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Bryant Group Launches National Search for Assistant Vice President for Advancement, OU Health Campus at the University of Oklahoma Foundation

Bryant Group, a Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm, has been selected to recruit the Assistant Vice President for Advancement, OU Health Campus for the University of Oklahoma Foundation, Inc. Bryant Group Vice President Sarah Hempen is spearheading this key search for the Foundation.

“We’re seeking a dynamic leader with principal gift expertise and a proven track record of building high-performing teams to help us realize the tremendous philanthropic potential of the OU Health Campus,” said Amy Noah, Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer at the University of Oklahoma Foundation. “This role offers a rare opportunity to shape advancement strategy across seven health professional colleges, partner closely with exceptional deans and faculty, and advance a best-in-class operation positioned to achieve $100 million in annual support. The ideal candidate will be energized by the challenge of elevating our team’s performance and deepening our donor relationships to advance the teaching, research and clinical mission that makes such a profound impact on healthcare access and workforce development across Oklahoma.”

The successful candidate will serve as a senior leader responsible for designing, executing and managing a comprehensive fundraising and engagement strategy that supports the University of Oklahoma Health Campus. This is a vital leadership role that combines strategic oversight of the Health Campus advancement team with direct engagement in principal-level gift solicitation, intending to build a robust pipeline to achieve $100 million in annual philanthropic support. The AVP will serve as the primary liaison between the Foundation and Health Campus leadership, fostering seamless collaboration across the seven health professional colleges (College of Allied Health, College of Dentistry, College of Medicine, Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, Hudson College of Public Health and the Health Graduate College) to advance the institution’s bold vision for medical education, research and patient care.

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned advancement professional with extensive, progressive fundraising experience, including substantial work within academic health systems and comprehensive campaigns. They must demonstrate proven success in soliciting principal-level commitments—including seven- and eight-figure gifts—along with deep technical knowledge of complex giving vehicles. Essential qualifications include a proven track record of inspiring, managing and building high-performing teams in metrics-driven environments, alongside the ability to serve as a strategic partner to deans and Health Campus leaders. A bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 12 years of progressively responsible experience are required.

About the University of Oklahoma Health Campus

The University of Oklahoma Health Campus, located in Oklahoma City, is one of only a few comprehensive academic health systems in the nation. It brings together seven health professional colleges (Allied Health, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health and the Graduate College), alongside an NCI-accredited cancer center, a diabetes center and a Level 1 trauma center. With over 3,900 students, the Health Campus is dedicated to preparing the next generation of health professionals and driving innovation in patient care and translational research, making a profound impact on healthcare access and workforce development across Oklahoma. Since July 1, 2020, the Health Campus has raised over $260 million toward the University’s $2 billion Lead On campaign.

About the University of Oklahoma Foundation, Inc.

Established in 1944, the University of Oklahoma Foundation, Inc. is an independent non-profit organization that manages philanthropic gifts to support the University of Oklahoma. The Foundation plays a crucial role in ensuring the University’s continued success and impact by aligning donors’ passions with the University’s mission, acting as a catalyst to empower the delivery of excellence in higher education at the University of Oklahoma.

Advancing Great Leadership

Bryant Group, based in Dallas, Texas, and with associates located across the United States, specializes in executive search and leadership coaching for higher education, healthcare and nonprofits with an emphasis on advancement leaders and other executives. In 1988, Bryant Group founder Chris Bryant started one of the country’s first search firms specializing in philanthropy recruitment. Now under the leadership of CEO Sally Bryant, the woman-owned firm has a long history of recruiting, developing and coaching great leaders. Bryant Group has impacted more than 10,000 leaders and served more than 300 organizations across the US and Canada.