Senior Prospect Research Analyst, University Advancement (2880)

Idaho State University

10d•$65,000 - $75,000

About The Position

The Senior Prospect Research Analyst is a strategic partner to fundraising leadership and Directors of Development. This role leads the quarterly portfolio review program, strengthens moves-management discipline across principal and major gift portfolios, and delivers high-quality research, analysis, and briefings to advance philanthropic outcomes. The analyst combines traditional prospect research with modern data analytics, translating internal and external information into clear recommendations that drive action. The position reports to the Director, Foundation Data and Research, and supervises a Prospect Research Analyst. It is based at Idaho State University's Pocatello main campus and may be eligible for remote work from Idaho, Wyoming, or Utah with hiring manager approval. The position is not eligible for new visa sponsorship.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Communications, Social Sciences, Library/Information Science, Data Analytics, or a related discipline, plus at least three years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience; alternatively, at least nine years of direct, relevant professional experience may be considered in lieu of a bachelor's degree.
At least one year of mentoring and supervisory experience.
Demonstrated ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data into clear, actionable insights and recommendations.
Strong writing and editing skills, including experience producing executive-ready briefs and strategy documents.
Experience with CRM or advancement systems, wealth screening and research tools, and advanced Excel or Google Sheets.
Candidates must already hold valid U.S. work authorization; the position is not eligible for new visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting principal gifts and complex, multi-stakeholder strategies.
Knowledge of CASE Global Reporting Standards and advancement best practices, including prospect stages, pipeline metrics, and portfolio coverage.
Experience supporting comprehensive fundraising campaigns.
Experience working in philanthropy in higher education and/or a nonprofit setting.

Responsibilities

Co-lead quarterly portfolio reviews by preparing coverage and activity dashboards, facilitating meetings, documenting portfolio changes and next steps, and following up on accountability.
Maintain the Portfolio Guide, including stage definitions, movement expectations, contact and visit cadence, and portfolio size and coverage targets, in partnership with the Director.
Monitor pipeline health, including stage aging, coverage ratios, and proposal velocity, and recommend portfolio right-sizing and reallocations.
Support moves-management discipline by identifying next best actions, preparing call sheets and briefs, and coordinating movement plans with gift officers and leadership.
Build ISU's prospect pipeline using internal Foundation data and vetted public sources to identify affinity, interests, and philanthropic capacity.
Analyze financial and biographical indicators; prepare prospect profiles and strategy notes; and recommend high-impact next actions.
Monitor news and market signals and translate relevant developments into prospect strategies aligned with ISU priorities.
Produce concise, executive-ready briefs for priority visits and solicitations.
Audit principal and major gift pools, portfolios, and proposals for accuracy, deduplication, and stage integrity.
Partner with the Data Analyst on routine portfolio and pipeline reports covering activity, coverage, and outcomes by unit and fundraiser.
Ensure compliance with privacy requirements, CASE standards, and institutional policies, and document sources and methods for repeatability and audit readiness.
Provide research, qualification lists, and cultivation and solicitation strategies to the development team.
Review and refine research deliverables for clarity, sourcing, and tone, and uphold team style and citation standards.
Coach a Prospect Research Analyst and student staff, and train them in research methods, brief writing, and moves-management basics.
Share best practices with Advancement and Foundation colleagues and build peer networks across institutions.
Pursue targeted professional learning and incorporate takeaways into team playbooks.
Develop and refine templates, playbooks, and SOPs to scale prospecting, qualification, and portfolio hygiene across the division.