Senior Associate Director, Prospect Management - University Advancement

Washington University in St. Louis; St. Louis (MO); Hybrid; USD 66,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington University in St. Louis is seeking a Senior Associate Director of Prospect Management to guide frontline fundraisers with data-driven insights and strategic portfolios.

You will lead a 2-4 person team, translate analytics into actionable cultivation plans, and collaborate across Prospect Research, gift officers, and leadership. Ideal candidates bring 3+ years in advancement roles, CRM proficiency, and a strong coaching mindset to shape campaigns that support students, faculty, and

Qualifications

• 3+ years of relevant experience in prospect management, fundraising, analytics, or higher education/nonprofit advancement.
• Proven track record of managing projects, working with CRM tools, and handling confidential data with integrity.

Responsibilities

• Drive portfolio health & movement by building portfolios, analyzing data to optimize fundraiser portfolios, and monitoring pipeline velocity.
• Coach & develop a dedicated team of 2-4 staff members, fostering curiosity, continuous learning, and clear execution.
• Translate data trends into actionable insights to inform cultivation, solicitation, and asks by frontline gift officers.
• Bridge relationships between Prospect Research, gift officers, managers, and advancement leadership with strong operational knowledge and emotional intelligence.

Skills

Relationship building

Data analytics

CRM systems

People coaching

Strategic thinking

Education

Master's degree

Job description

Salary Range: $65,900 - $88,000

Turn Data into Strategic Impact in Higher Ed Advancement

Are you an organized, data-fluent professional with a talent for building relationships, translating complex analytics into clear strategy, and coaching teams to success?

We are seeking a Senior Associate Director of Prospect Management to serve as a key strategic engine behind our fundraising success. In this role, you won't just manage data — you'll combine quantitative rigor with a people-centered approach, guide frontline fundraisers through high-stakes donor pipelines, partner with managers to drive consistent operations and outcomes, and directly shape how our institution builds transformational relationships.

Why Join Us?

• Strategic Influence: Serve as a trusted advisor to gift officers and leadership, facilitating cross-vertical strategy sessions across Leadership, Major, and Principal giving tiers (including our Eliot Society).
• Transformational Impact: Your work will shape the success of the With You Campaign by providing mission-critical insights that can lead to life-changing support for our students, faculty, and researchers.
• Dynamic Work Culture: Enjoy the energy of an active campus environment with the flexibility of an optional remote Friday hybrid schedule.

What You’ll Do

• Drive Portfolio Health & Movement: Build portfolios, analyze data to optimize fundraiser portfolios, monitor pipeline velocity, and ensure our top prospective donors are actively engaged.
• Coach & Develop: Lead a dedicated team of 2-4 staff members, fostering an environment of curiosity, continuous learning, and clear execution.
• Translate Data into Strategy: Turn complex data trends into actionable insights, contributing to tailored cultivation, solicitation, and ask strategies to frontline gift officers. Use data to inform early intervention to correct course on portfolio management.
• Bridge Relationships: Act as the connective tissue between Prospect Research, gift officers, managers, and advancement leadership—blending deep operational knowledge with high emotional intelligence.

Who You Are

• A Thoughtful, Intentional Communicator: You know how to "manage up and out," adapting your communication style to build trust across different organizational hierarchies and personalities.
• A Data-Driven Strategist: You view data as a story waiting to be told. You're fast at picking up complex CRM systems and love using data to solve broad, interconnected problems.
• A Fast, Curious Learner: You naturally seek out best practices, ask sharp questions, and thrive in dynamic environments.
• A People Developer: You find genuine joy in coaching staff, setting clear standards, and helping team members grow their careers.
• An Organized Contributor: Track steps to achieve long-term and short-term objectives, hold yourself and others accountable to deadlines, and are able to move in and out of projects based on organizational priorities.

Qualifications

Required:

• 3+ years of relevant experience in prospect management, fundraising, analytics, or higher education/nonprofit advancement
• Proven track record of managing projects, working with CRM tools, and handling confidential data with integrity

Preferred:

• Experience in a complex fundraising organization
• Demonstrated experience leading or coaching team members
• Proven ability to confidently facilitate strategy discussions with senior leaders and frontline fundraisers
• Advanced degree (Master's preferred)