Director of Research and Prospect Management

Director of Research and Prospect Management

Company: University of Northern Colorado

Category: Development and Fundraising

Type: Full-Time

POSITION TITLE:

COMPENSATION RANGE: 70,000.00 - 80,000.00 USD per year

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Professional Administrative

DEPARTMENT: Office of Development

TARGET HIRE DATE: 6/1/2026

BENEFITS: UNC's Career Hub

Candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application; UNC cannot provide H-1B sponsorship at this time.

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 04/20/2026.

Position Summary:

The is a key fundraising strategist responsible for developing and implementing proactive prospect development strategies to build and sustain a strong pipeline of leadership annual giving, major gift, and planned gift prospects for the development team at the University of Northern Colorado. Reporting to the Senior Director of Advancement Services, this position leads prospect identification, research, analytics, and portfolio strategy to support the successful identification and movement of prospects through the major gift pipeline.

Working closely with the AVP for Development and the VP for Advancement, the Director partners with development staff to plan and support research-driven strategies that strengthen the university's major gift program and advance fundraising priorities.

The Director serves as a strategic advisor to advancement leadership, providing data-informed insights that guide the evolution of prospect strategy, portfolio management, and fundraising priorities. The role operates with a high degree of independence while maintaining regular communication and alignment with advancement leadership.

Job Duties:

Portfolio Strategy and Prospect Management (37.5%)

• Support the frontline fundraising team in building and managing strategic and productive portfolios.
• Assign and manage prospect portfolios to maintain balance and maximize fundraising effectiveness.
• Lead regular portfolio review sessions to support appropriate prospect movement and engagement, providing analysis and insights to inform development team decision-making.
• Recommend and implement improvements to prospect management processes and moves management practices.
• Leverage prospect research and data tools (e.g., mapping and geographic analysis) to support travel planning, prospect identification, and efficient portfolio management.
• Train development staff on prospect tracking, proposal management, and data standards within the Raiser's Edge NXT.
• Develop, refine, and evolve best practice research policies and procedures that support consistent and effective prospect development practices.
• Maintain proactive communication with development staff regarding prospect movement, assignments, and research outcomes.

Prospect Identification and Research (37.5%)

• Identify and qualify new major gift, corporate and foundation, leadership annual giving, and planned giving prospects to maintain a strong pipeline aligned with institutional priorities.
• Conduct research and analyze wealth indicators, philanthropic activity, and engagement data using internal and external resources.
• Synthesize complex information into clear, actionable insights for development staff and university leadership.
• Produce research briefings, prospect profiles, and strategic reports that support cultivation and solicitation efforts.
• Ensure accuracy, consistency, and appropriate documentation of prospect data and research findings within advancement systems.
• In partnership with Advancement Services, maintain and enhance the quality and accuracy of prospect information within the advancement database.
• Lead data analysis initiatives to proactively identify emerging prospects aligned with current and future fundraising goals

Strategy, Data, and Process Improvement (25%)

• Partner with Advancement Services and leadership to refine prospect tracking systems, data practices, and reporting tools that support development team strategy and fundraising outcomes.
• Continuously evaluate and recommend research methodologies, tools, and emerging technologies (including AI-assisted research and predictive analytics) to strengthen prospect development efforts.
• Monitor and evaluate emerging technologies and data tools that enhance prospect identification, research synthesis, and strategic insight.

Professional Standards and Collaboration

• Maintain knowledge of the national best practices in prospect research and prospect management.
• Safeguard confidential constituent information and adhere to UNC Foundation policies and APRA ethical standards.
• Model collaboration, professionalism, and a solutions-oriented approach that supports the university's advancement goals.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

Experience
Five or more years of experience in prospect research, prospect management, advancement analytics, or a related field. Experience working in higher education advancement and with frontline fundraising staff preferred.

Knowledge and Skills

• Prospect research methodologies and best practices
• Wealth indicators and philanthropic capacity analysis
• Portfolio strategy and moves management
• Data analysis and reporting tools
• Advancement CRM systems, such as The Raiser's Edge NXT
• Awareness of emerging technologies that support research and analytics

Abilities

• Analyze and synthesize complex information
• Communicate research findings clearly and strategically
• Manage multiple projects and priorities
• Work independently and collaboratively
• Exercise sound judgment and maintain strict confidentiality
• Build strong working relationships with internal and external partners
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with the highest professional and ethical standards.

Benefits:

Benefits available include health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, as well as a selection of several defined contribution retirement plans for all full-time positions. Employees at UNC receive sick leave, and other leave options may be available based on position. Full-time employees are eligible to receive tuition waiver benefits, as well as dependents and spouses of UNC Employees who are employed at 0.5 FTE or above are eligible for undergraduate dependent tuition grants of up to 50%. These tuition grants will cover in-state tuition charges. Further requirements may exist. Other benefits may be available based on position.