Director of Prospect Research and Analytics

Employment Type: Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Vacancy ID: NF0010148

Salary Range: Dependent on Experience and/or Qualifications

Position Summary/Description:

The Director of Prospect Research and Analytics provides prospect identification, donor pipeline support, campaign reporting, and data analysis for the Arts and Sciences Foundation, leveraging a variety of research and business intelligence tools to support data-driven fundraising strategies, with a particular emphasis on principal gifts. Working closely with development officers, College leadership, and Foundation partners, the position delivers actionable insights that strengthen fundraising performance and advance the College’s philanthropic priorities.

Reporting and analysis efforts are supported through the supervision of one Development Data Analyst, with responsibility for workflow prioritization, professional development, and quality control across prospect research and data analytics functions. The role exercises significant judgment, creativity, and attention to detail to ensure reports, dashboards, and data extracts communicate complex information in a clear, accurate, and meaningful manner.

In addition, the Director of Prospect Research and Analytics serves as a key resource for CRM training and user support, promoting effective system utilization, data integrity, and adherence to development operations best practices. Through research and analysis of complex issues related to donor strategy, development operations, prospect management, and data quality, the position provides recommendations and actionable insights that inform leadership decision-making and organizational priorities. The role collaborates extensively with College and Foundation leadership, as well as the broader frontline fundraising team, to ensure data needs are met and fundraising efforts are supported effectively across the organization.

Success in this role requires maintaining expertise in existing business intelligence and analytical tools while continuously developing new skills as technologies and best practices evolve. The position also leads strategic prospect research and donor pipeline development efforts, identifying, evaluating, and advancing major and principal gift prospects to support long-term fundraising success.

Education and Experience:

• Experience in a complex fundraising organization situated within the higher education or non-profit sector preferred.

• Knowledge of prospect research principles, practices, and tools of trade.

• Excellent organizational skills; interpersonal, consulting and project management skills; attention to detail and accuracy; creativity and problem-solving skills.

• Familiarity with UNC -Chapel Hill.

• Familiarity with Blackbaud CRM (Davie).

Essential Skills:

Three to five years of related or transferable experience, including management experience. Demonstrated ability to synthesize, summarize, and assess the relative value of a high volume of information from a variety of sources to create concise and confidential research reports in a variety of formats. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with diverse constituencies, meet deadlines, be self-motivated, work independently, show flexibility and adaptability to shifting priorities.

AA/EEO Statement:

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.