Prospect Development Analyst

James Madison University; Harrisonburg (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA, seeks a Prospect Development Analyst to strengthen the major gift pipeline through strategic research, data analytics, and insights for front-line fundraisers and leadership.

The role identifies prospective donors, analyzes capacity and engagement, maintains donor data, and shares actionable intelligence to support fundraising strategy and portfolio development.

Qualifications

• Experience with prospect development principles and donor pipelines.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to support fundraising strategy.
• Experience with CRM (Salesforce) and Excel; relational databases.
• High attention to detail ensuring data quality.
• Strong written and verbal communication and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate prospective donors based on capacity, affinity, and engagement.
• Collaborate to inform prospect strategy and portfolio development with data insights.
• Develop large-scale data projects to maintain data quality and reliability.
• Enter, update, and maintain donor data in philanthropy data structures.
• Share research results with fundraising staff via reports, presentations, and training.
• Engage in continuous professional development to enhance analytical and collaborative skills.

Skills

Prospect development

Data privacy & discretion

Analytical thinking

CRM systems (Salesforce)

Excel & MS Office

Communication skills

Tools

R

SPSS

Tableau

Salesforce Analytics Cloud

Job description

Working Title: Prospect Development Analyst

State Role Title: Public Relations and Marketing Specialist III

Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Advancement Information Services

Department: 100494 - Prospect Development

Pay Band:4

Pay Rate: Maximum Starting

Specify Range or Amount: $55,675

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date:08/14/2026

About JMU

At James Madison University (JMU), we're more than just a publicly funded institution - we're a vibrant, welcoming community located on a stunning campus where innovation, collaboration, and personal growth thrive. Our mission is to prepare students for a bright future, and we believe that starts with supporting the people who make it all possible: our employees.

Why Work at JMU?

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional journey and personal wellbeing:

• Generous Leave: Enjoy paid vacation, sick leave, parental leave, community service leave, and 19 paid holidays annually.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access high-quality health insurance options that fit your needs.
• Retirement Options: Plan for your future with retirement benefits through the Virginia Retirement System.
• Employee Well-Being: Our Balanced Dukes program promotes wellness and work-life integration through resources, events, and support.
• Tuition Waiver Program: Advance your education with our tuition waiver program for undergraduate and graduate courses taken at JMU.

At JMU, we believe in Being the Change - and that starts with creating an environment where you can grow, contribute meaningfully, and feel supported every step of the way.

Discover what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment

General Information

The Prospect Development Analyst provides strategic research, analysis, and data-driven insights that strengthen the major and principal gift pipeline. This position identifies and evaluates prospective donors, monitors, and informs and delivers actionable intelligence to front-line fundraisers and University leadership. Through a combination of research, data analytics, visualization, reporting, and fundraiser collaboration, the Prospect Development Analyst supports the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of donors to achieve the University’s philanthropic priorities and fundraising goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

• The Prospect Development Analyst identifies and evaluates prospective donors based on giving capacity, affinity, and engagement. The Analyst analyzes, interprets the information to collaborate with Prospect Development Colleagues to help inform prospect strategy and portfolio development. The Analyst uses research, data analysis, reporting tools, and emerging technologies to develop the intelligence to inform a healthy major gift pipeline.
• The Prospect Development Analyst works with colleagues and student employees to develop large scale data projects to maintain the quality, accuracy, and reliability of constituent and prospect data.
• The Prospect Development Analyst enters, updates, and maintains constituent and prospect data in the Philanthropy and Engagement data structures. The Analyst prepares, verifies, and updates data related to donor capacity, engagement, interests, philanthropic activity, and relationships, helping to ensure the accuracy and accessibility of information used to support fundraising and prospect development initiatives.
• The Prospect Development Analyst shares prospect research, identification results, and actionable insights with Philanthropy and Engagement fundraising staff through training, written reports, presentations, meetings and discussions.
• The Prospect Development Analyst participates in continuous professional development to enhance analytical, communication, and collaborative skills essential to prospect development and fundraising success.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Experience with prospect development principles, including identification, capacity, affinity, engagement indicators, and database marketing methods essential to donor pipeline development.
• Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion, sound judgment, and a high degree of professionalism.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to gather, interpret, and synthesize complex information from diverse sources to support fundraising strategy and inform decision-making.
• Experience with CRM systems (Salesforce preferred), Microsoft Office applications (particularly Excel), and relational database skills.
• High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, ensuring the quality, consistency, and reliability of constituent information.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to present research findings clearly and build effective working relationships.

Additional Considerations:

• APRA Body of Knowledge Level I competencies in prospect research and data analytics, or demonstrated foundational knowledge equivalent to industry standards in prospect development.
• Familiarity with AI tools, assistants, and agents, and an interest in learning their application to prospect discovery, research automation, and fundraising analytics.
• Understanding of statistical techniques, predictive modeling, stochastic modeling, or data visualization, with exposure to tools such as R, SPSS, Tableau, or Salesforce Analytics Cloud.
• Knowledge of business intelligence processes and their application to advancement, prospect identification, and portfolio strategy.
• Experience analyzing complex financial, business, and wealth-related documents, including SEC filings, real estate records, business ownership, and philanthropic giving histories.

Additional Posting Information

Conditions of Employment

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: [phone].

Reasonable Accommodation

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at [phone] or [e-mail]. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.