Description
The Opportunity
The University of Montana is seeking an innovative leader to serve as Dean of the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation. This leadership role comes at a dynamic time, with the College well-positioned for growth and transformation in fields that include the environment, sustainability, energy, earth systems, natural resources, and conservation to address problems through multiple perspectives via research, teaching, and policy engagement.
The next Dean will build on the College’s momentum, advancing dynamic curricular innovations that prepare people to work and lead in environment, conservation, sustainability, and earth system sciences. The College recognizes the rapidly shifting significance of these disciplines alongside emerging technologies, such as generative AI, on policy and practice in the field. The successful candidate will lead the College in integrating forward-thinking strategies into the curriculum, bolstering student success, securing development funding, and maintaining its impact across Montana, the region, and the nation.
As Dean, you will lead the College to the cutting edge of environment, sustainability, conservation, and earth system sciences. Your leadership will be essential in driving key strategic priorities, including enhancing student success, securing new resources through fundraising, and positioning the College as a national leader.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Provide vision and direction for the College’s five departments. Lubrecht Experimental Forest, Bandy Ranch as well as eight research, academic, and service centers to shape an academic environment that is responsive to current and future trends.
- Innovative Program Development: Collaborate with faculty to enhance curricular and co-curricular offerings that include experiential learning and the responsible and ethical use of generative AI in teaching and research, among others.
- Student Success: Foster a culture of student-centered environment that emphasizes engagement, retention, persistence, and career readiness through expanded experiential learning and mentorship.
- Fundraising and Development: Build and sustain relationships with donors, alumni, and industry partners to secure resources for scholarships, research, and innovative initiatives.
- Inclusive Prosperity: Foster a welcoming community that embraces many perspectives while ensuring equitable access to opportunities within the College.
- Community Engagement and Partnerships: Elevate the College’s visibility and influence through external partnerships local and regional organizations, industry, local and state government, and other campus units, positioning the College as statewide and national leader.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- An earned doctorate or equivalent terminal degree from a regionally accredited university
- Record of teaching, research, and service to warrant faculty rank of Professor
- Demonstrated experience in successful academic leadership and management, including proven ability to inspire and lead faculty, staff, and students through collaboration and clear communication
- An entrepreneurial mindset with a record of success in fundraising, donor engagement, and strategic financial management Demonstrated ability to support, collaborate effectively with, and serve constituents from various levels within an organization, across various protected-class identities and personal/cultural backgrounds, and with a range of needs and perspectives
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills, sound professional judgment, advanced critical thinking skills, and a demonstrated commitment to collegiality
- Knowledge of emerging trends in environment, sustainability, conservation, and earth system sciences and a clear vision for how these developments can be incorporated into the College’s future
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated strategic leadership in higher education
- Administrative experience in an academic setting with similar academic programs and areas of research
- Experience with developing and implementing online courses and academic programs
- Experience with interdisciplinary education, research, and innovation
- Excellent interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with current and potential students, staff, faculty, alumni, other administrators and external constituencies
- Experience in mentoring and guiding students at the undergraduate and graduate level
Application Instructions
Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, MUS Contract and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.
Screening of applications will begin after Sunday, October 19, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
A complete application includes:
- Letter of Interest – addressing the stated required skills for the position
- Detailed resume listing education and describing work experience
- Three (3) professional references - Names and contact information
The University of Montana is interested in receiving applications from people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.
Application Process
This institution is using Interfolio's Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
University of Montana (UM) is an equal opportunity employer. UM 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. Testing: Individual hiring departments at UM 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, 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. Further, based on the September 19, 2025, Presidential Proclamation and accompanying guidance from the USCIS and Dept. of State, the University may not be able to offer H-1B sponsorship. Particularly the University is not able to pay the $100,000 payment accompanying new H-1B visa petitions.