Director of Prospect Management and Research

The Director of Prospect Management & Research provides strategic leadership for University Advancement’s prospect management and research programs. The Director oversees the development and execution of prospect pipeline strategies, portfolio optimization, proposal management, and data-driven research to inform donor strategies for annual, major, and principal giving. This position will be responsible for data mining to provide effective and informed portfolio recommendations in collaboration with UA leadership, Directors of Philanthropy, Engagement, Donor Relations, Principal Gifts, and Campaign Management.

Works closely with Information Services to ensure the systems, processes, data maintenance, and structure leads to an informative and accurate pipeline, portfolio analysis, and research recommendations. The director ensures robust prospect management and research processes and implements industry best practices to support the University’s mission and fundraising priorities. Will balance the art and science of prospect development best practices and translate information into prospect management actions.

• Bachelor’s Degree in business, finance, communications, data analytics, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in prospect management, research, development, development, engagement or related field in a fundraising environment.
• Strong knowledge of prospect, portfolio, and moves management tactics and best practices.
• Strong understanding of portfolio health indicators, prospect churn, and related KPIs and metrics.
• Experience managing proposal/solicitation pipelines, prospect pools, or creating and updating informative proposals in relationship management system.
• Experience collaborating with gift officers and having prospect development and/or pipeline discussion.
• Experience or knowledge of research tools such as Lexis Nexis, Wealth Engine, Linked In Sales Navigator, etc. or other wealth indicators and analysis that inform prospect recommendations.
• Experience with Blackbaud Fundraiser Performance Management or similar CRM and understanding of data structures and categorization.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interpret financial, biographical and other related data sets to make analytical recommendations and conclusions, including data manipulation in excel and preparing executive level briefings and summaries.
• Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively with others on a team.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.