Prospect Management Consultant - University Advancement

Washington University in St. Louis; St. Louis (MO); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive health insurance packages

22 days of vacation plus holidays

Tuition assistance for employees and dependents

Job summary

A leading higher education institution in St. Louis seeks a Prospect Management Consultant to manage prospect data integrity and provide insights for fundraising strategies. The candidate will work collaboratively with gift officers and fundraising teams to optimize donor engagement. Responsibilities include building portfolios, delivering data-informed analysis, and conducting consultations with frontline fundraisers on best practices. This full-time position offers a hybrid work model with a competitive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Mid-career professional with experience in prospect development.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple deadlines.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to train clients on complex concepts.

Responsibilities

• Manage the integrity of prospect data and guide portfolio strategies.
• Collaborate with fundraising teams and deliver performance insights.
• Conduct prospect management consultations to enhance portfolio growth.

Skills

Analytical Thinking

Client Relationship Management

Data Interpretations

Problem Solving

Education

Experience in fundraising or nonprofit sector

Proficiency in data analysis tools like Excel, Tableau

Tools

Salesforce

Excel

Tableau

Job description

Position Summary

The role of Prospect Management Consultant is an exciting opportunity for a data-driven, mid-career professional who is eager to contribute to a collaborative and strategic team. This position plays a critical role in managing and maintaining the integrity of prospect data; guiding and constructing portfolios, coordinating pipeline movement, preparing performance insights and advising frontline fundraisers and colleagues on best practices in prospect management.

These duties are essential for optimizing our fundraising strategy, as effective prospect management directly influences our ability to identify, engage, and maintain relationships with potential donors. By focusing on prospects capable of making substantial contributions ranging from $25,000 to $4,999,999, the Prospect Management Consultant plays a vital role in our ability to achieve fundraising goals. The professional in this position will provide actionable insights and best practices to frontline fundraisers and leadership, ensuring informed decision-making that drives donor-centric strategies.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position based on campus, with an optional hybrid work schedule.

Building, Analyzing, and Optimizing Gift Officer Portfolios & Partnerships

• Build and maintain qualification queues and portfolios for gift officers.
• Collaborate with fundraising teams in 1-2 assigned geographic territories to manage queue assignments, portfolio composition, data integrity, and pipeline development.
• Lead recurring (typically quarterly) prospect management consultations with gift officers to guide strategy, prioritize prospects, and support long-term portfolio growth.
• Deliver holistic, data-informed analysis of qualification queues, portfolio health, performance metrics, and pipeline trends.
• Provide targeted strategic analysis to drive fundraiser performance and meaningful donor engagement.
• Prepare and share performance insights that help evaluate fundraising activity, forecast outcomes, and inform next steps.
• Establish collaborative partnerships with gift officers and Executive Directors to align portfolio strategy with team goals, individual styles, and capacity priorities.
• Contribute innovative, data-driven approaches to prospect strategy and portfolio optimization through insight, iteration, and consultation.

Liaison with Prospect Management and Research Colleagues

• Identify and prioritize new prospect assignments across capacity lanes within the identified territory.
• Prepare materials for territory-based internal meetings, as needed.
• Provide critical support in the management, maintenance, and integrity of prospect data in CRM, including processing gift officer requests for prospect assignment changes.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

Job Location/Working Conditions: Normal office environment.

Physical Effort: Typically sitting at a desk or table; Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a prospect development, research, or prospect management function in a fundraising, nonprofit, or higher-education setting.
• Experience as a frontline fundraiser preferred.
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools (e.g., Excel, Tableau, Power BI, R, Python, or similar) to support portfolio optimization, trend identification, and strategic decision-making.
• Highly organized and able to work under pressure to coordinate multiple requests/competing deadlines.
• Ability to train/coach clients on complex concepts and business practices.
• Ability to compile, report, and analyze information from diverse sources.
• Ability to understand problems from a broad, interactive perspective and conceive strategic solutions.

Skills

• Analytical Thinking, Business Interactions, Business Practices, Client Relationship Management, Complex Systems, Confidentiality, Critical Thinking, Data Interpretations, Datasets, Decision Making, Detail-Oriented, Fundraising, Microsoft Office, Multitasking, Oral Communications, Organizing, Problem Solving, Prospect Management, Relationship Management, Salesforce (Software), Social Interaction, Sound Judgment, Written Communication

Salary Range

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [e-mail] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U‑Pass for eligible employees.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Washington University is dedicated to building a community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.