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

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• 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 4, 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

Notice to Prospective Employees:
 The Fort Lewis College is required by the Clery Act of 1990 to notify prospective employees, current employees, students and applicants where to access our Campus Security Report.  The report is updated and published annually in accordance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, Federal Student Right-to-Know, the Federal Drug-free Schools and Campuses Act of 1989. This report contains information about:

• Fort Lewis College's alcohol and other drug policy

• Sexual assault policy

• Campus security policies

• Campus/community resources

• The Colorado Riot Offense Statute restriction on enrollment

• Where to find registered sex offender information

• Crime statistics for the previous three calendar years

• Reporting crimes

 
 The Campus Security Report can be accessed in two ways:
By going to the internet website at:   www.fortlewis.edu/AnnualSecurityReport Fort Lewis College Student Affairs Office will also provide a paper copy of the annual security report upon request.   You can reach them at (970) 247-7331.

Equal Opportunity
Fort Lewis College does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, sex*, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family or domestic status, political beliefs, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information. Accordingly, equal opportunity for employment shall be extended to all persons. The College shall promote equal opportunity, equal treatment, and affirmative action efforts to increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff. The College is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. To file a report, get resources, read policies, or make an appointment, See www.fortlewis.edu/CARE.

Discrimination Questions?

Office of Compliance and Community Standards
David Pirrone, Director of Compliance
210 Berndt Hall
1000 Rim Drive
Durango, Colorado 81301
(970) 247-7182 djpirrone@fortlewis.edu

Questions about Title IX sex discrimination?    
Office of the Title IX Coordinator
Madeleine Gillman, Assistant Director of Compliance and Title IX Coordinator
210 Berndt Hall
1000 Rim Drive
Durango, Colorado 81301
(970) 247-7049 mgillman@fortlewis.edu

Information about Fort Lewis College’s alcohol and drug policy, sexual assault policy, campus security policies, campus crime statistics, fire safety procedures and fire statistics, and campus/community resources can be found in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. Hard copies are available upon request.

* Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Fort Lewis College may be directed to FLC's Title IX Coordinator and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education.

ADAA Accommodations
Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Kristin Polens by phone 970-247-7459 or email kpolens@fortlewis.edu at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.