Director of Prospect Research

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Position Details

Position Summary

The Director of Prospect Research manages the University's prospect research function by providing philanthropic intelligence that supports fundraising, campaign planning, portfolio management, and donor engagement. Reporting to the Senior Director of Advancement Services, this position identifies, researches, analyzes, and qualifies prospective donors while delivering timely, accurate, and actionable intelligence to development officers, Advancement leadership, and the President. Working collaboratively with Advancement Services and frontline fundraisers, the Director develops proactive prospect identification strategies, prepares executive briefing materials, supports portfolio management initiatives, and leverages research and analytics to strengthen the University's fundraising pipeline. The position also provides research and analytical support for presidential fundraising activities by preparing briefing materials, identifying strategic background information, and assisting with prospect intelligence for selected presidential engagements. The position exercises independent judgment in evaluating prospect information, determining appropriate research methodologies, assessing philanthropic capacity and inclination, and developing research recommendations, while operating within the strategic priorities and direction established by the Senior Director of Advancement Services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement prospect research methodologies, standards, and best practices that support the University's fundraising priorities.
• Lead proactive prospect identification and qualification initiatives to expand the University's pipeline of major, principal, planned, corporate, and foundation gift prospects.
• Prepare comprehensive prospect profiles, confidential research reports, executive briefings, and presidential briefing materials for development officers, senior leadership, volunteers, and trustees.
• Analyze philanthropic capacity, charitable inclination, institutional affinity, business interests, foundation activity, SEC filings, executive compensation, real estate holdings, and other indicators of giving potential.
• Partner with development officers by providing research, analysis, and recommendations that inform cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and portfolio management decisions.
• Develop dashboards and analytical reports that monitor portfolio health, qualification activity, solicitation progress, fundraising performance, and pipeline opportunities.
• Monitor news and external developments affecting key prospects and provide timely intelligence to fundraising staff.
• Collaborate with Advancement Services to maintain CRM integrity, document research findings, support data governance, and assist with database cleanup and gift processing as operational needs require.
• Provide prospect research and analytical support for campaign planning, institutional fundraising initiatives, and selected presidential fundraising activities by preparing briefing materials, conducting prospect research, and identifying relevant philanthropic intelligence for presidential engagements.
• Ensure compliance with APRA and CASE ethical standards while maintaining the highest level of confidentiality regarding donor and prospect information.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in prospect research, prospect development, advancement services, fundraising analytics, or a related field; higher education experience preferred.
• Experience with CRM systems and prospect research resources such as Raiser's Edge, ResearchPoint, iWave, DonorAtlas, or similar platforms.
• Strong analytical, research, writing, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with frontline fundraisers and Advancement leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Experience supporting comprehensive fundraising campaigns.
• Experience with business intelligence, data visualization, and reporting tools.
• Familiarity with APRA.

Core Competencies

• Analytical Excellence
• Strategic Thinking
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Integrity and Confidentiality
• Customer Service<