Search Prospectus Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications University of Montana foundation
The pportunity the Opportunity The 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 Missoula 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. Bigname 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: Yellowstone National Park: 269 miles Glacier National Park: 139 miles Montana Snow Bowl Ski Area: 7 miles Rattlesnake Wilderness Area: 5 miles There are 3.1 million acres of wilderness within a 100-mile radius of campus. Missoula by the Numbers: Livability.com ranked Missoula as No. 8 on its 2015 list of best small to mid-sized cities in the U.S. Outside magazine named Missoula No. 9 in their 2014 article The 16 Greatest Places to Live in America. In 2016, SmartAsset ranked Missoula No. 9 on its Least-Stressed Cities in America list. Fodor s Travel ranked Missoula No. 2 among the nation s best river towns in 2014. Our Community
The University of Montana Foundation Th 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. Our core values guide us in all that we do: We are Intentional We are Constituent Centered We Act with Integrity We Collaborate and Communicate We are Driven to Improve We Celebrate Success Over the previous three fiscal years, private support of the University of Montana has exceeded $50 million annually. The Foundation manages a long-term investment portfolio, valued at around $170 million, established to provide ongoing annual support for 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 Foundation currently employs 57 professional staff working across teams focused on accounting, administrative services, development, gift and fund administration, human resources, information systems, marketing and communications, prospect research and stewardship. The oundation
euniversity The 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 Communications The 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 fulltime, 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 fundraising priorities, the impact of private support and special campaigns Inspire, lead and manage a highly talented and dedicated team of full-time staff and students, providing frequent opportunities for professional learning, development and growth Strengthen connections with strategic University partners to enhance overall institutional communications strategies and ensure alignment and partnership in regard to key messaging platforms Lead packaging of marketing and communications across numerous media platforms, including print publications, social media, video, mobile, website and new technologies in efforts to reach new and increasingly diverse audiences Manage short- and long-term campaigns (online, social and print) and oversee editorial direction to ensure that messages are accurate, brand consistent, and utilize the most current and effective technology to support strategic goals and fundraising objectives Ensure a comprehensive and integrated stewardship and donor relations program that fosters a culture of appreciation, recognition, accountability and ongoing engagement of the Foundation s donors Provide leadership on the direction of all Foundation events, ensuring strategic messaging that properly cultivates and stewards UMF donors Proactively seek media opportunities to elevate the work of the University, the Foundation and recognize the generosity of donors; develop talking points for key leadership and occasionally serve as UMF spokesperson Manage department budgets and assure appropriate resource allocation to key priorities of the department Advise on internal communication to ensure the Foundation team and University partners are informed of emerging strategies, key messaging and 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 implement dynamic integrated communications, media, public relations and marketing plans that align with the organization s overall strategy and direction A natural storyteller with exceptional written and oral communication skills, both at a strategic and detail-oriented level Demonstrated versatility across multiple platforms, including print, digital and visual Ability to analyze and measure the effectiveness of communications and marketing efforts, including events, as related to specific objectives and goals Proven diplomacy and a willingness to invest considerable time and energy building and maintaining respectful, trusting relationships across diverse constituencies, serving as an ambassador for the UM Foundation on campus and in the community Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to seeking out and evaluating the latest communications trends, including leadingedge tactics for creative use of social media and other digital platforms A high degree of professional discretion, integrity and good judgment, along with a desire to work in a mission-driven organization within a higher education environment Effective one-on-one and group communicator A minimum of 10 years marketing, communications and/or media relations experience, with at least five years of progressive senior management experience in marketing Bachelor s degree, with an advanced degree in a related field preferred Preferred communications management experience in higher education or related nonprofit organizations
How to Apply The 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. For more information about the UM Foundation please visit: SupportUM.org For more information about the University of Montana please visit: umt.edu. F O U N D A T I O N