Assistant Director of Prospect Research and Management

Simmons University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Simmons University is seeking an analytical Assistant Director of Prospect Research and Management to enhance our major gifts pipeline. You will conduct research, manage portfolios, and coordinate workflows that drive fundraising outcomes.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Advancement Services, you will combine data, analytics, and collaborative work with fundraisers to inform qualification, cultivation, and solicitation strategies across the lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 1–3 years of experience in prospect research, advancement services, or a related field.
• Proficiency in prospect research tools (e.g., iWave, LexisNexis) and moves management concepts.
• Exceptional research, analytical, and writing skills.
• Outstanding skills in word processing, spreadsheets, and CRM systems.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to independently prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, actionable insights.

Responsibilities

• Conduct proactive and responsive prospect research using a variety of tools and sources.
• Review, synthesize, and document biographical, professional, financial, philanthropic, relationship, engagement, and donor information to assess capacity and inclination.
• Prepare clear, concise, actionable prospect profiles and research products for fundraisers and University leadership.
• Develop research-informed recommendations on giving capacities and ask amounts.
• Conduct affinity analysis and relationship mapping to identify connections, interests, motivations, and pathways for engagement.
• Coordinate timely delivery of accurate prospect research findings to prospect managers to facilitate relationship building.
• Monitor news and alerts on prospects and share relevant updates with fundraisers.
• Identify and recommend new major and principal gift prospects aligned with institutional priorities.
• Serve as operational coordinator for the prospect management program and support moves management workflows.
• Maintain and update prospect records in the donor database.
• Assist with portfolio review processes and pipeline tracking.
• Track prospect management actions and coordinate follow-up to move the pipeline.
• Contribute to meetings and reporting on prospect activity and pipeline health.
• Coordinate prospect management workflows related to events and engagement activity.

Skills

Research

Analytical thinking

Written communication

CRM proficiency

Organizational skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

iWave

LexisNexis

Foundation Directory

LinkedIn

CRM systems

Job description

ABOUT SIMMONS

Located in Boston’s historic Fenway area, Simmons University has a strong tradition of empowering women and challenging traditional gender roles. Simmons was founded for equality 125 years ago as one of the first higher education institutions dedicated to helping women become leaders. Today, our university continues to grow and evolve and now offers Boston’s only women’s undergraduate program and graduate programs open to all. You’re joining our community at an especially exciting time as we continue to innovate for the future. Simmons recently launched a six-school academic structure that leverages our expert faculty and longstanding expertise in professions that make our communities stronger. In addition, we continue to highlight our high-value education proposition that is delivering greater ROI to students and putting them on the fast track to career growth and success. You’ll find that people who work here truly believe in our mission of preparing students to become social justice-oriented leaders who excel in their professions and their communities. This commitment and pride make for a dynamic workplace. As a university that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices–at all levels, for all positions–ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum.

JOB SUMMARY

Simmons University Advancement is seeking an analytical, organized, and collaborative individual to serve as Assistant Director of Prospect Research and Management. As a key member of the Advancement team, the Assistant Director conducts prospect research and analysis and serves as the operational coordinator for the University’s prospect management program. Reporting to the Senior Director of Advancement Services, the Assistant Director manages prospect research, portfolio administration, pipeline tracking, research intake, data, reporting, and prospect management workflows. Working closely with Development and fundraisers, the position ensures research is actionable, pipelines are actively managed, and decisions translate into effective follow-up. Under the direction of the Senior Director, the Assistant Director analyzes prospect capacity, affinity, relationships, and engagement to identify opportunities and inform qualification, cultivation, and solicitation strategies across the prospect lifecycle. This role is ideal for a prospect development professional who has established foundational skills in researching, identifying, evaluating, and tracking philanthropic prospects. The Assistant Director will contribute to a collaborative prospect development team working to strengthen the University’s major and principal gifts pipeline.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

PROSPECT RESEARCH & ANALYSIS

• Conduct proactive and responsive prospect research using a variety of tools and sources.
• Review, synthesize, and document biographical, professional, financial, philanthropic, relationship, engagement, and donor information to assess capacity and inclination.
• Prepare clear, concise, actionable prospect profiles, event briefings, research summaries, and other research products for fundraisers and University leadership.
• Conduct capacity assessments and develop research-informed recommendations on giving capacities and ask amounts.
• Conduct affinity analysis and relationship mapping to identify connections, interests, philanthropic motivations, and potential pathways for engagement.
• Coordinate the timely delivery of accurate prospect research findings to prospect managers to facilitate relationship building.
• Monitor news and alerts on prospects and share relevant updates with fundraisers.
• Proactively identify and recommend new major and principal gift prospects aligned with institutional fundraising priorities.

PROSPECT MANAGEMENT

• Serve as the operational coordinator for the University’s prospect management program, helping ensure consistent execution of established prospect management policies, processes, and workflows.
• Support the implementation and continuous improvement of standard moves management and prospect management workflows.
• Maintain and update prospect records, including assignments, opportunities, moves, ratings, engagement activity, and research documentation in the donor database.
• Assist with recurring portfolio review processes, prospect pipeline tracking, and periodically review assigned and unassigned prospects to assess the potential value of Simmons’ development pipeline.
• Track prospect management actions and tasks, identify overdue or incomplete activity, and coordinate appropriate follow-up to support accountability and pipeline movement.
• Contribute to meetings and reporting on prospect activity and pipeline health.
• Coordinate prospect management workflows related to Advancement events and other engagement activity, helping identify and route constituents for appropriate research, qualification, assignment, or fundraiser follow-up.
• Manage prospect pipeline dashboards and recurring reporting related to portfolio activity, assignments, opportunities, moves management, qualification activity, solicitation planning, and overall pipeline health.
• Participate in and appropriately facilitate team meetings and contribute research to support prospect strategy discussions.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with special projects, campaign activities, and Advancement-wide events and initiatives as needed.
• Participate in professional development activities and remain current on prospect development research methods, tools, technologies, and practices.
• Support team projects related to prospect development and analytics.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 1–3 years of experience in prospect research, advancement services, or a related field.
• High level of proficiency in prospect research tools (e.g., iWave, LexisNexis, Foundation Directory, LinkedIn, etc.) and prospect management concepts (moves management, ratings, strategic assignments, pipeline development).
• Exceptional research, analytical, and writing skills.
• Outstanding skills in word processing, spreadsheets, and CRM systems.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to independently prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with an emphasis on clarity and professionalism.
• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, actionable insights.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in higher education.
• Experience with Raiser's Edge NXT or similar CRM.

COMPETENCIES

• Highest level of integrity and judgment in dealing with confidential and sensitive information.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy, with strong analytical, time-management, and organizational skills.
• Intellectually curious, creative, flexible, and resourceful.
• Collaborative and service-oriented mindset.
• A commitment to social justice/social impact, strong interpersonal skills, and a demonstrated ability to work with individuals across different identities, backgrounds, and abilities.
• The ideal candidate will be positive, reliable, committed to building strong working relationships, and eager to learn and grow.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is a full-time salaried position with occasional night and weekend requests. Eligible for a flexible, hybrid work setting structure. Extended periods of computer use. Periodic on-campus presence for Advancement events and other university activities.

In accordance with applicable pay transparency laws effective October 29, 2025, Simmons University is committed to pay equity, transparency and clear communication throughout the hiring process. The hourly or annual salary range for this position is: S08$60,100.00 - $95,400.00. This is a benefits-eligible position. Actual compensation will be based on factors such as experience, education, skills, equity, and external market benchmarks that help guide compensation decisions. Our compensation philosophy is centered on a comprehensive package that includes pay, health benefits, and retirement savings offerings that can be seen here, as well as work-life balance initiatives such as flexible hours and remote work opportunities. We are committed to offering a package that empowers individuals to thrive in their roles, contribute meaningfully, and lead with confidence.

Working at Simmons means joining a collaborative, diverse and mission-driven community of educators and professionals. We prepare students to be leaders for themselves, their communities and the world. Our faculty and staff members lead by example — sharing a commitment to excellence and putting the students first.

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