Senior Prospect Research Analyst, University Advancement (2880)

Idaho State University; Pocatello (ID); Remote; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Idaho State University seeks a Senior Prospect Research Analyst to partner with fundraising leadership in directing quarterly portfolio reviews and advancing moves-management across principal and major gift portfolios.

The role blends traditional prospect research with data analytics to translate signals into actionable recommendations that drive philanthropy and ISU priorities, including academics, athletics, and capital projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or nine years of direct, relevant experience.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data into insights.
• Strong writing and editing skills; experience producing executive-ready briefs.

Responsibilities

• Co-lead the quarterly portfolio review process; prepare dashboards and document actions.
• Maintain Portfolio Guide with stage definitions, movement targets, and cadence.
• Monitor pipeline health and recommend portfolio right-sizing and reallocations.
• Support moves management: surface next best actions, prep briefs, and coordinate with gift officers.
• Audit major gift pools, portfolios, and proposals for accuracy and deduplication.
• Partner with Data Analyst to produce routine portfolio and pipeline reporting.
• Ensure privacy, CASE standards, and institutional policy compliance.

Skills

Data synthesis

Strong writing/editing

CRM/advancement systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Communications, Social Sciences, Library/Information Science, Data Analytics or related

Nine years of direct, relevant professional experience (alternative to degree)

Tools

Raiser’s Edge NXT

Wealth screening tools

Excel/Google Sheets

Job description

Senior Prospect Research Analyst, University Advancement (2880)

Pocatello - Main
Maybe eligible for remote work from Idaho, Wyoming or Utah as approved by hiring manager.

Priority Date: November 1, 2026

Institution Information

Idaho State University, established in 1901, is aCarnegie-classified doctoral research and teaching institution, with a culturebuilt on trust, compassion, stability, and hope. ISU serves over 12,000students in Pocatello, Meridian, Twin Falls, and Idaho Falls. Students andfaculty at ISU are leading the way in cutting-edge research and innovativesolutions. We are proud to offer exceptional academics nestled in the grand,natural beauty of the West. We invite you to apply to be a part of ourUniversity community!

Job Description

The Senior Prospect Research Analyst is a strategic partner to fundraising leadership and Directors of Development. The role leads the quarterly portfolio review program, advances moves-management discipline across principal and major gift portfolios, and delivers high‑quality research, analysis, and briefings that accelerate philanthropic outcomes. The ideal candidate blends traditional prospect research with modern data analytics, translating internal and external signals into clear recommendations that drive action.

Reports to: Director, Foundation Data and Research Supervises: Prospect Research Analyst

This position is not eligible for new visa sponsorship at this time. Candidates who already hold valid U.S. work authorization may be considered.

Key Responsibilities

• Portfolio Management and Moves Strategy
  • Co-lead the quarterly portfolio review process: prepare coverage and activity dashboards; facilitate review meetings; document adds/drops, next steps, and accountability follow-ups.
  • Maintain the Portfolio Guide (stage definitions, movement expectations, contact/visit cadence, portfolio size/coverage targets) in partnership with the Director.
  • Monitor pipeline health (stage aging, coverage ratios, proposal velocity) and recommend portfolio right-sizing and reallocations.
  • Support moves management discipline: surface next best actions, create call sheets/prep briefs, and coordinate with gift officers and leadership on movement plans.
• Prospect Research and Intelligence
  • Continuously strengthen ISU’s prospect pipeline by combining internal Foundation’s data with vetted public sources to surface affinity, interests, and philanthropic capacity.
  • Apply structured research methods to analyze financial and biographical indicators; produce decision-ready profiles and strategy notes; and recommend the next, highest-impact actions for each prospect.
  • Scan news and market signals and translate relevant developments into prospect strategies aligned to ISU priorities (academics, athletics, scholarships, capital projects).
  • Produce concise, executive-ready briefs for priority visits and solicitations Data Stewardship, Reporting and Audits.
  • Audit principal and major gift pools, portfolios, and proposals to ensure accuracy, deduplication, and stage integrity.
  • Partner with Data Analyst to produce routine portfolio and pipeline reporting, including activity, coverage, and outcomes by unit and fundraiser.
  • Ensure compliance with privacy, CASE standards, and institutional policies; document sources and methodologies for repeatability and audit readiness.
• Collaboration, Training and Standards
  • Serve as a strategic partner to the development team; provide ongoing research, qualification lists, and cultivation/solicitation strategies.
  • Review and refine research deliverables for clarity, sourcing, and tone; uphold team style and citation standards.
  • Coach a Prospect Research Analyst and student staff; deliver practical training on research methods, brief writing, and moves-management basics.
  • Contribute to a learning culture by sharing best practices with Advancement and Foundation colleagues and building peer networks across institutions.
• Continuous Improvement
  • Pursue targeted professional learning (e.g., Apra/CASE sessions and peer exchanges) and incorporate takeaways into team playbooks.
  • Develop and refine templates, playbooks, and SOPs that scale prospecting, qualification, and portfolio hygiene across the division.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’sdegree in Business, Communications, Social Sciences, Library/InformationScience, Data Analytics, or a related discipline, plus a minimum of (3) yearsof progressively responsible relevant professional experience. In lieu of a Bachelor’sdegree, at least nine (9) years of direct, relevant professional experience maybe considered (where six (6) years of experience substitutes for the degreerequirement, in addition to three (3) years of required role experience).
• At least one (1) year mentoring and supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data into clear, actionable insights and recommendations.
• Strong writing and editing skills; experience producing executive-ready briefs and strategy documents.
• Experience with CRM/advancement systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge NXT or similar), wealth screening and research tools, and advanced Excel/Google Sheets.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting principal gifts and complex, multi-stakeholder strategies.
• Knowledge of CASE Global Reporting Standards and advancement best practices (prospect stages, pipeline metrics, portfolio coverage).
• Experience supporting comprehensive fundraising campaigns.
• Experience working in philanthropy in a higher education and/or non-profit setting.
• The ideal candidate is an outcomes‑focused research partner who turns data and context into clear next steps for fundraisers. Grounded in confidentiality and professional standards, they ask smart questions, surface risks and opportunities, and improve processes with reusable templates and SOPs. Collaborative, curious, and reliable, they help move prospects through the pipeline and advance ISU’s fundraising priorities. If you thrive in a collaborative environment and are inspired by the opportunity to help shape the future of Idaho State University, we encourage you to apply and join our Advancement and Foundation team.

Additional Information

You must submit your CV/resume, cover letter, and list of three (3) professional references, including current contact information. This position will remain open until it is filled; however, priority consideration will be given to applications received on or before November 1, 2026. Salary will be between $65,000 and $75,000 per year, commensurate with education and experience. Benefits include comprehensivehealth, dental, and vision; life insurance; disability plan; employee assistanceprogram (EAP); excellent retirement options and company contribution; andgenerous paid time off/sick leave accrual. All offers of employment areconditional pending the successful completion of a background investigation, provided by HireRight.

Idaho State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, including Veterans and individuals with disabilities.
The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact [phone] (TTY/TTD: 711), or email [e-mail].
Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.

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