PRESS RELEASES

Executive Search for Associate Vice President, Development at University of Nevada, Reno

Bryant Group, a Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm, has been selected to recruit the Associate Vice President, Development for the University of Nevada, Reno. Bryant Group’s CEO, Sally Bryant, is spearheading this key search for the University.

“As the University of Nevada, Reno invests in its advancement function with Tracy Ostrem at the helm, the Associate Vice President, Development will play a critical role in ensuring a mature and sophisticated philanthropy program that will support the mission of the university for years to come,” said Bryant.

“We are seeking an individual who will lead fundraising efforts at the highest levels, take ownership of strategic initiatives, and implement the infrastructure necessary for philanthropic success,” said Tracy Ostrem, University of Nevada, Reno’s Vice President for University Advancement. “This position requires not only vision and creativity, but also a resolute commitment to execution–someone who is ready to actively engage and make a meaningful impact on our mission.”

The successful candidate will strategically support the university’s mission through building and managing a high-performing advancement team while personally cultivating and soliciting major gifts. Working closely with the Vice President of Advancement, the AVP, Development serves as a key liaison between the advancement division and university leadership, ensuring effective integration of fundraising efforts across campus to support institutional priorities and build a sustainable culture of philanthropy.

The AVP, Development will serve as the chief architect of the university’s fundraising enterprise, leading a dynamic team of frontline fundraisers, campaign strategists, and donor engagement professionals. This leader will drive major and principal gift strategies, oversee comprehensive development planning, and cultivate transformational partnerships with alumni, corporations, foundations and friends of the university.

The ideal candidate will bring a proven track record of securing significant philanthropic investments and demonstrate a deep commitment to higher education’s mission. Candidates will have strong knowledge of comprehensive fundraising strategies including major and principal gift fundraising, annual giving, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations and prospect research, along with proven ability to personally cultivate and solicit significant gifts while building and leading high-performing teams. Strong interpersonal and communication skills for working with diverse stakeholders, a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in higher education or nonprofit development are essential.

About the University of Nevada, Reno

Inspiring excellence since 1874, the University of Nevada, Reno is the state’s flagship public university and primary land-grant institution. Today, the university is recognized as a Research I (R1) institution by the Carnegie Classification, as well as a Carnegie Engaged University, and a top National University by U.S. News & World

Report. The beautiful main campus is situated on 290 acres, located on a scenic bluff at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The University also serves students at the Wayne L Prim campus, acquired from Sierra Nevada University in 2022, located just minutes from the shores of Lake Tahoe, America’s most renowned alpine lake. The University serves approximately 23,000 students and offers degree programs across multiple colleges, including highly regarded programs in engineering, journalism and medicine.

About the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation

The University of Nevada, Reno Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization separate from the University of Nevada, Reno. The Foundation was incorporated in 1981 to provide a mechanism for private individuals, corporations and foundations to make charitable gifts to the University. The Foundation receives, invests and administers funds to benefit the University, while honoring the philanthropic intent of its generous donors.

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.