PRESIDENT

Missoula, Montana

The President of the University of Montana (UM) serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Montana’s flagship public top-tier research university and provides strategic, values-driven leadership to advance impact, access, and inclusive prosperity. Reporting directly to the Commissioner of Higher Education, the Chief Executive Officer of the Montana University System, the President leads in a shared governance environment and works closely with the Board of Regents, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners across the state and beyond.

The President will provide UM with visionary leadership, stewarding the UM’s positive momentum at a pivotal moment for the institution. UM enjoys demonstrated maturity, operational stability, and an annual strategic operating rhythm. The campus community has strengthened enrollment and retention, achieved and reaffirmed both its Carnegie R1 status and its Carnegie Community Engagement status, earned recognition as the #1 Military Friendly University in the nation, expanded workforce-aligned and lifelong learning opportunities, and clarified a mission centered on inclusive prosperity.

The next President will build on this momentum, guide the university through continued change in higher education, and ensure UM remains accessible, excellent, and deeply connected to the people and communities it serves.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and strategic direction
Provide clear, steady, and forward-looking leadership that advances UM’s mission of inclusive prosperity and positions the university as a champion for Montana’s economic, civic, and cultural vitality. Set institutional priorities that respond to demographic, economic, and societal change while strengthening public trust in higher education.

Commitment to student success and post-graduation outcomes
Place student success at the center of decision-making, with sustained attention to access, retention, graduation, and post-graduation outcomes. Advance strategies that ensure education remains an accessible driver of opportunity and mobility for students across Montana and beyond.

Academic excellence
Foster a culture of academic rigor, innovation, and continuous improvement. Support faculty excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, mentoring, and creative work. Champion and strengthen initiatives that ensure access to high-quality education and efforts that enhance student learning, achievement, and experience.

Research and creative scholarship
Lead the continued growth and impact of UM’s research and creative scholarship enterprise. Ensure research and innovation contribute tangible statewide and regional benefit, supporting economic development, public problem-solving, and community resilience.

Inclusive prosperity and belonging
Champion policies and practices that promote access, belonging, and success for students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds.

Workforce and lifelong learning
Expand education and training opportunities for learners at all stages of life. Strengthen partnerships with employers, communities, and public agencies to align education with workforce, economic, and civic needs.

Community, tribal, and statewide engagement
Serve as UM’s chief ambassador and convener. Build strong, respectful relationships with Tribal Nations, state and local leaders, alumni, K–12 partners, industry, and community organizations. Strengthen UM’s role as a trusted statewide partner addressing Montana’s most pressing challenges.

Fundraising and advancement
Inspire philanthropic investment aligned with UM’s mission and public purpose. Cultivate relationships that expand scholarships, faculty excellence, research capacity, infrastructure, and strategic initiatives.

Operational and financial stewardship
Ensure fiscal responsibility, transparency, and effective allocation of resources. Build institutional capacity through thoughtful management of finances, people, infrastructure, and risk in a complex public environment.

Governance, compliance, and system collaboration
Administer Board of Regents policies under the supervision of the Commissioner of Higher Education. Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and accreditation standards, and collaborate effectively across the Montana University System.

ATTRIBUTES

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following attributes:

• Ability to thrive in a state university system led by a governing Board of Regents and Commissioner.
• Respect for the great history of the university, the state of Montana, and Montana’s population, including Montana’s Tribal Nations.
• Sound strategic planning and clear decision-making based on regional, national, and global trends in higher education.
• Principles, authenticity, and unquestioned integrity.
• Ability to advance initiatives while honoring shared governance and transparent decision-making.
• Ability to lead across difference and geography in a diverse and complex state.
• Efficacy in building trust in a challenging public and political environment.
• Ability to communicate and compel clearly, to listen authentically, and inspire broadly.
• Commitment to connecting institutional excellence to public benefit.
• Respect for and a demonstrated record in scholarship and academics.
• Strong sense of pride for public higher education.
• Proactive commitment to student-first, student-centered learning, and student support.
• Significant senior level administrative and management experience in leading, developing, and building consensus in a complex and competitive environment.
• Ability to champion the University with all stakeholders, including the state legislature, tribal leaders, business community leaders, industry partners, foundations, K-12, the statewide higher education sector, and the state's residents.
• Value of and support for intercollegiate athletics, student athletes, and athletics operations.
• Experience engaging and growing an active university alumni association.
• Ability to engage and grow fundraising activities to significantly increase endowed scholarships and annual giving.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will bring experience and accomplishments appropriate to leading a flagship public research university, including:

• Senior executive leadership in higher education or another complex organization. A successful candidate would have a distinguished record of academic achievement and scholarship at a degree-granting university or college, or senior leadership experience in a business, corporate environment, public sector, or nonprofit.
• Educational credentials or experience, and a record of professional accomplishments commensurate with the position of President of a top-tier doctoral research university.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, financial stewardship, and organizational leadership.
• A record of advancing student success, academic excellence, and institutional outcomes.
• Experience building partnerships and engaging external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to access, inclusion, and student achievement.
• Proven experience cultivating donor/client relationships and raising funds to support institutional priorities.
• Demonstrate a commitment to student success, faculty and staff development, and academic excellence.
• The ability to advance UM’s research agenda and foster innovation across disciplines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• A deep commitment to and demonstrated leadership in fostering an inclusive, accessible, and equitable academic community.
• Must be a U.S. citizen able to acquire appropriate security clearance level post hire.

APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS

This is an expedited search. For best consideration, please submit the required materials below as soon as possible:

• A letter of interest addressing the expectations and characteristics described above;
• A current résumé or curriculum vitae; and
• A list of five professional references with each person’s position, email address, and telephone number(s). References will not be contacted without prior authorization from the candidate.

Application materials should be submitted in PDF format through the AGB Search portal using this link: University of Montana - President.

Applications will remain confidential until the finalist is announced.

Additional information about the search and the university may be found on the University of Montana website at https://www.umt.edu/president/president-search/.

Please direct any nominations, expressions of interest, or questions regarding the application process to UMontanaPres@agbsearch.com or to the AGB Search consultants assisting the university with this search:

Roderick J. McDavis
Managing Principal & CEO
AGB Search, LLC
rod.mcdavis@agbsearch.com
(804) 514-1982

James H. McCormick
Senior Executive Search Consultant
AGB Search, LLC
jim.mccormick@agbsearch.com
(651) 238-5188

Janice S. Fitzgerald
Senior Executive Search Consultant
AGB Search, LLC
janice.fitzgerald@agbsearch.com
(717) 580-0663