Senior Director, Major Gifts & Planned Giving

University of Montana Foundation; Missoula (MT); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

403(b) retirement plan

Hybrid remote work arrangement

Generous vacation and sick leave

Job summary

The University of Montana Foundation seeks a visionary Associate Vice President of Development to lead high-capacity fundraising initiatives and mentor a team of professionals. This senior role partners with campus leaders to translate priorities into transformative philanthropic opportunities and oversees complex gift strategies that advance institutional impact.

Reporting to the Vice President for Development, you will drive major gifts, planned giving, and blended gifts while fostering a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Ten years of fundraising experience, preferably in higher education or complex nonprofit environments.
• Experience mentoring and guiding development colleagues on principal gift strategy, gift planning, and complex donor scenarios.
• Advanced knowledge of charitable gift planning strategies including estate commitments and trusts.
• Proven track record closing $1M+ philanthropic commitments with current, deferred, and blended gifts.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of high-capacity prospects and donors capable of $1M+ commitments.
• Secure current and deferred gifts through outright gifts, estates, trusts, annuities, beneficiaries and other planned giving.
• Collaborate with leadership to identify transformational funding opportunities aligned with priorities.
• Translate academic priorities and institutional vision into compelling philanthropic opportunities.
• Develop and implement coordinated fundraising strategies for principal, planned, blended, and complex gifts.
• Provide leadership, supervision, coaching, and performance management for fundraising staff.
• Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing fundraising professionals; monitor performance and activity.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising

Major gifts

Donor relations

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

The University of Montana Foundation seeks a visionary Associate Vice President of Development to lead high-capacity fundraising initiatives and mentor a team of professionals. This senior role partners with campus leaders to translate priorities into transformative philanthropic opportunities and oversees complex gift strategies that advance institutional impact.

Reporting to the Vice President for Development, you will drive major gifts, planned giving, and blended gifts while fostering a