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THE OPPORTUNITY
North Carolina State University (NC State) invites applications and nominations for the position
of Director of the NC State Bookstores. The Director position provides visionary leadership to a
department that includes staff, student workers, and temporary employees of over 200 in total.
The NC State Bookstores – a fixture at NC State since 1954 – is charged with satisfying the
mission of a self-supporting, non-profit institutional bookstore as required by University
administration and the University trustees. The Bookstore provides all required academic needs
such as textbooks, reference and trade books, essential student related computer equipment,
supplies, emblematic items, and various convenience items as prescribed by state law.
Additionally, it is required by the University trustees that the store pay for inventory and capital
improvements out of receipts, and that residual funds be directed to the General Scholarship Fund
on an annual basis.
In June 2015, the flagship location — Wolfpack Outfitters —
was moved to the new Talley Student Union where it is housed
in a two-level, 40,000-square-foot store featuring textbooks and
course materials, an expanded Apple computer section, a
Clinique counter, and a wide selection of Wolfpack merchandise
and school supplies. Other outlets include the Pack Shop on
Centennial Campus, State Stuff stores at PNC Arena and on
gamedays at Carter-Finley Stadium, and the State of the Art
store where departments and student groups can get custom
shirts and promotional products bearing the university brand marks.
The Director will administer and manage all retail/operational activities as well as the financial
performance of NC State University Bookstores, Pack Shop, Wolf Xpress Print & Copy Services,
State of the Art, and Concessions operations. The successful candidate will also be expected to
keep current with college store industry trends; be a visionary for future operational needs; and
guide, lead by example, and be represented at state, regional, and national association meetings.
Reporting to the Senior Director of Financial Services and the Associate Vice Chancellor for the
Campus Enterprises, the Director position directs, interprets, and applies standards, policies, and
procedures for all operations including: short and long range strategic plans; campus
merchandising; purchasing; retail inventory control; marketing; financial reporting and analysis;
information technology; safety and security; annual inventory and cycle count inventories;
university auxiliary budget preparation; facilities management; and recruitment, selection, hiring,
training, motivation, and evaluation of employees. This position will champion the policies and
procedures set forth by the University and the Board of Trustees, ensuring that they are
implemented efficiently through administrative systems and fiscal responsibility.
A successful candidate will have demonstrated success planning, leading and executing capital
projects; preparing and overseeing sales forecasts, inventory forecasts, operating expenses, net
revenues and benchmarking with other national peer bookstores to ensure financial goals are met
or exceeded; and collaborating closely with other departments and senior administrators in their
organizations.
For more specifics regarding the required and preferred candidate credentials, in addition to
information on how to express personal interest, refer potential candidates, or obtain additional
information about the position, please see the “Search Specifcs” section near the end of this
document.
ABOUT NC STATE
NC State was founded with a purpose: to create
economic, societal and intellectual prosperity for the
people of North Carolina and the country. We began as
a land-grant institution teaching the agricultural and
mechanical arts. Today, we’re a pre-eminent research
enterprise that excels in science, technology,
engineering, math, design, the humanities and social
sciences, textiles and veterinary medicine.NC State
students, faculty and staff take problems in hand
and work with industry, government and nonprofit
partners to solve them.
Our 34,000-plus high-performing students apply what they learn in the real world by conducting
research, working in internships and co -ops, and performing acts of world-changing service. That
experiential education ensures they leave here ready to lead the workforce, confident in the
knowledge that NC State consistently rates as one of the best values in higher education .
Whether it’s Princeton Review ranking NC State among the nation’s best values for universities or
one of 81 nationwide “Colleges with a Conscience,” NC State has a lot to be proud of. And
Princeton Review is not alone. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance ranked NC State University 12th and
U.S. News & World Report ranked the university among the top 10 best values in public higher
education.
ABOUT RALEIGH, NC
NC State is located in one of the fastest-growing urban centers in America. A top spot for young
professionals and families, Raleigh is nationally recognized as a city on the rise:
No. 1 among the best places for business and careers
(Forbes, 2014)
No. 1 among U.S. cities attracting the most families
(Forbes, 2014)
No. 2 among America’s 15 best cities for young
professionals (Forbes, 2014)
No. 3 among the best midsize U.S. metro areas for
college students (American Institute for Economic
Research, 2014)
With Durham and Chapel Hill, Raleigh anchors the Research Triangle, a national hotspot for
high-tech enterprise. The top companies in the r egion — including IBM, Cisco Systems, SAS
Institute, Biogen Idec and GlaxoSmithKline — are among the country’s best employers. They also
lead the way in hiring new NC State graduates.
More than 125 years after its creation, NC State continues to make its founding purpose a reality.
Every day, our career-ready graduates and world-leading faculty make the fruits of learning and
discovery available to people across the state, throughout the nation and around the world.
SEARCH SPECIFICS
Requirements and Preferences
The Director must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration,
or related business area and three years of professional accounting experience, of which at least
one is supervisory; or equivalent combination of training and experience. The Director will also
be expected to demonstrate substantive knowledge and capacity for MS Office; computerized
inventory management systems for a large scale, multi-department/classification organization;
stock ledgers; POS systems; online retail sales and inventory tracking systems; and
PCI and EMV.
In addition, the successful candidate will be detail oriented and show highly developed analytical
skills; experience researching and resolving problems with a sense of urgency; the ability to multi -
task and prioritize efficiently; experience working/developing and executing budgets; excellent
communication skills; and experience with new facility planning and operational setup.
Preference will be given to candidates with 10 years of experience in bookstore management and
five (5) years of high-level, retail management experience. Candidates will also be given
preference that can demonstrate proficiency with Sequoia SCS (including Textbook Partner and
ePOS); MAS 200; and PeopleSoft Financials.
How to Apply
The Nomination Committee invites applications (including resume, cover letter, and contact
information for at least three (3) references) to be submitted online at go.ncsu.edu/
bookstoresopening or to NC State Executive Search. Confidential review of materials will begin
immediately and continue until the appointment is made. It is preferred, however that all
nominations and applications be submitted prior to September 30, 2016. Further information can
be found at go.ncsu.edu/DirBookstores. Please refer all inquiries to:
Frank Barragan
Executive Recruiter and Search Consultant
NC State Executive Search
(919) 515-4365
For Further Information, Visit:
NC State Bookstores
Campus Enterprises
Office of Finance and Administration
University Strategic Plan
Think and Do
Stats and Strengths
NC State University
NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will
receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, vet-
eran status, or disability. In addition, NC State University welcomes all persons without regard to sexual
orientation. The University welcomes the opportunity to work with candidates to identify suitable employ-
ment opportunities for spouses or partners .
