Director, Advancement Prospect Research

Tulane group; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Tulane University in New Orleans seeks a Director of Prospect Research to lead the research team, identify major donors, manage projects, ensure ethical data handling, and support fundraising strategy across units.

The director will collaborate with the Executive Director of Prospect Development and supervise analysts, guiding research deliverables and training while maintaining compliance and timely responses.

Qualifications

• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal skills are essential.
• Experience with data-driven research using industry-standard software and web-based tools.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving, organization, and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Lead prospect identification and research deliverables for fundraising strategy.
• Supervise a team of research analysts and provide guidance for professional development.
• Coordinate training and ensure ethical practices and data privacy compliance.
• Support the Executive Director of Prospect Development in setting annual goals and strategic direction.
• Collaborate with Prospect Management, Analytics, and other units to advance fundraising pipelines.
• Ensure timely responses to service requests and manage multiple priorities effectively.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Interpersonal skills

Data-driven research

Project management

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Excel

Salesforce

Data visualization tools

Job description

DIRECTOR, PROSPECT RESEARCH, OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT

The Director of Prospect Research will be responsible for managing research deliverables and projects, directing prospect identification efforts, delegating research requests to ensure timely responses, coordinating training, ensuring compliance with ethical practices and data privacy laws, and providing strategic support for fundraising at all levels, with special focus on principal level strategy. Additionally, they will collaborate with the Executive Director of Prospect Development to set and monitor annual goals, working closely with the prospect management and analytics team develop and implement the overall prospect development vision and strategic focus, enhancing the University’s fundraising success and pipeline development. Direct prospect identification efforts, develop research department deliverables, ensure compliance with ethical practices and data privacy laws. Provide strategic support for fundraising at all levels for the university. Manage projects, delegate tasks, ensure timely responses to service requests and coordinate all training for the prospect research team.

Prospect development strategy

In close collaboration with Executive Director of Prospect Development and other Prospect Development units (Portfolio and Prospect Management, Analytics), this position will assist in the development, implementation, maintenance of overall prospect development strategy for the university.

Research Management

This position will serve as team leader, providing supervision to a team of research analysts. The director will meet regularly with all the researchers, individually and as a team, providing guidance and insight for their professional development and work product.

Responsibilities

• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with data-driven research using industry-standard software, web-based tools, data management systems, social media, and other methodologies.
• Ability to manage multiple demands and projects simultaneously and meet strict deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving, project management, and organizational aptitude.
• Ability to work collaboratively and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Understanding of prospect management concepts, including complex analyses and identifying philanthropic patterns.
• Passion for excellent customer service and commitment to exceptional quality.
• Ability to inspire colleagues toward common objectives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5 years of experience in development research, prospect management, or prospect development in a higher education, healthcare, or complex non-profit environment.
• Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Commitment to higher education values.
• Professional memberships in APRA, CASE, or AASP
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, charts, formulas).
• Experience with fundraising CRMs (preferably Salesforce) and data visualization tools.
• Ability to interpret and analyze complex financial statements.
• Experience leading large, complex projects with multiple tasks and competing deadlines.
• An ability to assist and advise in developing and implementing prospect research guidelines and procedures.
• Experience designing and implementing comprehensive data-mining and proactive prospect identification projects.
• Ability to initiate and lead projects to improve service to development officers and/or units.
• Experience researching, analyzing, and maintaining information on prospective donors using various electronic databases, publications, and online services.

About Us

Tulane University is an equal opportunity educator and employer committed to providing an education and employment environment free of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Legally protected demographic classifications (such as a person’s race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, shared ancestry, disability, genetics, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws) are not relied upon as an eligibility, selection or participation criteria for Tulane’s employment or educational programs or activities.

Tulane University is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing an application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the Office of Human Resources by phone at 504-865-4748 or by email at [e-mail] .