Senior Analyst, Prospect Research

Department
 

ARD Prospect Identification & Research

About the Department
 

Alumni Relations and Development (ARD) engages alumni (~190k), current students, parents and friends of the University through intellectual, professional and social activities on campus, around the world and online. ARD raises $600 Million annually to support faculty and researchers, practitioners and patients, and students and programs across the University. Our work supports priorities in every division, school, department, and institute.

The Prospect Development and Decision Support (PDDS) team maximizes the value of fundraising data and systems to ARD staff and the University. We offer insight derived from analytics and qualitative research to drive fundraising strategy. We help staff members to work more effectively with data and technology through staff education programs, process and system design services, and change management planning. Working at the individual, team, and organizational level, we help make ARD staff informed, efficient, and successful in their efforts to maximize the University of Chicago’s fundraising and engagement potential.

This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in office presence located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.

Job Summary
 

This position conducts biographical and financial research on individuals, corporations, and/or foundations to support fundraising. Identifies prospective donors using research and analysis through use of standard procedures. Forecasts and measures the effectiveness of the fiscal year and overall campaign progress, which will help employees in the job acquire higher-level knowledge and skills.

Responsibilities

• Improves the depth and quality of the University’s pool by leveraging internal data and publicly available information to ascertain donor interests and financial capacity.
• Partners with fundraisers and Prospect Development teams to efficiently help principal gift donors find the path to a rewarding philanthropic relationship with the University of Chicago.
• Using diverse tools and resources, employs financial and biographical research methods to ensure that fundraisers are engaged in the most value-added activities, and prospects receive the requisite attention and cultivation.
• Reviews, analyzes, and synthesizes information about individuals and groups of donors to assess philanthropic capacity and inform fundraising strategy.
• Actively monitors news publications, tying developments and trends back to work being done by the University.
• Creates briefing materials for the University President and senior leaders across the organization.
• Proofs and edits colleagues’ documents in accordance with team standards.
• Provides research and strategy support to the Principal Gifts team and develops deep understanding and knowledge of the principal gifts pool.
• Conducts audits and maintains data, especially as it relates to the top of the prospect pyramid.
• Participates in efforts to educate ARD colleagues on prospect research, the nature of wealth as it relates to philanthropy, and the University’s prospect pool.
• Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including attending webinars, seminars, building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.
• Develops, maintains, and updates information on new and existing prospects, solving problems as they arise.
• May provide guidance to analysts, train staff members on fundraising, report writing, and research.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Coursework in project management, business, finance, economics, analytics, library and information science, or non-profit management.

Experience:

• Minimum two years of work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales, or similar professional work experience.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Demonstrated skill and knowledge of, or ability to learn quickly, the internal workings of the University as well as the technology tools available to the Office of Alumni Relations and Development including Phoenix, the University's donor relationship management system, and the Microsoft Windows environment.

Preferred Competencies

• Outstandi