Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC) announces an excellent opportunity to join the President’s Executive Team as the Executive Director of Foundation. 

FVCC is located in beautiful Northwest Montana, just 30 miles from Glacier National Park and 60 miles from the U.S.-Canada border. With our main campus located in Kalispell and a second campus located in Libby, FVCC serves nearly 100,000 residents over a two-county region covering more than 5.6 million acres, an area larger than the state of Massachusetts.

FVCC provides high-quality academic programs taught by world-class faculty who have studied, taught, conducted research and volunteered across the globe. Our students go on to lead successful lives whether they transfer to four-year colleges and universities or take advantage of more than 50 career and technical programs that prepare them to enter the workforce. FVCC also offers the Running Start program for eligible area high school students who want to get a jump start on their college education while saving a significant amount of money on tuition; online classes so students can learn anywhere at any time; classes taught via interactive television reaching students living in rural communities; select undergraduate and graduate degrees through partnerships with various Montana colleges and universities; customized workforce training for area businesses; and a wide variety of fun, enriching and affordable non-credit classes for all ages.

Our small class sizes, excellent student support services, diverse financial aid packages and scholarship opportunities along with the value of the education we provide are just a few of the many reasons why students choose to attend FVCC. Not only do students have the opportunity to study in a state-of-the-art learning environment, they thrive in our friendly community. FVCC faculty and staff know our students by their names and truly care about helping every student succeed.

FVCC is a leader among community colleges in its approach to meeting student and community needs.  FVCC boasts a strong STEM program and hosts a weekly presentation and discussion of STEM research projects taking place in and affecting the Flathead Valley.  In 2015, FVCC introduced Montana’s first brewing science and brewery operations program to prepare individuals for entry-level careers in the rapidly growing craft beer industry.  As one of only a handful of these programs in the nation, FVCC’s program was developed with input from many local craft brewing business to meet the workforce needs at the local and national levels. On-campus housing for students opened for occupancy fall of 2017.  The housing units include single and double bedrooms or up to 124 students.

Besides working at a top-notch educational institution, FVCC staff and faculty live in one of the most magnificent places on Earth with endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. FVCC’s main campus is located 30 minutes from the entrance to Glacier National Park, offering some of the most scenic hiking and camping in the world. The Flathead Valley is nestled between two of Montana’s powder wonderlands, Whitefish Mountain Resort and Blacktail Mountain Ski Area, which combined offer more than 4,000 acres of terrain to explore. And just 12 miles down the road from the main campus is Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River and a haven for sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and fishing.

We invite you to learn more about FVCC and this Executive Director position.

JOB TITLE:             
Executive Director, Foundation

DEPARTMENT:       
Administration

PAY RANGE:            
$85,000 - $100,000 per year depending on education and experience; full-time, benefit eligible

Generous Benefits includes:

• Health/Vision, Dental, Life/ADD & Long-term Disability Insurance: Generous Employer contribution toward the cost of this benefit
• Vacation Leave: Earn up to 15 days per year
• Sick Leave: Earn up to 12 days per year
• Holiday Leave: 12 per year
• Retirement: Participates in MT Public Employees Retirement System and Employer match up to 7% for 403(b)
• Tuition Waiver:  Employee plus up to two legal dependents

FLSA:                         
Exempt

CLOSING DATE:
Open until filled; however, the first review of applications received is within the second and third weeks of August 2021. 

SUMMARY:
Flathead Valley Community College is an outstanding public community college located on a beautiful campus in Kalispell, Montana with panoramic views of the northern Rocky Mountains and Glacier National Park.  Our vision is to improve lives through learning, and the trustees, faculty and staff are dedicated to values that foster and preserve the spirit of our college and promote and support the well-being and economic development of the communities we serve. We are seeking a committed professional to serve as the Executive Director of the Foundation. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Directs and leads fundraising efforts, with direction from the College, to support student scholarships, programs and capital projects that contribute to student success
• Advises the President and senior leadership regarding Foundation and community relations.  Provides strategic vision and leadership for the College; monitors issues, trends, and events in the community and advises the senior leadership team on planned programs of action.
• Directs the Foundation in setting strategic direction, leading the activities of the board of directors and associates; overseeing finances, grant development, investments, recruitment and stewardship of donors, the receipt and giving of private donations
• Serves as an ambassador for the College. Creates and maintains a collaborative and collegial environment with colleagues and maintains effective working relationships. Serves on internal and external boards and committees.
• Fosters cooperative relationships with media, community groups, business and industry, and other external partners to enhance and promote the College. Delivers quality customer services to both internal and external constituents in a professional helpful and courteous manner.
• Promotes a culture of leadership within a collaborative, team-oriented environment; supervises, recruits, develops, motivates, and evaluates a team in alignment with job expectations, professional roles, and the College mission
• Represents the Foundation to the media, develops and maintains solid working relations with members of the media to enhance and promote the College, and serves as the spokesperson as needed
• Creates a multi-year plan for the Foundation shaping and managing activities that promote the College mission and enhancing the College’s visibility and brand reputation. Promotes, encourages, and executes programs of continuous assessment and benchmarking of goals Oversees internal and external communications and marketing/public relations for the Foundation
• Oversees the promotion, development and organization of Foundation events, and represents the College at various events.
• Oversees the continued development of the Alumni and Friends (A&F) Council and the organization to strengthen advocacy and build friend/fundraising capacity
• Creates and maintains a collaborative and collegial environment with colleagues and maintains effective working relationships. Serves on internal and external boards and committees.
• Keeps abreast of the latest developments in applicable areas to help build strategic initiatives.
• Participates actively and with initiative in continuous improvement efforts to provide efficient and quality services.
• Performs other related duties and projects as assigned.
• Reports to the President.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field AND a minimum of five years of successful professional experience in major gift fundraising and public relations, OR,
• Master’s degree in related field AND a minimum of three years of successful professional experience in major gift fundraising and public relations, AND
• Valid Montana driver’s license with insurable driving record

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Certified Financial Planner certification (CFP)
• Master’s degree in related field
• Experience working with Raiser’s Edge software
• Professional fundraising experience in higher education or non-profit organization.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated skill in creating and managing a work climate of collaboration, collegiality and team work
• Demonstrated knowledge of strategic planning process, project management and grant development
• Skill in using fundraising technology and databases
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting practices and investment principles
• Ability to make decisions in high stress situations while maintaining the College’s integrity
• Ability and willingness to serve as a representative for the College  by interacting appropriately with the community
• Ability to work within policies and procedures of FVCC
• Ability to work non-traditional schedules including evenings, weekends, etc.
• Ability to travel and possess a valid driver’s license with insurable driving record.
• Ability to maintain effective and positive professional relationships
• Ability to follow and issue directions 
• Demonstrated communication, diplomacy, presentation, customer service, client relationship building, management skills, problem solving and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively with people from a variety of culturally diverse backgrounds
• Ability to maintain regular and acceptable attendance levels
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Ability to successfully pass criminal background, credit and driver’s license checks
• Ability to respond in the event of an emergency
• This is a Medium Duty job, according to the Selected Characteristics of Occupations Defined in the Revised Dictionary of Occupational Titles, U.S. Department of Labor and Industry.    Medium Duty involves exertion of 20-50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10-25 pounds frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds continuously to move objects.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must apply online at https://jobapply.page.link/FLKj ; paper submission of applications or resume materials are not accepted.  FVCC does not retain application materials for future consideration.

Additionally, applicants are required to submit the following documents by uploading them to the online application (NOTE: FVCC's applicant tracking system will time-out after 45 minutes of inactivity. Please have your documents ready to upload before you click the Apply button.) :

• Letter of application indicating how you meet the minimum qualifications and detail your work experience as it relates to the position's Knowledge, Skills and Abilities; AND
• A current, comprehensive resume; AND
• Unofficial transcripts for all degrees held. (As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will submit official transcripts for all degrees held to FVCC HR prior hire.  Only transcripts from accredited institutions will be accepted.), AND
• Three professional references, with complete contact information, must be provided on the application form. Professional references must be individuals most familiar with applicant's work experience, skills, and work behaviors and supervisory experience. Do not list family and friends for professional references.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION:  FVCC is an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action organization.  It is FVCC's policy that all individuals are entitled to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran’s status, service in the uniformed services as defined by state and federal law, physical or mental disability, national origin or ancestry except as authorized by law.  These protections extend to all management practices and decisions, including recruitment and hiring practices, appraisal systems, promotions, and training and career development programs, as required by federal and state laws.  

EMPLOYMENT SPONSORSHIP:  FVCC is not able to sponsor individuals seeking employment.   In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION'S, REFERENCE CHECKS, AND CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS: Prior to any offers of employment, FVCC conducts thorough employment verifications and reference checks and may contact organizations and individuals not listed on an applicant's application or resume.  Additionally, FVCC conducts post-offer criminal background checks. 

FVCC BOARD POLICY:  The FVCC Board Policy Manual is available to review at:  https://www.fvcc.edu/about-fvcc/board-of-trustees/fvcc-board-policy

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES:  FVCC provides reasonable accommodations upon request to qualified individuals with disabilities during all phases of employment including the application and selection process.  No applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE ACT:  Preference applies in hiring and provides a uniform method by which special consideration is given to qualified Veterans. Veterans’ Preference laws do not, however, guarantee Veterans a job, nor do they give Veterans’ preference in internal actions such as promotion, transfer, reassignment, and reinstatement.  I understand that applying for a preference is voluntary and that all information related to a preference is confidential and used only during the hiring process; the information will be maintained in a separate confidential file.  To claim Veterans' Preference, you must complete the Veterans' Preference Form (form is available at:  https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf) and email it along with document(s) that verify your eligibility for employment preference to Jobs@fvcc.edu.   Claims for Veterans' preference must be received by Human Resources prior to position closing date.    

WINDFALL ELIMINATION PROVISION:  Based on the Windfall Elimination Provision, I understand my employment may not be covered by Social Security.  To learn more about the Windfall Elimination Provision click https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10045.pdf.

AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.

EEO/AA