Senior Prospect Research Analyst (Advancement Professional III, Range 1) - Development Office

About the role

The Senior Prospect Research Analyst plays a key role in the planning and implementation of the university’s major gifts program and campaign(s). They assist in developing cultivation, solicitation and overall fundraising strategies, and analyze data and research to create appropriate new prospect portfolios.

Responsibilities

• Assists in building, evaluating, maintaining and rating a qualified pool of prospects for campaigns, major gifts, planned gifts, and annual gifts.
• Manages Active Qualification assignments and pipeline for assigned Development Officers (DODs).
• Identifies, then qualifies potential donors from local, national and international sources including online databases, existing files, referrals from alumni and friends, and works independently leading a proactive media scanning process including social media, and other web sources.
• Manages portfolio, proposal and metrics reports for all regular meetings with DODs and senior leadership using Raiser’s Edge NXT and Tableau.
• Provides insight and analysis of results or activities which may include analysis of donor trends, interests, giving capacity and affinity, and makes recommendations to Senior Director for improvements or new approaches as indicated.
• Trains and oversees the work of student assistants.

Requirements

• Advanced knowledge and understanding of advancement, development, fundraising, and/or donor engagement practices and policies.
• Demonstrated competence in applying advanced judgment to resolve difficult and complex problems and issues.
• Thorough knowledge and skill in applying and interpreting applicable regulations, standards, and guidelines.
• Advanced analytical and organizational skills to prioritize and execute the fulfillment of advancement campaigns and to successfully manage projects within time and budget constraints.
• Advanced communications and interpersonal skills, including political acumen, to build partnerships and communicate effectively with multiple stakeholders in a diverse environment.
• Ability to effectively present ideas and training as well as successfully engage with prospective donors.
• Advanced skill in effectively mentoring and/or overseeing the work of others and training staff on advancement practices and procedures.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in a related field and four years of relevant experience.
• Five (5) years of experience in development/fundraising programs, including minimum of four (4) years of related research experience (e.g. development prospect research, library/information sciences, data analytics research or related field) in the non-profit or commercial sectors.
• Professional experience with fundraising, proactive prospect management, data analysis tools (statistical software) or a related activity such as business development and/or sales.
• Expertise in Lexis/Nexis, ResearchPoint, Foundation Directory Online, LiveAlumni, iWavePRO, and other specialized search engines.
• Ability to effectively present results, ideas and/or concepts in written or presentation format and use consultative and consensus-building skills to facilitate outcomes.
• Expertise in Ellucian/Advance a plus.
• Expertise in Excel, PowerPoint to create use advanced formulas, pivot tables, charts, graphs, etc.
• Experience developing reports from databases (Raiser’s Edge); using reporting tools such as Tableau for preparing materials on prospects and fundraising metrics.