Prospect Research Analyst

About the role

Reporting to the Associate Director of Prospect Research, the Prospect Research Analyst provides full-scale prospect research, identification and development services throughout the prospect life cycle. Using the account management model, the Analyst supports several fundraising teams and individual fundraisers. Collaborating with advancement leadership, front-line development officers, and volunteers on prospect management and activity, the role delivers proactive and reactive prospect research and identification projects, wealth and propensity reviews, and other prospect development-related projects.

The Analyst utilizes advanced research and analytical methodologies to identify, qualify, and rank a viable pool of highly qualified prospective donors and volunteers in support of the University’s strategic fundraising activities, including the annual, planned, major, and leadership gifts programs. The Analyst collects, synthesizes, analyzes, and interprets biographical and financial data to produce briefings and reports that inform decision-making, including calculated wealth estimates and capacity ratings that indicate the ability and propensity of individuals, corporations, and foundations to make philanthropic contributions and serve in volunteer capacities for the university.

The role advises advancement leadership and gift officers on prospect strategy and comprehensive portfolio management, routinely reviewing fundraising benchmarks with emphasis on strategic movement of prospects through the fundraising cycle (e.g., cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship). The Prospect Research Analyst will help foster a culture of belonging that embraces all people and perspectives. This is a hybrid position based in Williamsburg, VA, that offers a flexible work environment.

Responsibilities

• Prospect Identification and Research (50%)
  • Provide full-scale research and prospect management services to assigned fundraising teams, focusing on both individual fundraiser and team prospect needs.
  • Conduct prospect research including the conceptualization and implementation of search strategies; synthesize and analyze information; interpret historical, biographical, and financial data; and present findings in strategic and relevant ways.
  • Create actionable recommendations for prospect strategies in support of the University’s strategic priorities.
  • Leverage wealth screening tools and comprehensive research methods to identify prospects and develop comprehensive prospect research profiles and recommendations.
  • Collaborate with fundraisers or other interested parties in establishing appropriate ask amounts for annual, leadership, and/or planned gifts based on prospect ratings or other key indicators.
  • Apply prospect analysis results to a variety of projects; inform team-level decisions for long-term planning to set campaign goals, define fundraising priorities, event planning, and regional initiatives.
  • Proactively and independently plan and execute creative strategies to identify sources of major gift support using creative research techniques and electronic searching methodologies of internal and external data.
  • Curate event bios, prospect summaries, and full prospect profiles to inform gift officers and advancement and university leadership with meaningful and actionable information.
  • Provide analysis for future fundraising progress based on capacity, penetration, and activity of the prospect pool; identify data critical to inform fundraisers for successful strategy next steps and outcomes.
• Prospect Strategy (40%)
  • Provide prospect strategy and support portfolio management for fundraisers with a focus on optimal portfolio balance and ability to achieve fundraiser performance metrics and team goals.
  • Provide insight, analysis, and movement for key prospects to inform decision-making; support/troubleshoot avenues for fundraisers to capture moves data.
  • Collaborate with the Portfolio Management team in prospect strategy and portfolio management meetings with Advancement leadership and gift officers; review prospects with senior leadership and front-line fundraisers.
  • Develop strategies related to fundraising readiness; create and communicate actionable recommendations for prospect strategies in support of the University’s strategic priorities.
  • Develop and execute proactive alert strategies for a core group of prospects and maintain active awareness of important news and events involving them.
  • Ensure that newly identified prospects are presented and assigned to appropriate campus fundraisers in a timely manner.
• Prospect Development Consulting and Other Projects (10%)
  • Collaborate and consult with diverse campus contacts including fundraisers, fundraising leadership, and other campus partners on matters related to portfolio development, solicitation strategy formulation, and information gathering through peer screenings.
  • Interpret results and provide direction on the segmentation and management of large groups of prospects and donors identified through electronic screening processes.
  • Provide consultative services and orientation sessions on research methodologies and resources to fundraisers, faculty, and other key campus partners involved in fundraising.
  • Design and implement other prospect development projects as assigned.
  • Assist in the development, implementation, and delivery of policies, procedures, and prospect research & management training.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with coursework in research principles, library science, history, business, writing, communications, or a related field — or equivalent education, experience, and training.
• Strong analytical skills: ability to interpret financial information, manipulate, analyze, and synthesize data, and present findings that are clear and actionable to a variety of Advancement professionals.
• Knowledge of a broad range of research techniques, web-based research, and database operation and usage.
• Strong aptitude for logical thinking and intellectual curiosity; strong problem-solving, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to adapt to shifting priorities and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to work effectively with a diverse audience; ability to translate analysis into accessible formats when interacting with non-technical audiences.
• Proficiency in delivering information clearly to others in both oral and written forms.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills necessary to interface with a diverse group of colleagues and constituents; ability to lead and build consensus among colleagues.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive information and material in a discretionary manner.
• Knowledge and understanding of current trends in philanthropy and fundraising principles (typically 1–3 years).
• Knowledge and understanding of the fundraising process and business intelligence concepts, including the ability to understand business financial concepts.
• Knowledge of web-based and online research databases and techniques (typically 1–3 years).
• Knowledge of standard research methodology and prospect portfolio development and management; ability to evaluate donor prospects for capacity, inclination, readiness, and recommend relationship development strategies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business, Information Studies, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Experience in prospect research and management within an academic, nonprofit, corporate, or consulting environment.
• Experience analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating wealth data, gift vehicles, and their application in solicitation strategy.
• Experience incorporating common prospect tracking data in a relationship management system, such as prospect ratings, staff assignments, solicitation goals, strategies, moves, contact reports, proposals, and stages.
• Experience with Blackbaud CRM and industry tools leveraged in prospect research and management activities.

Conditions of Employment

• Long hours may be required to meet deadlines.
• Highest standard of professional ethics and agreement to abide by ethical and confidentiality precepts as set forth by the Commonwealth of Virginia, the university, CASE, and APRA.
• Hybrid (works remotely at least one day per week but not full-time).