Description
The University of Montana Foundation seeks an experienced leader to serve as Vice President of Development. The next Vice President will build on the Foundation’s growth in philanthropic giving to support the University’s 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 and 12 days of sick leave per year, with an additional 11 days of 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 emailinghumanresources@supportum.org
About the Opportunity:
The Vice President of Development provides strategic leadership for the University of Montana Foundation’s comprehensive fundraising program. As the organization’s 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: Bachelor’s 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 humanresources@supportum.org. 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.
