Description

The Prospect Research and Management Analyst supports the University’s fundraising success by providing high-quality prospect research, portfolio management, and data stewardship. This role partners closely with frontline fundraisers, Advancement Services colleagues, and leadership to identify, qualify, and manage prospects across the donor lifecycle. The Analyst plays a critical role in ensuring prospect data is accurate, actionable, and strategically aligned with fundraising priorities.

Primary position responsibilities:

Prospect Research

• Conduct comprehensive research on individuals, corporations, and foundations using internal systems and external research tools.
• Prepare donor profiles, capacity assessments, and briefing materials for frontline fundraisers, senior leadership, and executive engagements.
• Analyze philanthropic capacity, inclination, and affinity to support prospect qualification and solicitation strategy.
• Support proactive prospect identification efforts, including discovery pools and event-based research.

Portfolio and Prospect Management

• Support the maintenance of prospect portfolios, including assignments, reassignments, moves management, and proposal tracking.
• Enter and maintain opportunities, goals, stages, and contact reports in the CRM and/or portfolio management system.
• Assist with portfolio reviews by preparing metrics, pipeline summaries, and aging reports.
• Monitor portfolio health indicators such as capacity distribution, activity levels, and proposal progress.

Collaboration and Training

• Partner with frontline fundraisers to support effective portfolio strategy and data usage.
• Provide guidance to fundraisers on prospect management expectations, data entry standards, and system usage.
• Collaborate with Advancement Services teams to continuously improve prospect development processes.

Reporting and Analytics Support

• Produce standardized prospect and portfolio reports for fundraisers and leadership.
• Assist with tracking fundraising metrics, proposal activity, and pipeline performance.
• Support data-driven decision-making through analysis of trends, gaps, and opportunities within portfolios.
   

The above statements describe the job’s essential responsibilities and requirements.  They are not an exhaustive list of the duties that may be assigned to job incumbents.

Belmont University seeks to attract and retain highly qualified faculty and staff who will support our mission and vision. As a Christ-centered and student-focused community, we aim to:

• Form diverse leaders of character;
• Equip people to solve the world’s complex problems through teaching, research and service;
• And be radical champions for helping people and communities flourish.

Required Qualifications

• Analytical Thinking: Ability to identify issues, obtain relevant information, relate and compare data from different sources, and identify alternative solutions.
• Critical Thinking: Interprets and seeks information, uses independent reasoning to diagnose the root cause of situations or issues, identifies and tests solutions and thinks beyond what is typical or customary. Uses information to determine benefits and impact in making decision and/or recommendations.
• Project/Program/Service Management: Ability to coordinate and administer programs/project activities and protocols. Ability to manage resources, monitor activities, and assess risks and quality issues associated with the program/project.
• Written and Oral Communications: Ability to present information to individuals or groups; ability to deliver presentations suited to the characteristics and needs of the audience. Ability to convey information clearly and concisely to groups or individuals either verbally or in writing to ensure that they understand the information and the message. Ability to listen and respond appropriately to others. Ability to impact and influence others to further the institution’s strategic objectives.
• Technical, Computer, and Software Skills: Ability to use Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and basic databases and software. Experience with advancement CRMs (e.g., Raiser’s Edge NXT, Blackbaud CRM, Salesforce NPSP/Affinaquest). Familiarity with prospect research tools (e.g., LexisNexis, Foundation Directory, WealthX, DonorSearch, iWave).
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment and the ability to respond to high-pressure situations. Ability to thrive in an environment of hard work.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community

Required Education

A bachelor’s degree in a discipline requiring the study of research techniques and information interpretation, such as journalism, library science, or business is required. five years of experience in higher education, fundraising or research.

Required Experience

5 years of experience in higher education, fundraising or research is required.

Workplace Type

Hybrid: This role has the opportunity to work remotely up to two days per week following completion of the training and onboarding period.