Director Of Prospect Research

Position Summary

The Director of Prospect Research manages the University’s prospect research function, providing philanthropic intelligence that supports fundraising, campaign planning, portfolio management, and donor engagement. Reporting to the Senior Director of Advancement Services, the director identifies, researches, analyzes, and qualifies prospective donors, delivering timely, accurate, and actionable intelligence to development officers, Advancement leadership, and the President.

• 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.
• Ensure compliance with APRA and CASE ethical standards while maintaining the highest level of confidentiality regarding donor and prospect information.

• 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, Research Point, iWave, Donor Atlas, or similar platforms.
• Strong analytical, research, writing, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with frontline fundraisers and Advancement leadership.

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

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

The Director of Prospect Research serves as the university’s primary prospect research professional, providing research, analysis, and donor intelligence that support successful fundraising. By identifying and qualifying prospective donors, preparing executive briefing materials, supporting portfolio management, and maintaining high‑quality prospect information, this position enables development officers and Advancement leadership to make informed fundraising decisions and strengthen the university’s philanthropic pipeline.

Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Summer:
Monday–Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.

• Free tuition
• Generous paid leave
• Wellness initiatives
• Employer‑funded health reimbursement account
• Employer‑paid short‑ and long‑term disability insurance
• Employer‑funded employee assistance program
• Discounted on‑campus dining meal plans
• Free on‑campus parking
• Access to campus amenities (pool, library, campus events, and more)
• Fitness center
• Pet insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• And more