Director of Prospect Intelligence

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The Director of Prospect Intelligence is a centralized University of Colorado System Advancement position embedded within CU Boulder Advancement and provides strategic leadership for CU Boulder Advancement's prospect intelligence and research, portfolio strategy, and fundraiser enablement functions. This new position reports to the Sr Director of Portfolio Intelligence, Research, & Data Management within CU System Advancement and has a dotted line relationship with Executive Director of Development Operations within CU Boulder Advancement.

This position serves as a vital bridge between enterprise advancement intelligence efforts and campus fundraising operations.

The Director will build the first embedded prospect development function at Boulder, leading efforts to accelerate campaign readiness, strengthen pipeline health, and deliver strategic intelligence to fundraising leadership. This position champions a proactive, solutions-oriented approach that advances the organization from a transactional research model toward a strategic intelligence function focused on fundraising outcomes, operational excellence, and long-term growth. The role requires a builder who can move quickly, establish new processes, and drive measurable results in support of a large comprehensive campaign.

This Director will play a critical role in helping CU Boulder Advancement modernize its prospect development and portfolio strategy functions through the thoughtful application of emerging technologies, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and innovative fundraising practices. The CU Boulder Advancement Data Insights Team primarily supports this role and team with analytics, reporting, and visualization needs. The Director will challenge traditional prospect development approaches, identify new opportunities to increase fundraiser effectiveness, and help position Advancement to meet the evolving expectations of donors and fundraisers in a rapidly changing philanthropic landscape.

The Director leads a team of seven analysts responsible for prospect identification, research, portfolio optimization, pipeline development, and strategic fundraising support. Through the delivery of actionable prospect intelligence and portfolio solutions, the Director helps advancement leaders and fundraisers identify, prioritize, and engage the institution's most promising philanthropic opportunities. The program supports approximately 60-70 major gift, principal gift, and Donor Experience Officer portfolios.

Working closely with CU Boulder Advancement leadership, fundraising unit leadership, Data Insights, and CU System Advancement prospect development leadership and partners, the Director develops strategies and solutions that strengthen donor pipelines, improve portfolio health, enhance fundraiser effectiveness, and support campaign success.

This position reports to the Sr Director of Portfolio Intelligence, Research, & Data Management, and is exempt from the State of Colorado Classified Staff system.

Applicants must be Colorado residents or able to relocate to Colorado within a month of starting employment with University of Colorado System Administration.

This role is a hybrid role and aligns with CU Boulder Advancement guidelines for a certain number of days in the office.

Please note, leadership may adjust in-office work requirements with a minimum of three months' notice before any change can be implemented.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Design and lead an integrated Prospect Development operating model that connects prospect intelligence, research, portfolio management, qualification, analytics, and fundraiser enablement to provide a proactive, scalable, and consistent service to fundraisers and advancement leaders.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive…