Vice President for Institutional Advancement

INTRODUCTION

Carroll College seeks a highly accomplished and experienced Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VPIA) to lead the activities related to increasing philanthropic gifts to the college. Reporting to the President of Carroll College, the VPIA is responsible for the strategic direction and leadership for philanthropic giving to the college and all campaigns. They will play a leading role in the planning and successful execution of capital campaigns in addition to providing and implementing a strategic plan that increases major gift and overall philanthropic giving to the college.

The VPIA leads the Office of Institutional Advancement (OIA) team in the areas of prospect research, stewardship, alumni engagement, database management, and office management. They will advise and support the College President and members of the Board of Trustees in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of major gifts. The VPIA will also manage a personal portfolio of prospective donors with the capacity to contribute six- to eight-figure gifts. They 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 successful candidate is passionate about partnering with an engaged and successful President and Executive Leadership Team and collaborating with an involved Board to grow a culture of philanthropy on behalf of Carroll. With a demonstrated record of leadership in advancement, the candidate will inspire donors, the Board, faculty, and staff to raise the necessary resources for Carroll College to thrive.

About Carroll College

Founded in 1909, by Bishop John Carroll, Carroll College is a Catholic, diocesan, liberal arts college in the ecumenical tradition of the Second Vatican Council. Situated in Helena, the capital city of Montana, the college is nestled in the scenic Rocky Mountains. The college has 21 buildings on a 63-acre campus, has over 35 academic majors, participates in 15 NAIA athletic sports, and is home to All Saints Chapel and the newly remodeled Corette Library and Simperman Learning Commons. Carroll is consistently recognized for excellence in academic programs, athletics, value, and the accomplishments of our alumni.

In U.S. News and World Report’s 2023-2024 edition of Best Colleges, Carroll College ranks #3 of the best Regional Colleges West, and #1 in Best Value Schools. Carroll College has been ranked #1 in the west for 11 out of the past 13 years.

In addition to this source, Carroll is recognized in Montana for its distinction as:

#1 for four-year graduation rates;
#1 for retention;
#1 in medical school placement;
#1 for nursing NCLEX pass rate;
#1 for lifetime graduate earnings, and;
#1 for net importer of talent to Montana.

Mission

Carroll College provides a learning and living environment where faith, reason, and free inquiry aid the search for truth in order to cultivate enlightenment, a professional calling, spiritual inquiry, and a commitment to the common good. Read more.

Objectives

Carroll’s motto is “Non scholae, sed vitae - Not for school, but for life,” advancing its mission by fulfilling the following objectives:

Instilling an enduring wonder for knowledge that will prepare students for leadership and their chosen vocations.
Offering an integrative and value-centered education rooted in freedom of inquiry.
Engaging faithfully the intellectual tradition and the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Serving all with humility, especially our neighbors who are poor and marginalized.
Welcoming all persons of good will in a cooperative journey toward truth and virtue.

Values

From these mission objectives, Carroll affirms the following values:

We are on a journey of discovery for the purpose of vocation and enlightenment.
We cultivate habits of exploring the world more deeply and with ongoing curiosity.
We explore ethical questions that bring purpose to education.
We seek truth in all intellectual pursuits without fear or prejudice.
We affirm that faith and reason are complementary in the search for truth and intrinsic to a Catholic education.
We are rooted in an ongoing tradition of those who have modeled a culture of critical inquiry and authentic dialogue.
We journey toward justice with those we serve in compassion and mercy.
We work together for the greater good of our communities.
We engage many perspectives, including those outside our own, with empathy and generosity.
We share a common pilgrimage with members of all religious faiths and all persons of goodwill.

Students and Campus Life

Students learn by doing, with access to internships, study abroad, experiential and service-learning opportunities, and undergraduate research. In addition, Carroll has over 35 active student clubs or student groups that host nearly 350 events annually.

One of the student groups, CAMP, or Carroll Adventure and Mountaineering Program, offers mountain biking, kayaking, trail running, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, and more. CAMP provides trips for students to explore the outdoors during academic breaks, such as a spring break trip to Moab, Utah. The Carroll College newspaper, The Prospector, is student-run and student-written.

The Carroll campus is located just a few blocks from downtown Helena, one block from a golf course and a shopping area, five minutes to Mount Helena, 20 minutes to Canyon Ferry Lake, 30 minutes to the nearest campground, and 35 minutes to a chairlift heading up a mountain for a great day of skiing. In addition, Carroll students regularly contribute over 17,000 volunteer service hours annually to the community.

Location

Carroll’s campus rests on 63 acres at the edge of downtown and historic Helena, the capital city of Montana. The surrounding beauty of the Rocky Mountains and Montana fosters wonder and awe, giving the perfect backdrop to a worldly education. More than 75 miles of hiking and biking trails are just minutes from campus, and Helena is near the Continental Divide Trail, natural hot springs, Great Divide Ski Area and the Missouri River. Yellowstone NP and Glacier NP are just a few hours away.

Job Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in business management or related field is required, and a master’s degree is preferred. A minimum of eight years of successful higher education fundraising experience in a leadership position and a track record of active participation in successful capital campaigns is preferred.

Description

Carroll College invites applications for our Associate Vice President of Enrollment. This position is the College’s chief enrollment professional who provides leadership, strategic thinking and in-depth analysis for a comprehensive enrollment management plan for Carroll College. This person leads and supervises the Admissions and Financial Aid departments and is the driving force of the College’s efforts in the recruitment of new students to all current and future undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree/certificate programs and post-bac/graduate programs.

In addition, this position works collaboratively with campus stakeholders in other departments, including academic departments and support services, faculty, alumni and the athletic department, to ensure the effectiveness of recruitment and enrollment operations. This person oversees the development of effective policies and procedures related to student enrollment and generates reports and identifies data to inform the campus community of enrollment data and trends. Responsibilities include achievement of annual enrollment, special population and net revenue goals.

This position works closely with the Vice President for Student Engagement to ensure that enrollment strategies and efforts are aligned and cohere with the mission of the College, strategic plans and budget expectations and represent faithfully the critical work occurring in other campus departments.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area with at least eight years of relevant experience. A Master's Degree and experience working within Catholic higher education is preferred.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

To Apply

To view the detailed job description for this position, please visit gonsergerber.com/vpia.

Benefits Include

Employer-sponsored Medical insurance, Wellness program, and Employee Assistance Program
Voluntary Dental, Vision, Pet Insurance and more
403(b) Retirement Plan with matching contributions from the College
Tuition Remission and potential Tuition Exchange benefits
Very generous Holiday, Vacation, Sick, and other Leave benefits to include up to 20 days of paid holidays
Employer-provided Life and Long-Term disability benefits
Other unique benefits such as tickets to home athletic events, rental of outdoor equipment, access to the campus workout facility, and more.

The position will remain open until filled. Salary is commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications. Carroll College is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment for all.

Finalists for the position will be asked to provide a written response to Carroll College’s mission statement.

Nominations and Applications

Nominations and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Inquiries, nominations, and applications may be directed in confidence to:

Gonser Gerber Search,
c/o Gonser Gerber LLP
1776 Legacy Circle, Suite 100
Naperville, IL 60563

search@gonsergerber.com

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resumé, and three (3) professional references. To view the detailed job description for this position, please visit gonsergerber.com/vpia. References will not be contacted until later in the search process. Nominations and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Diverse and traditionally underrepresented candidates are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Carroll College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment for all.