Search ProspectusAssociate Vice President for

Marketing and Communications

University of Montana foUndation

TheOpportunity

the OpportunityThe University of Montana Foundation is pleased to announce a nationwide search for the position of Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications.

Reporting to the President and CEO, the AVP leads the Foundation’s marketing and communications team, works with the President and CEO to create and implement effective strategies and serves as a member of the executive management team.

The AVP will join the Foundation at an exciting time. Private support for the University of Montana has increased dramatically around a set of strategic priorities identified by the University. The Associate Vice President will play a critical role in driving our fundraising results to the next level and strengthening our organization to ensure sustainable success in the future. The AVP will also serve as a leader in achieving and maintaining a “best place to work” culture for our dedicated staff.

Our Community

our CommunityMissoula is a thriving community of 72,000 residents who make their home where five valleys converge. set in 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.

Missoula’s vibrant downtown lies north of the Clark fork river, which runs through the heart of the city. residents and visitors flock there for its locally owned restaurants and bars, eclectic retail stores and, during the summer, its bustling saturday farmer’s market scene. as a regional shopping destination, Missoula is also home to southgate Mall – currently undergoing a major expansion – and large retail corridors on reserve and Brooks streets.

Missoula offers outstanding cultural and entertainment opportunities that contribute to the “Missoula Lifestyle.” Big-name and local artists alike play Missoula’s varied concert venues and festivals. Local residents enjoy excellent art galleries, public lectures and theatrical productions. University of Montana sporting events and venues are among the best in the nation. the Missoula osprey minor league baseball team is affiliated with the arizona diamondbacks and has won the Pioneer league championship four times. fly fishing opportunities are world class.

Outdoor Recreation:• YellowstoneNationalPark:269miles•GlacierNationalPark:139miles•MontanaSnowBowlSkiArea:7miles• RattlesnakeWildernessArea:5miles• Thereare3.1millionacresofwildernesswithina100-mileradius

of campus.

Missoula by the Numbers:•Livability.comrankedMissoulaasNo.8onits2015listofbest

small to mid-sized cities in the U.s.•OutsidemagazinenamedMissoulaNo.9intheir2014article“The16GreatestPlacestoLiveinAmerica.”

•In2016,SmartAssetrankedMissoulaNo.9onitsLeast-StressedCities in america list.

•Fodor’sTravelrankedMissoulaNo.2amongthenation’sbestrivertownsin2014.

The

TheFoundation

the University of Montana Foundation our mission is to increase philanthropic support to ensure the University of Montana’s excellence, access and affordability, focusing fundraising activity on the priorities set by the University of Montana and building and maintaining relationships with alumni and friends who donate to UM. the foundation is governed by an all-volunteer Board of trustees.

our vision is to be a leader among like-sized university development operations and foundations from across the country in our production practices, our integrity of operations and our customer service, while creating a brand as a “best place to work.”

Ourcorevaluesguideusinallthatwedo:• WeareIntentional• WeareConstituentCentered• WeActwithIntegrity• WeCollaborateandCommunicate• WeareDriventoImprove• WeCelebrateSuccess

over the previous three fiscal years, private support of the UniversityofMontanahasexceeded$50millionannually.Thefoundation manages a long-term investment portfolio, valued at around$170million,establishedtoprovideongoingannualsupportfor scholarships, faculty, programs and other University priorities. More information about the impact of private support raised by the foundation is available in our annual impact reports.

the University of Montana foundation offices are located in a new building on the beautiful University of Montana campus. the Foundationcurrentlyemploys57professionalstaffworkingacrossteams focused on accounting, administrative services, development, gift and fund administration, human resources, information systems, marketing and communications, prospect research and stewardship.

TheUniversitythe University of Montana

UM is a flagship public doctoral research institution that has produced 28 Rhodes Scholars, 17 Goldwater Scholars and 14 Truman Scholars. UM has an undergraduate enrollment of 10,500 and the largest graduate student enrollment in Montana (2,100 students), maintaining a strong commitment to diverse, thriving graduate education. Several of the University’s schools, colleges and programs have attained national or regional distinction.

In 2016, UM’s successful Wildlife Biology Program earned the top spot in a national analysis of places to study wildlife. The program was ranked No. 1 in the U.S. and Canada by Academic Analytics. UM and its world-class wildlife biology researchers are surrounded by a stunning natural laboratory. Discovery is just out the back door. The former director of UM’s Wildlife Biology Program, Dan Pletscher, said, “Other programs read about it. We live in the middle of it.” UM’s Wildlife Biology Program is recognized as one of three programs of national distinction, along with creative writing and organismal biology.

In 2016, UM’s Alexander Blewett III School of Law was chosen as one of the best-value law schools in the nation by The National Jurist magazine. The law school’s 2016-17 negotiation team also placed second in the nation, and the school ranks among the top 20 nationally for placing students in prized federal clerkships.

The Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences recently received its highest national accreditation review since becoming a founding member of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education in 1954.

The Skaggs School of Pharmacy is ranked in the top 25 nationally for garnering National Institutes of Health grants. UM’s creative writing and journalism programs also rank high.

UM’s Grizzly Athletics consistently bring academic and athletic distinction to campus. As of fall semester 2016, UM student athletes have logged an average cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above for almost 12 years and 23 straight semesters.

Associate Vice President for Marketing and CommunicationsThe AVP sets the strategic direction for the Foundation’s communication and marketing efforts and is responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive program in support for the Foundation’s strategic and annual operating plan. The Marketing and Communications Department encompasses print and digital marketing, media relations, donor stewardship, and special events. The AVP leads a team of six full-time, professional staff; a part-time videographer; and three student employees. The Foundation’s Marketing and Communications team has won numerous professional awards including the MarCom Platinum and Gold Awards and the Higher Education Report’s Digital Marketing Gold Awards. The team is highly regarded across the University of Montana campus for their creativity, professionalism, execution and service.

The AVP reports to the President and CEO, working in close collaboration with the Foundation’s executive leadership team, which includes the Chief Financial Officer, the Vice President for Development, and the Vice President for Planned Gifts and Regional Development. The AVP serves as staff liaison to the Marketing and Communications Committee of the Board of Trustees and also participates in the work of the Executive Committee of the Board.

Duties and Responsibilities:• Execute and direct comprehensive marketing,

communications and branding strategies,generating excitement around fundraisingpriorities, the impact of private support andspecial campaigns

• Inspire, lead and manage a highly talented anddedicated team of full-time staff and students,providing frequent opportunities forprofessional learning, development and growth

• Strengthen connections with strategic Universitypartners to enhance overall institutionalcommunications strategies and ensurealignment and partnership in regard to keymessaging platforms

• Lead packaging of marketing andcommunications across numerous mediaplatforms, including print publications, socialmedia, video, mobile, website and newtechnologies in efforts to reach new andincreasingly diverse audiences

• Manage short- and long-term campaigns(online, social and print) and oversee editorialdirection to ensure that messages are accurate,brand consistent, and utilize the most currentand effective technology to support strategicgoals and fundraising objectives

• Ensure a comprehensive and integratedstewardship and donor relations program thatfosters a culture of appreciation, recognition,accountability and ongoing engagement of theFoundation’s donors

• Provide leadership on the direction of allFoundation events, ensuring strategicmessaging that properly cultivates and stewardsUMF donors

• Proactively seek media opportunities to elevatethe work of the University, the Foundation andrecognize the generosity of donors; developtalking points for key leadership andoccasionally serve as UMF spokespersonManage department budgets and assureappropriate resource allocation to key prioritiesof the department

• Advise on internal communication to ensure theFoundation team and University partners areinformed of emerging strategies, key messagingand important events in a timely manner

Desired Qualifications:The successful candidate will be an experienced and passionate communications professional who shares a commitment to the mission and values of the Foundation. We seek a candidate who excels in relationship building, possesses a high level of self-motivation, is team oriented and highly creative. Other qualifications include:

• Proven ability to develop and implementdynamic integrated communications, media,public relations and marketing plans thatalign with the organization’s overall strategyand direction

• A natural storyteller with exceptional writtenand oral communication skills, both at astrategic and detail-oriented level

• Demonstrated versatility across multipleplatforms, including print, digital and visual

• Ability to analyze and measure theeffectiveness of communications andmarketing efforts, including events, asrelated to specific objectives and goals

• Proven diplomacy and a willingness to investconsiderable time and energy building andmaintaining respectful, trusting relationshipsacross diverse constituencies, serving as anambassador for the UM Foundation oncampus and in the community

• Demonstrate an ongoing commitment toseeking out and evaluating the latestcommunications trends, including leading-edge tactics for creative use of social mediaand other digital platforms

• A high degree of professional discretion,integrity and good judgment, along with adesire to work in a mission-drivenorganization within a higher educationenvironment

• Effective one-on-one and groupcommunicator

• A minimum of 10 years marketing,communications and/or media relationsexperience, with at least five years ofprogressive senior management experiencein marketing

• Bachelor’s degree, with an advanced degreein a related field preferred

• Preferred communications managementexperience in higher education or relatednonprofit organizations

for more information about the UM Foundationpleasevisit:SupportUM.org

for more information about the University ofMontanapleasevisit:umt.edu.

F O U N D A T I O N

How to ApplyThe position will remain open until filled but only applications received by July 14, 2017 can be assured full consideration. Candidates should apply online at http://www.SupportUM.org/careers.

The Foundation offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits package, and is an EEO employer. References will not be contacted without explicit permission. Questions about the position may be directed to Cindy Williams, president and CEO, at cindy.williams@mso.umt.edu.