Director of Prospect Development

UNCW’s Division for University Advancement is actively recruiting for a strategic leader who can build upon our philanthropic successes, elevate our prospecting operation, and oversee data compliance and integrity related to prospect development, concurrent with the university’s nationally rising reputation.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Major Gifts, the Director of Prospect Development will provide innovative leadership in all areas of prospect development for both the major gift and leadership annual giving enterprises to achieve the university’s fundraising priorities. The Director of Prospect Development will oversee the development associate for prospect research position. The Director will serve as the resident expert on industry standards, advising fundraising and engagement staff on best practices related to prospect management and strategy to move prospects through the cultivation-solicitation-stewardship cycle.

As the subject matter expert on a variety of prospect research, analysis, and wealth assessment tools, the Director will implement data collection, mining, modeling, and reporting to develop, in collaboration with Advancement Services, a prospect data structure that facilitates a data-driven fundraising model.

• Develop and implement a systematized and streamlined approach to prospect identification and qualification to ensure an ample pipeline of both major giving and leadership annual giving prospects.
• Institute portfolio and pipeline management best practices through prospect identification, data analysis, portfolio optimization, and related services in support of effective fundraising programs and activities.
• In collaboration with Advancement Services, develop and implement data structures, dashboards, and reports to facilitate prospect record management in support of data-driven major giving and leadership annual giving fundraising operations.
• In collaboration with Major Gift and Communications teams, develop procedures for streamlined proposal generation using templates and campaign “one-sheeters” to produce both personalized conversation starters and formal proposals.
• Identify, implement and utilize technology solutions that enhance prospect development capabilities and support portfolio management.
• Manage a development associate for prospect research-to include hiring, training, mentoring, and ongoing performance evaluation.

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
• Five years of prospect development experience with knowledge of prospect identification, research, and analysis in a university or nonprofit setting.
• Knowledge of fundraising CRM systems.
• Three years of experience managing a team.

• Proven ability to work independently, maintain confidentiality, and prioritize assignments.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interact with a diverse team with competing priorities.
• Familiarity with higher education policies and procedures.
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge, Lexis Nexis, Microsoft Office products, query and report writing.
• Experience with technology solutions that enhance prospect development capabilities and support portfolio management.