Senior prospect research analyst, university advancement (2880)

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Job Description

The Senior Prospect Research Analyst is a strategic partner to fundraising leadership and Directors of Development. The role leads the quarterly portfolio review program, advances moves-management discipline across principal and major gift portfolios, and delivers high‑quality research, analysis, and briefings that accelerate philanthropic outcomes. The ideal candidate blends traditional prospect research with modern data analytics, translating internal and external signals into clear recommendations that drive action.

Key Responsibilities

• Co-lead the quarterly portfolio review process: prepare coverage and activity dashboards; facilitate review meetings; document adds/drops, next steps, and accountability follow-ups.
• Maintain the Portfolio Guide (stage definitions, movement expectations, contact/visit cadence, portfolio size/coverage targets) in partnership with the Director.
• Monitor pipeline health (stage aging, coverage ratios, proposal velocity) and recommend portfolio right-sizing and reallocations.
• Support moves management discipline: surface next best actions, create call sheets/prep briefs, and coordinate with gift officers and leadership on movement plans.
• Continuously strengthen ISU’s prospect pipeline by combining internal Foundation’s data with vetted public sources to surface affinity, interests, and philanthropic capacity.
• Apply structured research methods to analyze financial and biographical indicators; produce decision-ready profiles and strategy notes; and recommend the next, highest-impact actions for each prospect.
• Scan news and market signals and translate relevant developments into prospect strategies aligned to ISU priorities (academics, athletics, scholarships, capital projects).
• Produce concise, executive-ready briefs for priority visits and solicitations Data Stewardship, Reporting and Audits.
• Audit principal and major gift pools, portfolios, and proposals to ensure accuracy, deduplication, and stage integrity.
• Partner with Data Analyst to produce routine portfolio and pipeline reporting, including activity, coverage, and outcomes by unit and fundraiser.
• Ensure compliance with privacy, CASE standards, and institutional policies; document sources and methodologies for repeatability and audit readiness.
• Serve as a strategic partner to the development team; provide ongoing research, qualification lists, and cultivation/solicitation strategies.
• Review and refine research deliverables for clarity, sourcing, and tone; uphold team style and citation standards.
• Coach a Prospect Research Analyst and student staff; deliver practical training on research methods, brief writing, and moves-management basics.
• Contribute to a learning culture by sharing best practices with Advancement and Foundation colleagues and building peer networks across institutions.
• Pursue targeted professional learning (e.g., Apra/CASE sessions and peer exchanges) and incorporate takeaways into team playbooks.
• Develop and refine templates, playbooks, and SOPs that scale prospecting, qualification, and portfolio hygiene across the division.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communications, Social Sciences, Library/Information Science, Data Analytics, or a related discipline, plus a minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience. In lieu of a Bachelor’s degree, at least 9 years of direct, relevant professional experience may be considered (where 6 years of experience substitutes for the degree requirement, in addition to 3 years of required role experience).
• At least 1 year mentoring and supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data into clear, actionable insights and recommendations.
• Strong writing and editing skills; experience producing executive-ready briefs and strategy documents.
• Experience with CRM/advancement systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge NXT or similar), wealth screening and research tools, and advanced Excel/Google Sheets.

Preferred Qualifications

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

The ideal candidate is an outcomes‑focused research partner who turns data and context into clear next steps for fundraisers. Grounded in confidentiality and professional standards, they ask smart questions, surface risks and opportunities, and improve processes with reusable templates and SOPs. Collaborative, curious, and reliable, they help move prospects through the pipeline and advance ISU’s fundraising priorities. If you thrive in a collaborative environment and are inspired by the opportunity to help shape the future of Idaho State University, we encourage you to apply and join our Advancement and Foundation team.

Additional Information

You must submit your CV/resume, cover letter, and list of three professional references, including current contact information. This position will remain open until it is filled; however, priority consideration will be given to applications received on or before November 1, 2026. Salary will be between $65,000 and $75,000 per year, commensurate with education and experience. Benefits include comprehensive health, dental, and vision; life insurance; disability plan; employee assistance program (EAP); excellent retirement options and company contribution; and generous paid time off/sick leave accrual. All offers of employment are conditional pending the successful completion of a background investigation, provided by HireRight.