Associate Director, Prospect Intelligence

Aprahome; Raleigh, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

University Advancement seeks an Associate Director of Prospect Intelligence to lead the research and analytics function, advancing a data-informed approach to prospect identification, principal gift strategy, and pipeline development.

The role manages the philanthropic research team, oversees principal-level research deliverables, and builds analytics and predictive modeling infrastructure to support strategic priorities.

Qualifications

• Experience leading philanthropic research teams and principal gift strategies.
• Ability to develop predictive models and dashboards to inform fundraising.
• Strong collaboration with development officers and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead leadership and principal gift research to identify major prospects.
• Oversee analytics, modeling, dashboards, and data visualization for portfolio insights.
• Spearhead research standards, ethics, and workflow efficiency for the pipeline.
• Train and mentor the philanthropic research team and advance methodologies.
• Drive innovation by adopting AI tools and new analytics platforms.

Skills

Leadership

Prospect research

Data analysis

Predictive modeling

Team management

Communication

Job description

The Associate Director of Prospect Intelligence leads the research and analytics function within Prospect Development, advancing a sophisticated, datainformed approach to prospect identification, principalgift strategy, and pipeline development. This role manages the philanthropic research team, oversees principallevel research deliverables, and builds the office’s analytics and predictive modeling infrastructure to support University Advancement’s strategic priorities.

Reporting to the Director of Prospect Development, the Associate Director works collaboratively with the Principal Gifts team and college and unitbased development officers. As a key leader within Prospect Development, they train team members, elevate research standards, and drive innovation through advanced analytics, visualization, and emerging technologies.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

1. Research Leadership & Principal Gift Strategy

• Lead leadership($1M – $4.9M) and principal ($5M+) gift research, conducting indepth biographical, financial, and network analysis on top prospects.
• Partner with fundraisers and leadership to shape strategy discussions and donorfacing planning.
• Synthesize strategic insights that inform cultivation, solicitation, and longterm relationship management.
• Deliver intelligence in narrative and visual formats, including dashboards and portfolio insights.
• Oversee research standards, workflows, and ethical compliance for the principalgift pipeline.

2. Analytics, Predictive Modeling & Data Strategy

• Provide strategic direction for predictive modeling by identifying gaps, defining required insights, and determining how models should support prospect scoring, wealth indicators, and donorretention strategy.
• Guide staff in the development and implementation of models, dashboards, and data visualizations, ensuring outputs are actionable and aligned with fundraising priorities.
• Shape the analytics roadmap by setting priorities for new tools, reports, and data products that strengthen portfolio optimization and campaign planning.
• Translate complex findings into clear recommendations that inform prospecting, pipeline development, and leadership decisionmaking.
• Oversee systems for monitoring wealth, assets, and market activity to surface timely insights affecting capacity and inclination.

3. Team Leadership, Training & Innovation

• Supervise and mentor the philanthropic research team, providing guidance, feedback, and professional development.
• Serve as the primary trainer for advanced research methods, particularly for the $1M+ pipeline.
• Advance the office’s AI, technology, and analytics roadmap in partnership with the Director of Prospect Development.
• Evaluate and integrate emerging tools and platforms; serve as subject matter expert for key systems.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and collaboration within Prospect Development.