Development Professional, Intercollegiate Athletics

About the Opportunity 

The University of Montana Foundation is seeking a development professional to join our team in an Intercollegiate Athletics role at either the Assistant, Associate, or Director level, depending on experience and qualifications. 

The position outlines the Associate-level requirements; individuals with a more advanced background in fundraising or planned giving may be considered for the Director level. 

Applicants who advance beyond the first round of interviews will be evaluated to determine the appropriate title and level based on their skills, experience, and professional history. 

We welcome applications from talented development professionals who are passionate about philanthropic gift planning and excited to support the mission of the University of Montana. 

At the University of Montana Foundation, the lives we change will change the world. We inspire donors to bolster UM’s mission of providing an accessible, affordable, and world-class education. 

We are committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the people and culture of the University we serve, fostering an environment that allows us to inspire each other to our best work. We act with integrity and respect, and work to create a team where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported. 

Why Work for Us? 

• Retirement Planning: 403(b) employer contribution of 11%, no employee match required!
• 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, including a 9 month-long fundraising training with Plus Delta Partners
• Competitive Pay: Candidates can request the starting pay range by emailing humanresources@supportum.org

Position Overview: 

This position executes activities that ensure growing and sustainable private support for Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Montana. This development professional will work in collaboration with the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development and the Athletic Director on furthering the strategic direction of Intercollegiate Athletics’ development programs through fundraising initiatives.  

This position works independently but reports to the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development, soliciting and closing gifts at the major gift level ($25,000 or more). They will work in close collaboration with the Athletic Director, coaches, and staff; other constituent directors of development; and several Foundation teams, including Prospect Research and Management, Marketing and Communications, Stewardship, Gift Planning and Gift and Fund Administration. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• In coordination with the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development and the Athletic Director, develops an understanding of and an ability to articulate the mission, vision and values of Grizzly Athletics programs
• Develops a pool of individual, corporate, and foundation prospects associated with each of the assigned sport’s fundraising priorities; manages a portfolio of leadership annual and major gift prospective donors with a focus on individuals and entities with a giving potential of $25,000 or more
• Develops and implements a cultivation and solicitation strategy for each assigned major gift prospective donor; maintains documented strategies for top tier prospects and meets established expectations for documentation of development activities
• Completes strategic personal visits with prospective major gift donors to advance relationships toward major gift commitments
• Builds productive working relationships and collaborative strategies for prospects with multiple interests across campus; works with Foundation, campus and volunteer partners to maximize identification, qualification, cultivation, and stewardship opportunities; participates in portfolio review meetings and other strategy development sessions
• Promotes a culture of high performance and continuous improvement and a commitment to quality including a rigorous schedule of development travel, as needed
• Meets established development performance metrics and expectations for face-to-face visits, delivery of proposals and progress toward annual fundraising pipeline

Ideal Candidate: 

• Shares a commitment to the mission and values of the Foundation
• Understands the role NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics plays in today’s higher educational setting, including how athletics develops leadership and other lifelong skills in students
• Has experience in fundraising, donor relations, or related fields; experience in higher education preferred
• Demonstrates a proven track record of securing major gifts and building donor pipelines.
• Excels in relationship building with donors and colleagues
• Possesses a high level of self-motivation and seizes fundraising opportunities through outreach and cultivation
• Is comfortable working independently and with a collaborative team

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: 

• Wednesday, August 27, 2025. 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.