Research Analyst

Job Description

As a member of the Prospect Development team, the analyst performs discovery, analysis, and recommendations for major, principal, and planned gift prospects for fundraising purposes. She /He creates, utilizes and leads analytical solutions to discover, identify, and qualify new prospects, increase/develop understanding of existing prospect pools, and support fundraising campaigns and other fundraising initiatives. The role produces well- written analytical prospect reports that are used to lead and guide effective fundraising outcomes. The analyst researches, compiles, and interprets data on select individuals and organizations.

This is a varied, cross-functional position that requires the ability to take initiative in delivering innovative solutions through synthesizing prospecting strategies and processes. Data analysis and effective implementation of systems is an essential part of this position.

The Division of Advancement & External Affairs expresses a shared mission that is collaborative, trusted, respectful, future-focused and is aligned with the overall University. All current and new employees embrace and demonstrate dedication to promoting shared values in an inclusive work culture to propel the future of advancement operations in their everyday work. Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 1-3 years relevant professional experience.
• Experience in writing logical and detailed reports with a high degree of accuracy.
• Knowledge of information segmentation utilizing a database.
• CRM experience, particularly within Blackbaud or similar software preferred.

Skills and Knowledge

• Precise attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of team.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills demonstrated through the use of clear, concise language.
• General knowledge and competency of Microsoft Office programs.
• Experience searching online databases and Internet.
• Experience managing multiple deadline-driven multiple and diverse tasks.
• Ability to work well with various personalities, collaborating to support division-wide goals.
• Effectively prioritize daily tasks and manage time to balance competing demands while maintaining quality.

Responsibilities Prospect Identification

• Accountable for proactive prospect identification and qualification to support major and planned gift fundraising initiatives as defined by University and divisional leadership.
• Identify prospects by incorporating the use of database segmentation analysis, external resources, electronic screenings, and peer-review/focus group results.
• Guide development staff with recommendations for potential major donors for cultivation and solicitation.
• Nominate candidates for the University board of trustees, school and college advisory boards, as well as for University recognition.
• Develop meaningful, collaborative relationships with gift officers with the goal of assisting in prospect identification, qualification, and strategy.

Prospect Research

• Lead and guide effective fundraising outcomes through well- written analytical prospect reports for communication with the Chancellor, Trustees, Deans, and development staff.
• Research, compile, and interpret data on select major gift individuals and organizations.
• Analyze a prospect’s maximum level for successful solicitation and giving trajectory through sophisticated reasoning skills and diverse processes, including analysis of financial information.
• Research, interpret and analyze complex financial disclosure documents for the purposes of wealth evaluation (SEC filings, real property files, financial, and legal disclosures, etc.).
• Research and evaluate the giving capabilities, interests, and propensity for constituents within the University’s alumni & development records system. Deliver prospect information to internal constituents through concise reports.
• Participate in prospect strategy meetings, contributing relevant researched data points to the development of cultivation strategy.

Research Systems and Tools

• Lead and promote the data integrity of the University’s database of record to support all prospecting activity and prospect research.
• Adhere to ethical and confidentiality guidelines of both the University and Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA). Handle highly confidential information with tact and discretion.
• Determine operational and functional feasibility; evaluate and help develop proposed solutions; maintain documentation for best practices.
• Identify and evaluate new research sources by staying current with emerging industry best practices.
• Use and continually refine knowledge of existing sources including the University’s alumni & development records system, Lexis-Nexis, i-Wave, various print media, public records and direct interaction with appropriate internal and external staff. Leverage and validate results from enterprise generative artificial intelligence tools.

Data Integrity

• Lead and promote the data integrity of the University’s database of record to support all prospecting activity (to the extent possible), including major and planned gifts, proposal tracking, and prospect research.
• Outline and adhere to standards for prospect information dissemination, organization, storage, maintenance, and retrieval.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements Not Applicable Tools/Equipment Not Applicable