For best consideration, complete applications should be received before February 16, 2026.

Complete information is available on the Search Profile.

The University of Montana Western seeks a confident and perceptive individual to serve in the executive leadership role of Chancellor. With the abilities to balance and prioritize, the Chancellor will possess the discernment to assess, modify, and define a path on which Montana Western can pursue its mission and goals. This executive administrator is responsible for effectively building on Montana Western’s steadily growing enrollment, leading-edge learning technology, and outstanding academic programs, while strategically strengthening and positioning the institution for further success.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Working closely with the President of the University of Montana, the Chancellor sets the vision and priorities of the University of Montana Western, ensuring that all are reflective of the institution’s mission of meeting the educational needs of its students.

The Chancellor will have the leadership skills, administrative experiences, and management abilities to effectively oversee the personnel, facilities, and operations of the University that serves a diverse population. In concert with the faculty and administrative staff, the Chancellor will set the goals, priorities, and direction of the institution, ensuring that all are reflective of Montana Western’s distinctive mission and strengths of serving the educational needs of southwest Montana, while remaining committed to academic excellence and broad student accessibility.

A confident and perceptive administrator who is able to make difficult decisions and to pursue strategic courses of action, the new Chancellor will work collaboratively with others. Together with the abilities to balance and prioritize, the Chancellor will possess the discernment and judgment to assess, modify, and find a coherent path on which Montana Western can pursue its mission and goals.

The executive officer’s leadership style will help preserve and enhance the connectedness of each part of the campus community. The Chancellor will embrace the role as Montana Western’s chief ambassador and excel in representing the University.

Regarded as a leader in the state, region, and local community as well as in academia, the Chancellor must have proven experience in developing partnerships and connections that benefit the institution’s goal to increase and extend its visibility and its reputation as a high-quality four-year state institution in Montana, the Nation, and the World.

Using imagination, perspective, and commitment, this leader will develop new channels of support. The executive officer will have responsibilities in developing and sustaining relationships with foundations, corporations, alumni, and friends to advance the University’s fundraising efforts.

A priority for the next Chancellor will be to ensure continuing improvements to the university’s recruitment, retention, and graduation rates.

QUALIFICATIONS

An essential quality in the incoming Chancellor is the ability to connect, collaborate, and building positive relationships with stakeholders in order to advance and complete capital campaigns.

• An earned terminal degree is preferred.
• Extensive academic and administrative experience at the level of Dean or higher is required.

The next Chancellor also will:

• Foster a vibrant and empowered community through a proven leadership style that evokes trust, welcomes collaboration, reflects confident decision making, and effectively engages the talents and experiences of the administration and faculty.• Recruit, develop, and lead faculty, staff, and administration effectively.
• Oversee a sound budgetary and fiscal planning process that sustains and enhances the institution’s long-term financial strength and utilizes its resources to their fullest.
• Develop and implement short- and long-term strategic goals and plans that are aligned with the University of Montana Western’s strategic plan.
• Provide a progressive vision for the future growth of the University in terms of teaching, scholarship, service, enrollment, finance, technology, and facilities.
• Work effectively with the Montana University System in advocating the needs and plans of the institution.

DILLON, MONTANA

A spectacular setting, Dillon, Montana, sits in the beautiful Beaverhead Valley, surrounded on three sides by the Continental Divide and seven mountain ranges.

Dillon provides a safe, small-town environment for Montana Western’s students, faculty, and staff. Concerts, theater, and other programs serve cultural needs of the community. Nearby recreational areas are ideal for nature study, picnics, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and skiing.

Southwest Montana and the Dillon area offer beautiful, unspoiled country with an abundance of mountains, lakes, forest, valleys, rivers, fish, and wildlife.

Yellowstone National Park is just 2.5 hours away. Less than 2 hours away is Bozeman, Montana, with an international airport, excellent shopping and restaurants, and more outdoor recreation opportunities.

Winters in Dillon are historically mild, and summers are pleasant with cool nights. The valley is noted for its typically crystal clear air and blue skies with abundant snow in the surrounding mountains but relatively little snow or rain in the valley.

Dillon has been recognized as one of “America’s Prettiest Towns” by Forbes magazine. Its natural amenities and small town charm have also earned the attention of National Geographic Adventure’s “31 great small towns.”

Dillon’s residents have access to premier healthcare and education. The town boasts a new, state-of-the-art hospital and Dillon’s elementary and high schools are among the top schools in the state.