Vice President of Development

The University of Montana Foundation seeks an experienced leader to serve as Vice President of Development. The next Vice President will build on the Foundations growth in philanthropic giving to support the Universitys mission of inclusive prosperity transforming lives by providing a high-quality and accessible education and generating world-class research and creative scholarship in an exceptional place.

At the University of Montana Foundation we believe that the lives we change will change the world. We are committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the people and culture of the university we serve. We inspire each other to do our best work. We act with integrity and respect fostering a work environment in which everyone is valued.

Located in Missoula Montana an outdoor playground of majestic mountains scenic valleys and winding rivers Missoula residents enjoy four distinct seasons an energetic college-town vibe and unparalleled recreational opportunities. Residents enjoy a vibrant downtown as well as outstanding cultural sporting and entertainment opportunities.

Why Work for Us

• Retirement Planning:403(b) employer contribution of 11% no employee match required
• Flexible Work Arrangement: Opportunity for a hybrid remote work arrangement each week
• Generous Time off Benefits: Team members accrue four weeks of vacation and12 days of sick leave per year with anadditional11daysof holiday leave
• Family Support: Paid parental leave for new parents
• Health and Wellness: Medical dental vision wellness program and short-term and long-term disability pay protection benefits
• Career Advancement: Professional development opportunities
• Competitive Pay: Candidates may request the starting pay range by emailing

About the Opportunity:

The Vice President of Development provides strategic leadership for the University of Montana Foundations comprehensive fundraising program. As the organizations chief development strategist the Vice President sets the long-term philanthropic vision drives growth in private support and ensures high-quality donor engagement across all units.

A key member of the executive leadership team the VP partners closely with the President and CEO and Board leadership to establish ambitious fundraising goals aligned with institutional priorities. The Vice President leads and mentors a team of development professionals overseeing comprehensive giving programs.

The Vice President represents the Foundation with distinction strengthens partnerships with campus leaders and volunteers and cultivates relationships with donors with capacity for transformational impact.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Provide enterprise-wide leadership for philanthropic strategy annual giving priorities and multi-year fundraising plans. Lead strategy development for campaigns donor experience initiatives and long-range fundraising priorities.
  
• Team Leadership and Development: Lead manage and mentor Development team leaders including Assistant/Associate Vice Presidents and senior development staff. Build a high-performance culture grounded in accountability data-driven decision-making and professional growth.
  
• Donor and Volunteer Engagement: Cultivate solicit and steward principal and leadership level prospects and donors. Represent the Foundation and campus leadership in high-level cultivation and solicitation activities including staffing the President Provost and key volunteers as needed.
  
• Operational & Administrative Leadership: Collaborate with Foundation senior leadership to implement organization-wide policies procedures guidelines and systems that elevate operational effectiveness and donor experience. Oversee budgets resource allocation and operational processes to support strategic priorities.
  
• Campus & External Partnerships: Serve as a liaison to deans and campus leaders fostering strong relationships and ensuring alignment with unit-level fundraising priorities. Build collaborative relationships with campus colleagues Foundation partners and external stakeholders to advance fundraising opportunities.
  

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelors degree required; advanced degree preferred
• Experience: Minimum five years of senior-level performance-driven fundraising experience in higher education or comparable nonprofit organization. Minimum three years of management or supervisory experience leading development teams.
• Skills: Demonstrated experience designing and managing data-driven fundraising programs and performance systems. Proven success cultivating soliciting and closing six-and seven-figure gifts from individuals corporations and foundations. Excellent oral and written communication skills across diverse constituencies. Extraordinary judgment integrity and ethical conduct.

Accessibility and Equal Opportunity

The University of Montana Foundation is committed to providing access equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment its services programs and activities. To request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the recruitment process at the University of Montana Foundation contact . All hiring decisions are made without regard to race color religion gender sexual orientation gender identity national origin age disability or veteran status.

Additional Information

All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.

Priority Application Date:

• Friday March 6 2026.Complete applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration.

If you do not meet all the qualifications of the position you are still encouraged to apply.