Director Of Prospect Development

Eastern Michigan University • Ypsilanti, MI

2d

About The Position

The Director of Prospect Development provides strategic leadership for the University’s prospect development program, including prospect research, portfolio and pipeline management, prospect strategy, and advancement data analytics. The Director partners with Advancement leadership, frontline fundraisers, and the President to identify and evaluate high-capacity prospects, optimize donor portfolios, conduct confidential due diligence, and advance institutional and volunteer pipelines.

The role leads prospect identification and research aligned with University and campaign priorities; analyzes philanthropic capacity, engagement, and giving potential; and provides actionable research and relationship intelligence to executive leadership and fundraisers. It oversees prospect management, portfolio reviews, assignments, pipeline movement, data integrity, and performance metrics. The Director also serves as the primary prospect strategist for principal-level prospects, manages the President’s prospect portfolio, supports board and committee candidate pipelines, and collaborates on high-priority philanthropic initiatives and giving projections.

As functional lead for prospect management data, the Director works with Advancement Services to improve reporting, technology tools, and workflows. The position maintains staff resources and training materials, upholds confidentiality and ethical standards, participates in recruitment and professional development, and keeps current with prospect research and management practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• 3–5+ years of progressive professional experience in prospect research, prospect management, advancement services, fundraising, or analytics.
• Strong analytical, research, and communication skills.
• Ability to translate complex data into strategy.
• Sound judgment when handling confidential information.
• Commitment to working effectively with diverse populations.

Nice To Haves

• 5–7+ years of relevant experience, preferably in higher education or a complex nonprofit.
• Proven experience supporting major- or principal-gift fundraising and advising senior executives.
• Hands-on experience with wealth screening tools such as iWave or Windfall and advancement CRMs such as Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge.
• Professional involvement or training through APRA.

Responsibilities

• Lead proactive prospect identification and research aligned with University and campaign priorities.
• Analyze philanthropic capacity, engagement, and giving potential using wealth screening, data mining, and relationship mapping.
• Prepare research briefings, profiles, and relationship intelligence for executive leadership and frontline fundraisers.
• Conduct confidential due diligence on major donors, executive prospects, board candidates, and award nominees.
• Oversee the prospect management program and collaborate with fundraisers to optimize portfolios and pipelines.
• Facilitate portfolio reviews and strategy sessions to advance prospects through the fundraising cycle.
• Identify portfolio gaps, recommend strategic assignments or reassignments, and maintain CRM data integrity.
• Manage portfolio and fundraiser performance metrics, including maintaining and analyzing data, calculating scores, supporting staff use of metrics, and reporting to leadership.
• Serve as the primary prospect strategist for principal-level prospects and manage the President’s prospect portfolio.
• Develop candidate pipelines for the Foundation Board of Trustees, Alumni Association Board, and other University committees.
• Collaborate with the Advancement Leadership Team on high-priority philanthropic initiatives.
• Maintain prospect development resources and training materials for Advancement staff.
• Develop major- and principal-giving projections with the AVP using CRM data and insights.
• Serve as functional lead for prospect management data and partner with Advancement Services to enhance reporting, technology tools, and workflows.
• Ensure confidentiality and adherence to ethical standards, including APRA guidelines, when handling sensitive data.
• Participate in staff recruitment, team retreats, professional development, and cross-campus fundraising efforts.
• Stay current on prospect research and management practices through professional reading, contacts, courses, and training.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director