectives are to provide course materials, support commencement, and provide other goods and services needed and desired by students and the university community. The Director will also ensure that the Wildcat Shop is the primary distributor of the CWU brand through clothing, gift, and other sales. 

The person will be a key partner with others co-located in the Student Union and Recreation Center in decision making, budget development and planning, and capital expenditures. 

Leadership of this organization includes oversight of a budget over $5 million in annual gross sales that include the main campus store in Ellensburg (18,000 square feet), online book sales to all 6 Centers, and a robust and modern online web sales presence. The Director will lead a staff of 8 fulltime civil service employees, 5 temporary employees, and around 30 student employees.

Primary operational responsibilities include, but are not limited to, oversight of the following functions: creating and leading effective teams, managing and implementing budgets, purchasing/inventory control, shipping/receiving, sales/cashiering, cash control, financial management, computer/information systems and point of sales systems, online order/sales, merchandising/advertising, personnel leadership and management, interaction with other University departments and programs, policies/procedures development, and strategic planning for the Wildcat Shop within the context of the mission and vision of Auxiliary Enterprises, the Finance and Administration division and the University. 

All employees are expected to support CWU's commitment to diversity and to bring and support inclusion into the university environment. 

Primary operational responsibilities include, but are not limited to, oversight of the following functions:  

- Creating and leading effective teams 
- Managing and implementing budgets
- Purchasing/inventory control
- Shipping/receiving
- Sales/cashiering 
- Cash control 
- Financial management 
- Computer/information systems and point of sales systems 
- Online order/sales 
- Merchandising/advertising 
- Personnel leadership and management
- Interaction with other University departments and programs 
- Policies/procedures development 
- Strategic planning for the Wildcat Shop within the context of the mission and vision of Auxiliary Enterprises, the Finance and Administration division and the University

• Seven years progressively responsible experience in retail management.
• Leadership or management experience
• Experience in leading and motivating employees toward a common goal
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
• Background in information technology systems, with particular familiarity with managing or implementing Point of Sale inventory control/online and in person sales systems
• Ability to lead and communicate effectively a vision of success and motivate colleagues, demonstrate integrity, initiative, good judgement, and the ability to analyze a situation and adopt an independent course of action.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion and/or experience working with students and/or co-workers from a wide range of abilities, backgrounds and experiences.
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Nine years progressively responsible experience in retail management in the college/university bookstore industry
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with an emphasis in business, accounting, finance, marketing, or related field.
• Training and/or experiences that demonstrate an ability to contribute to CWU's commitment to inclusion and diversity.
• Demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for students.

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Diversity: Recognizes the value of diversity and helps create environment that supports and embraces diversity.

Don't meet every single requirement? At CWU we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. This may be the job for you!

Salary: This position has a minimum annual salary of $71,748 and maximum annual salary of $107,622. The Hiring Department's expected hiring range is $80,000 - $93,000. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the hiring range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.   

Schedule/Appointment: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch) and may include infrequent flexibility for weekends an/or special events.  

Working Conditions: Work is performed in an indoor office setting with frequent in-person interactions.  It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer work station for prolonged periods of time, perform extensive data entry and other computer-related tasks and create/maintain filing systems for departmental records.  Some evening or weekend work and/or occasional travel may be required.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave. 

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program.

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting, and how this position aligns with your career goals and interests;
   
• Resume including work history, education, training; and
   
• Contact information for three professional references.

Screening Begins: April 10, 2024 and will be open until filled 

**Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Name: Joseph Pearson
Title: Executive Director Auxiliary Enterprises
Email: Joseph.Pearson@cwu.edu
Phone: 509-963-1580
Website: wildcatshop.net/

Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process. 

Background Check/Reference Check Process:

Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to sign a Sexual Misconduct disclosure in pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 and submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.

Notice to Prospective Employees:

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement

Central Washington University is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Central Washington University's policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and employment. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran is prohibited. The university provides an internal procedure for reporting discrimination and affords protection against retaliation for participating in the complaint process. Central Washington University complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders including when soliciting bids and in the fulfillment of all contracts with governmental agencies. Direct related inquiries to Civil Rights Compliance, 202 Barge Hall, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7501; Telephone 509-963-2050; or email crc@cwu.edu.

DEI Statement

Justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are all core to CWU's mission, vision and values to increase access to higher education for everyone regardless of identity. At CWU we work to ensure everyone's voice is not only heard but recognized and valued. We consistently strive to provide a safe, welcoming, and forward-thinking institution for all employees, students, and community members.

Reasonable Accommodations

Central Washington University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact Human Resources at HR@cwu.edu or call 509-963-1202. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the Central Washington University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (i.e. Clery Report) which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, available online here or call CWU Police and Parking Services at 509-963-2959 for a paper copy.