"Vice President of Advancement"

Position Summary

Fort Lewis College (FLC) is an institution on the move. Over the past four years, FLC has consistently exceeded fundraising goals, setting records year after year. In tandem with a new and bold strategic plan, FLC seeks to build on this culture of success by welcoming a dynamic and outcomes-driven professional to guide institutional advancement into the next era.

The Vice President for Advancement is FLC’s chief development officer and a key advisor to the President, who leads a strong and dedicated team. Areas of team responsibility include: major gifts, planned gifts, annual giving, corporate and Foundation relations, and development systems and services.

The Vice President for Advancement also serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Fort Lewis College Foundation, a private nonprofit, which is the fundraising and fund management entity supporting FLC. The position works closely with the Board of Directors to raise, invest, budget, and steward private contributions made to the Foundation in support of the College.

Reporting to the President of the College, the Vice President/CEO works closely with the Fort Lewis College Foundation Board of Directors, the Fort Lewis College Board of Trustees, and the President’s executive leadership team to set strategic direction and execute all fundraising and development activities and services.

For more information regarding this important search, please see: https://www.fortlewis.edu/administrative-offices/human-resources/careers/vp-advancement

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• 7 or more years of fundraising experience, including experience in a university advancement setting
• Minimum three years of supervisory experience
• Deep understanding of the role of philanthropy and the catalytic change in higher education.
• Proven track record of providing strategic direction, leadership, and operational management resulting in a marked improvement in execution and revenue growth.
• Demonstrated sustained fundraising success including creating and aligning goals and strategies with the broader College vision.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate, solicit, and secure major gifts and the ability to match the needs and objectives of prospective donors with the fundraising goals of the College.
• Serve as a strategic partner to campus leadership, designing and executing initiatives and campaigns to increase fundraising at FLC.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming campus community and ability to translate FLC’s mission into meaningful philanthropic partnerships.
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills that can convey the importance of FLC’s mission and strategic plan to existing donors and potential donors.
• In-depth knowledge of advancement office operational models and functions, including experience with budget preparation, planning, and resource management in higher education or with a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization
• Experience and demonstrated success working with a governing board.
• Experience with alumni relations and/or understanding of the role of alumni relations in advancement.
• Proven management experience and administrative skills to organize, direct, motivate and evaluate other professionals, support staff, and volunteers.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, matrixed organization focused on outcomes
• Ability to meet the Authorized Driver Policy and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Major Responsibilities

• Provide philanthropic vision, strategy, and leadership to the development team and campus that is aligned with the College strategic plan
• Serve as the lead fundraiser actively developing and engaging high net-worth individuals, institutional funders, corporations and foundations, and others interested in supporting the College mission.
• Lead a team of professionals including advancement services, financial manager, development officers, and constituent relations.
• Lead the gift staff in defining and refining individual fundraising strategies and goals that will sustain the future of FLC
• Work directly with campus leaders, including vice presidents, deans, directors, and others to create gifts in support of the College’s mission and service to students
• Coordinate all College initiatives with major gift prospects, including clearing approaches and timing, maintaining a record of all subsequent interactions, and monitoring and reporting on major gift activity
• Staff the President in major gift cultivation and solicitation
• Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities
• Maintains knowledge and awareness of digital accessibility, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 508.
• Produces and remediates digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards.
• Other duties as assigned

Work Conditions

• Regular travel is expected, primarily within Colorado, to engage with alumni, donors, and partners. Occasional travel to regional or national events as needed.
• Moderate noise (i.e., business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).
• Ability to work in a confined area.
• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period.

Compensation

Salary range is $163,500 to $181,500, and up to $40,000 in donated salary supplement from the Foundation, in addition to a comprehensive benefits package.

Application Process

A complete application packet includes:

• Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for position
• Resume
• Names and contact information for five current, professional references

Application Deadline

Application materials received by 11:59 p.m. on January 1, 2026, will receive full consideration

Questions and inquiries

CBIZ Higher Education is partnering with Fort Lewis College on this important search. Please direct nominations and inquiries about this opportunity to:

Pelema Ellis, Ph.D., EVP & Head, Higher Education Practice
pelema.ellis@cbiz.com

The successful candidate will be required to submit original, official college transcripts, and pass a background check.

About Fort Lewis College

On a sage-brushed mesa overlooking downtown Durango and the La Plata Mountains, Fort Lewis College is Southwest Colorado’s premier public undergraduate research institution. With more than half of the 3,300 students identifying as people of color, FLC’s academic programming and campus life thrive on nurturing safe, diverse spaces for intellectual exploration and helping people achieve their career goals. A Native American-serving, Non-Tribal Institution, FLC is committed to promoting economic development in neighboring tribal communities and connecting students with the education they need to be the change in the world they want to see. Degree programs span the arts, business, education, health sciences, humanities, and social and natural sciences. Coursework builds on the natural, cultural, and historical resources found around the Four Corners region. Students work closely with faculty on research projects with real-world implications. Like the mountain town it resides in, FLC promotes a culture of work-life balance for students, faculty, and staff. Skyhawks enjoy unparalleled access to a healthy outdoor lifestyle thanks to 300 days of sunshine a year and more than 300 miles of hiking and biking trails in and around Durango