DIRECTOR OF PROSPECT DEVELOPMENT
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. In partnership with Advancement leadership, frontline fundraisers, and the President, the Director identifies and evaluates high-capacity prospects, optimizes donor portfolios, conducts confidential due diligence, and advances key institutional and volunteer pipelines. The Director leads prospect identification and research aligned with University and campaign priorities; evaluates philanthropic capacity, engagement, and giving potential; and provides research briefings and relationship intelligence to leaders and fundraisers. The position oversees prospect management and fundraiser performance metrics, manages the President’s prospect portfolio, supports principal-level prospect strategy, and develops candidate pipelines for University boards and committees. The role also serves as the functional lead for prospect management data, working with Advancement Services to improve reporting, technology tools, and workflows. The Director maintains prospect development resources and training materials, collaborates on major and principal giving projections, and handles sensitive information confidentially and in accordance with ethical standards such as APRA guidelines.
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 actionable 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 active portfolios and pipelines.
- Facilitate regular 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 fundraiser use of metrics, and reporting metrics to leadership.
- Serve as 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.
- Work with the AVP to develop major and principal giving projections 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, professional contacts, courses, and training.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
