Vice President for Advancement

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) appreciates your interest in employment at our growing institution. We want your application process to go smoothly and quickly. Final applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment.

If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact our recruitment helpline at (775) 784-1495 or . For UNR Med professional job postings, please contact the Office of Professional Recruitment at (775) 784-6778.

Job Description

The University of Nevada, Reno (University of Nevada or Nevada), the flagship land-grant institution of the Nevada System of Higher Education, seeks a proven and aspirational vice president for advancement (VP) to lead all development and alumni engagement efforts. The VP also serves as the executive director of the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation, a separate 501(c)3 organization which strategically partners with University Advancement (UA) to achieve its mission of making the greatest possible impact with donors’ investments. Reporting to an engaged and ambitious leader in President Brian Sandoval, an alumnus and the former governor of Nevada from 2011 to 2019, and partnering closely with the chair of the Foundation board, the next VP has the unique opportunity to build a best-in-class advancement operation during an exciting and transformative moment in the University’s history.

Success for the next VP will, in part, be defined by an ability to broadly engage all constituents of the Nevada community in advancement efforts; implement best practices and innovation to modernize the current advancement infrastructure; and design and communicate an overarching vision and strategy to integrate the functions across the UA division. Furthermore, the VP will strategically leverage the president in the philanthropic community to support the University of Nevada’s newly unveiled strategic priorities and institutional goals. With oversight for a team of 40 staff across development, alumni engagement, and support areas such as UA finance, IT administration, and investment oversight, the VP will set clear and achievable expectations that inspire staff to meet and exceed goals to unlock the full philanthropic potential of the University in the Reno, Las Vegas, and Lake Tahoe communities and beyond. As executive director of the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation, the VP will serve as a non-voting member and work closely with the Foundation Board, Executive Committee, and board chair to manage its operations and finances, as well as advance the fundraising and engagement activities of the University’s philanthropic priorities.

Minimum Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and ten years or master’s degree and eight years of related professional experience in fundraising in higher education or a large nonprofit organization at the major and principal gift levels, experience with high-level corporate, foundation, and individual donor prospects and personally securing major gifts, or related. This individual must also be able to show proof of a valid driver’s license as well as conduct required travel to statewide University sites, events, conferences, and other businesses. Some evenings and weekends required.

Preferred Professional Qualities and Experience

• A deep appreciation for the mission, culture, achievements, and aspirations of the University of Nevada, and the ability to articulate its distinguished history, uniqueness, and relevance. A passion for education, the pursuit of knowledge, and the discipline of academic research.
• At least ten years of leadership experience across all alumni engagement and development functions, within organizations of similar scale and complexity, preferably in higher education.
• The ability to co-create and articulate a vision for the future and to craft a development program capable of building that future, engaging broad constituents in the process.
• Proven management skills in establishing a team- and goal-oriented environment that empowers staff through active communication, transparency, and delegation and that builds confidence, promotes diversity of thought, and celebrates achievements.
• The political savvy to navigate a complex public academic institution; the ability to build consensus and strong collaborative relationships with all members of an operation across the university and a diverse body of alumni and constituents.
• Demonstrated success in personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding principal and transformational gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
• A proven track record of experience in leading and managing a comprehensive campaign from inception to conclusion.
• Exemplary interpersonal and listening skills, as well as intellectual depth, maturity, and confidence to garner the trust of the president, senior academic and administrative leaders, key volunteers, staff, alumni, and other constituents.
• A decisive consensus-builder who enjoys cross-departmental collaboration. The ability to create excitement around Nevada’s mission and encourage others to support the university.
• A sharp eye for operational efficiency and the best use of resources, including a demonstrated understanding of budgets, the ability to manage them, and past success garnering institutional resources on behalf of a program or division.
• Superior written and oral communication skills; the ability to understand and translate information for all audiences clearly and compellingly.
• Commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accountability; strong personal integrity and work ethic coupled with humility and perspective.
• An understanding of and appreciation for the use of technology.
• The flexibility to travel domestically and internationally, and work evenings or weekends as required.

Remarkable Retirement

Our retirement plan is beyond compare. Your 17.50% contribution is generously matched by the University. With the faculty retirement plan, you are 100% vested your first day. Sit back and watch your retirement dollars grow! All permanent employees on an annual "A" or "B" contract who are employed at least 50% full-time are eligible to participate in the NSHE retirement program unless they are members of PERS of Nevada.

Perks of Working at UNR

• Health insurance options including dental and vision.
• Generous annual, sick leave, long term disability and life insurance.
• E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center offers annual or semester memberships and spouse/domestic partner membership options.
• Reno is proud to be a University town! Many local businesses offer discounts to WolfCard holders.
• Mountain EAP supports employees (and eligible dependents) through life's difficult moments. Mountain EAP is located in Reno and specializes in counseling and advising services for personal or interpersonal issues.
• Several Diversity Committees and Affinity Groups focusing on campus-wide diversity initiatives to ensure we are working to create a diverse and welcoming campus climate.
• Faculty Senate is the principal representing body for faculty. Its membership includes representatives from each academic and administrative major unit of the University.
• No state income tax!

Grants-in-Aid for Faculty Employees

The University is proud to provide a reduced-rate tuition benefit to faculty and qualified dependents. Faculty can take up to six credits per semester at a reduced rate. Dependents of faculty have unlimited credits, but in order to be eligible children must be unmarried and under the age of 24 and must receive at least 50% of their financial support from the employee and/or employee’s spouse or domestic partner.

Faculty Dual Career Assistance Program

The University of Nevada, Reno recognizes the importance of addressing dual-career couples’ professional needs. We offer a dual career assistance program to newly hired faculty spouses/partners that provides resources and assists them to identify career opportunities in Northern Nevada.

Applications will only be accepted through Isaacson, Miller. Please use the process below to apply and not the apply button on this advertisement.

The University of Nevada, Reno has retained the services of Rachel Ellenport of the national executive search firm Isaacson, Miller to assist in conducting this search.

Inquiries, nominations, and applications may be directed to:

Exempt: Yes

Full-Time Equivalent: 100.0%

Required Attachment(s):

This posting is open until filled. Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. This search will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received or a hiring decision has been made.

Posting Close Date

Note to Applicant: A background check will be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents. If the academic credentials cannot be verified, HR will notify the faculty member that an official transcript of their highest degree must be submitted within thirty days of the faculty member’s first day of employment.

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.

Applicants hired on a federal contract may be subject to E-Verify.

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

For positions that require driving, evidence of a valid driver's license will be required at the time of employment and as a condition of continued employment.

Schedules are subject to change based on organizational needs.

The University of Nevada, Reno is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person’s age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes).

About Us

The University of Nevada, Reno is a leading American public research university committed to the promise of a future powered by knowledge. Founded in 1874 as Nevada’s original land-grant university, the University serves 21,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and 63 countries.

Classified by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as an R1 (“Very High Research”) university, it is also recognized in the Carnegie Community Engagement classification. The University is also ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the “Best National Universities” and “Best National Public Universities.” It also ranks in the top tier of the WSJ/Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the New York Times’ “Top Colleges for Economic Diversity.”

Since 2009, nearly $1 billion has been has invested in advanced labs, facilities, and residence halls on the main campus. The University is home to Nevada’s first medical school – the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine – and it delivers on its original land-grant mission with outreach across the state through the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Nevada Small Business Development Center, the Nevada Seismological Laboratory, and Wolf Pack Athletics.

The main campus is in Reno, Nevada, a burgeoning global technology hub with a vibrant midtown and downtown. Found where the high desert of the Great Basin meets the High Sierra and Lake Tahoe, the beautiful, 290-acre main campus is also a Nevada State Arboretum. In recent years, the University has expanded to include two additional locations: the Redfield Campus in south Reno and the Wayne L. Prim campus in Incline Village, which is the home of the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe.

As part of the Nevada System of Higher Education – comprised of two research universities, one state college, four community colleges and an environmental research institute – the University is committed to developing strong partnerships with each of these institutions for the benefit of all Nevadans.

Through its commitment to high-impact education, world-improving research and creative activity, and outreach that’s transforming Nevada’s communities and businesses, the University continues its nearly 150-year tradition of benefitting our state, nation and world.

The University recognizes that diversity promotes excellence in education and research. The inclusive and engaged community on campus recognizes the added value that students, faculty, and staff from different backgrounds bring to the educational experience.

Today, the University delivers on its original land-grant mission of access to education and knowledge by investing in the academics, facilities, support, engagement and vibrant campus life that promote our diverse students’ cognitive growth and academic achievement – all while remaining one of the best values in American higher education.

For more information, please visit the University’s website .