Vice President, Institutional Advancement

Company: Sterling Search
Location: Helena
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Vice President, Institutional Advancement Helena, Montana Sterling Search Inc . has been exclusively retained to recruit the Vice President, Institutional Advancement at Carroll College. https://www.carroll.edu/ About Carroll College Fouded in 1909 by Bfessional college located in Helena, Montana. Inspired by its Catholic heritage and guided by the ecumenical principles of the Second Vatican Council, Carroll’s mission is to cultivate knowledge, virtue, and leadership through a holistic educational approach that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit. For over a century, Carroll has been a beacon of academic excellence and character development, combining a rigorous liberal arts foundation with professional preparation to empower students for success in a complex world. Guided by its motto, Non Scholae, Sed Vitae— “Not for school, but for life”—Carroll remains steadfast in its commitment to an education that extends well beyond the college experience. Position Summary Reporting to the President of Carroll College, the Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VP) is responsible for the strategic direction and leadership for philanthropic giving to the College and multi-year fundraising campaigns. The VP: ? Will play a leading role in the planning and successful execution of multi-year fundraising campaigns in addition to providing and implementing a strategic plan that increases major gifts and overall philanthropic giving to the College. ? Leads the Office of Institutional Advancement (OIA) team in the areas of alumni engagement, major gifts, prospect research, stewardship, database management, office manager and an administrative assistant. ? Will advise and support the College President and members of the Board of Trustees in the identification, cultivation and solicitation of major gifts. ? Will manage a personal portfolio of prospective donors with the capacity to contribute six to eight-figure gifts. ? Will establish programs and goals to improve personal and team growth and performance, as well as strengthen the College’s ability to achieve and sustain major and planned gift fundraising. The Opportunity The next Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VP) will step into a moment of extraordinary momentum at Carroll College. This 117-year-old institution has a proud legacy of delivering an exceptional, affordable education that propels students into competitive careers and top graduate, law, and medical programs. The VP will inherit a committed advancement team that is on track to achieve its first-ever $10 million annual fundraising milestone, a powerful indicator of both institutional strength and donor confidence. The Office of Institutional Advancement currently includes five direct reports (a total staff of 16) with plans to hire an AVP who will oversee four frontline fundraisers. This strategic addition will streamline the VP’s span of management to four direct reports, allowing for deeper focus on strategy, leadership, and external engagement. The team is also modernizing its infrastructure, leveraging Blackbaud NXT and implementing Fundraising Performance Management (FPM) to enhance data-driven decision-making and frontline productivity. An Interim VP from CCS Fundraising is in place to ensure continuity and provide a strong bridge to the incoming leader. This transition aligns with a pivotal moment for the College as Jennifer Glowienka, PhD., begins her tenure as Carroll’s first female president. With 25 years of tenure and known for her calm, strategic leadership style, President Glowienka brings a fresh vision and a collaborative approach that creates an ideal environment for a new VP to make an immediate and lasting impact. The previous Vice President also laid important groundwork by cultivating relationships with newly engaged alumni nationwide and by establishing the President’s Club, which invites supporters to commit at the $10,000 level. The new Vice President will be well positioned to build on this momentum and carry forward the success of the past year. Duties and Responsibilities Oversee and direct all fundraising activity for Carroll College; provide leadership in the planning and execution of multi-year fundraising campaigns. Provide visionary and strategic leadership that allows all members of the philanthropy team to understand their roles and contribute ideas to achieve individual and team goals. Hire, train and mentor new team members deemed necessary to increase philanthropic giving to Carroll College. Advise College President and Board of Trustees on best practices related to donor cultivation, stewardship, and solicitations; together cast vision and mission into fundraising priorities. Build meaningful relationships with College Cabinet leaders and faculty in order to learn about fundraising priorities and enlist their support in all campaign activities. Staff and work with the President to cultivate major gift donors and multi-year fundraising campaign prospects and donors; establish and solicit a personal portfolio of prospective donors. Establish appropriate performance and accountability measurements for the College’s major gift fundraising operation. Ensure high-quality prospect research, database and stewardship functions are supporting fundraising goals. Manage the administrative functions of the philanthropy program, including budget preparation and adherence, legal issues, preparation of policies and procedures, and execution of donor agreements in order to improve quality and to maintain regulatory compliance. Represent Carroll College at community and college-sponsored events. Complete agreements, memorandums of understanding, pledges, etc. Travel as necessary to cultivate and solicit major gifts. Perform those duties and responsibilities as requested by the College President Qualifications and Working Conditions Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in business management or related field is required, and a master’s degree is preferred. A minimum of 8 years of successful higher education fundraising experience in a leadership position and a track record of active participation in successful multi-year fundraising campaigns is preferred. Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Demonstrated success in fundraising initiatives including personal gift solicitation. An enthusiastic commitment to the mission of Carroll College, its diocesan Catholic heritage and traditions, and a passion to expand its educational impact in Montana, the Pacific Northwest and the nation. Ability to engage Carroll College leadership, Board of Trustees, philanthropy staff and volunteers in a culture of philanthropy to achieve campaign goals and objectives. Ability to design, implement, and execute a fundraising plan, including individualized cultivation, solicitation and recognition strategies, annual fund, planned giving, and corporate and foundation giving. Ten years of successful higher education major gift fundraising experience in a leadership position is preferred; a track record of active participation in successful multi-year fundraising campaigns. Previous experience identifying and securing six and seven-figure gifts from individuals and foundations. Capacity to educate about and prioritize fundraising activities for the College President and Board of Trustees. Ability to manage, train and motivate a philanthropy team that strives to achieve and exceed goals, leading by example in a visible, open, and transparent manner. Ability to manage staff developing useful data models to identify prospective individual major gift donors. A demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a broad spectrum of people, including faculty, staff, volunteers, donors, prospects, and College leadership. A “can-do” entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to pitch in to help the team. Physical Requirements: Must be able to communicate verbally and in writing, operate in a general office environment, operate a computer, do general lifting and stay in a stationary position for prolonged periods of time. Finalists for the position will be asked to provide a written response to Carroll College’s Mission Statement . About Helena, Montana Situated at the eastern edge of the Continental Divide, Helena, Montana, is a charming capitol city that blends small-town intimacy with world-class opportunities for outdoor recreation, arts, and culture. With a population of nearly 35,000 in the city and an additional 40,000 in the surrounding county, Helena offers an accessible and welcoming environment for Carroll College students and visitors alike. The city boasts one of the largest municipal park systems in the United States, featuring award-winning mountain biking, hiking, and walking trails that wind through its scenic landscapes. Its unique setting in the Rocky Mountains, coupled with proximity to national forests and designated wilderness areas, provides unparalleled access to outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, skiing, climbing, and fly fishing. Just minutes from campus, over 75 miles of trails and nearby landmarks like the Great Divide Ski Area and Missouri River offer year-round adventure, with Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks just a few hours away. Helena’s cultural offerings are equally impressive, showcasing a thriving arts scene that includes the Holter Museum of Art, the internationally renowned Archie Bray Foundation for Ceramic Arts, and numerous local galleries. Students and residents can enjoy performances by the Helena Symphony, Montana Shakespeare Company, and Grandstreet Theatre, or visit the Myrna Loy Center for contemporary arts. Annual events, such as festivals, concerts, symphonies, rodeos, sled dog races, and art shows, add to the city’s lively atmosphere and create opportunities for year-round entertainment and engagement. As Montana’s state capitol, Helena also offers unique opportunities for internships and employment in government, nonprofits, and local businesses. Carroll College students often take advantage of these resources to gain practical experience, working in the offices of state and national senators, the governor’s office, and various state agencies. This proximity to professional opportunities complements the city’s natural beauty and cultural richness, making Helena a distinctive location for both education and personal growth. Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends; travel extensively to meet prospective donors. Ability to utilize the following computer software programs: Raiser’s Edge, Microsoft suite. Valid driver’s license required. With its clear, sunny weather, Helena enjoys four distinct seasons, offering a balance of outdoor and cultural activities year-round. Summer highs range from 70° to 90°F, while winter temperatures typically range from 10° to 30°F, with an average of 61 snow-covered days annually. Direct all correspondence, emails, and telephone calls to Sterling Search, Inc. Katie@sterlingsearchinc.com 858- 229- 3606

Keywords: Sterling Search, Great Falls , Vice President, Institutional Advancement, PR / Public Relations , Helena, Montana