Department: Administration & Finance

Position: Contract Professional, full-time, full benefits package

Wage: $125,000

Union Affiliation: None

Starting Date: August 2026 or sooner

Location: Dillon, Montana

Benefits Include:

• Insurance package,
• Mandatory retirement plan,
• Dependent partial tuition waiver,
• Faculty/staff tuition waiver
• Wellness program:

Reporting directly to the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor of Administration and Finance serves as a member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet and the Executive Councils. The Vice Chancellor provides leadership, stewardship, and direction for the financial and administrative functions of the campus and serves as the strategic advisor to institutional leadership on fiscal, operational, and administrative issues.

The Vice Chancellor ensures the operation and effectiveness of the following:

• The financial health of the university, providing clear communication on the financial position of the organization to the executive leadership team, the Office of the Commissioner of HigherEducation, and the overall campus.
• Financial services, audits, business services, contracting and purchasing, budget planning and analysis, and debtmanagement.
• Campus auxiliary services, facilities operations and planning, capital construction, human resources, and payroll andbenefits.
• The annual campus budgeting process and budget management for campus units in a transparent and inclusive manner.
• Human resources management throughout the institution in concert with current best practices to improve recruitment, retention, employee development, employee engagement, and employee recognition.
• Provides financial forecasts, capital budgeting, long-range development, and financial planning for major and minor projects.
• The development, maintenance, and oversite of internal controls to safeguard the financial integrity of the university and ensure compliance with federal, state and system regulations and policies.
• Supervision of and collaboration with the facilities team to obtain information and make recommendations on capital projects.
• University policies and procedures that comply with state statutes and Board of Regent policies developed and reviewed in collaboration with the Chancellor and senior leadership.
• Promotion and support of the university's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusivity among the campus community.
• Other related tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the Chancellor
• The Vice Chancellor has direct supervision for the departments of Business and Campus Services, Facilities Services, Human Resources (including Payroll and Benefits), Dining, Conference and Events Services, and serves as the chief financial officer.

Candidates should have a master’s degree in administration or a business-related field (or combination of degree and experience deemed equivalent). A minimum of five years of progressively responsible senior leadership in a financial or administrative management role with increasing levels of demonstrated responsibility within a higher education setting, or a comparable, large, complex organization, is required.

Additional requirements include:

• Demonstrated leadership in budgeting, planning & analysis.
• Demonstrated ability in effective planning and policy decision making.
• Experience in leading and supervising senior-level directors accountable for key operational functions serving the university.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills with evidence of collaborative, ethical, team-oriented management, and leadership style.
• Skill in working collaboratively with community.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge, skill, and expertise in fund accounting, financial management, and administrative operations.

Preferred

• Thorough knowledge or extensive experience in public sector budget development and management, government accounting, and human resources.
• Previous experience in a similar capacity with a Montana state agency or university.

Application

For best consideration, please submit all application materials by Friday, June 5, 2026. Review of applications will begin immediately following this date and will continue until the position is filled.

For questions relating to this position contact Amelia Gardner-Knox at 406-683-7031 or by email at amelia.gardnerknox@umwestern.edu.

A complete application Includes:

1. Letter of Interest – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position. A general letter salutation such as “Dear Search Committee” or “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable.
2. Curriculum Vitae/Detailed Resume
3. Official or Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts (Official transcripts will be required at time of hire)
4. Professional References – names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

*Please note: only five (5) attachments are allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.

**Applying through Indeed.com or easy apply through Indeed.com may result in submission of an incomplete application. Applications may be removed from full consideration if they are not complete with materials listed above under the "How to Apply" section. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure complete application materials are submitted and received by the date listed above.

The University and Dillon Area

The University of Montana Western is a dynamic, innovative, undergraduate university with over 70 full-time faculty and over 1,200 students. It is located in Dillon, Montana in the scenic Rocky Mountains and has been awarded numerous top national rankings for delivering high quality, affordable education.

Montana Western is the only public four-year college in the nation offering Experience One (X1), experiential learning delivered on the block schedule. Class sizes are small and students take a single course at a time, three hours each day for 18 days, before moving on to the next course. Each course is four credits and four blocks are offered each semester. The block schedule facilitates field and lab work, undergraduate research, study travel, and interdisciplinary teaching. Montana Western’s faculty strongly believe in mentoring and inspiring students, and assisting them in the transition from university life to professional careers.

The University of Montana Western is an integral part of the Dillon Community. With a population of 5,000 people, Dillon is known for outstanding public schools, safe environments, recreational opportunities, and an excellent quality of life.

The University of Montana Western is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from qualified women, minorities, veterans and people with disabilities. Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the Offer of Employment In accordance with University regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing: Individual hiring departments at UMW may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UMW, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

The Affiliation of the University of Montana (UM Affiliation) is an equal opportunity employer. UM Affiliation does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of protected class status as described in UM’s non-discrimination policy and any applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the offer of employment. In accordance with university regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.

References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. UM partners with SkillSurvey for reference checking. Applicants may receive emails from SkillSurvey to submit reference information.

Testing: Individual hiring departments within the UM Affiliation may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM and all affiliated campuses, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9). The University of Montana will require proof of authorization to work in the United States before final hiring. Due to the September 19, 2025 Presidential Proclamation and related guidance from USCIS and the Department of State, the University may be limited in its ability to offer H-1B sponsorship. At this time, we are unable to sponsor new H-1B visas that require payment of the additional fee introduced by the Proclamation.