Senior Associate Director, Prospect Research

Job Summary

The Senior Associate Director, Prospect Research, manages a prospect research team that increases the size and quality of the prospect pool, with an emphasis on high‑level Major ($100K‑$4.9M) and Principal ($5M+) Gift prospects. Working closely with the Director, Prospect Development and Campaign Management, the director guides overall prospect‑research strategies, conducts research on individual prospects and donors, and provides capacity ratings and other materials to support cultivation, solicitation and stewardship efforts. The position manages best‑practice methodologies for research techniques and process documentation.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction to the Prospect Research team.
• Develop and empower two Associate Directors, leveraging talent‑management strategies in collaboration with the Director, Prospect Development and Campaign Management.
• Serve as a collaborative thought partner to frontline fundraisers, alumni engagement staff, advancement operations, and senior staff, architecting and executing high‑level prospect‑research strategies.
• Oversee and optimize enterprise‑level prospect identification, capacity assessment, and wealth screening initiatives, setting ambitious team goals.
• Guide the delivery of strategic wealth and capacity analysis within executive briefing materials for senior institutional leaders.
• Synthesize complex data from electronic and print resources to produce thorough prospect profiles.
• Spearhead innovative prospecting initiatives to identify new leadership gifts, major gifts, and principal gifts prospects.
• Continuously monitor industry trends, best practices, and regulatory changes, serving as an expert champion for professional advancement.
• Demonstrate expertise in analyzing financial and legal documents and maintain advanced proficiency with financial‑services terminology.
• Liaise with UChicago Advancement counterparts on prospect‑research–related projects.
• Ensure prospect‑research data is maintained in the records database.
• Provide guidance and training to research analysts and staff on fundraising, report writing, and research.
• Perform other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• College or university degree in a related field.

Work Experience

• 5–7 years of experience in a related discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Industry experience in prospect research.
• Management experience.
• Background in an institution of higher education.
• Familiarity with prospect‑research tools and applications such as iWave, LexisNexis, Pitchbook, and others.
• Proficiency with Windows and the standard MS Office suite.
• Strong knowledge of current trends in prospect research, financial sectors, fundraising and alumni relations, including benchmarking and metrics.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Superior attention to detail and commitment to customer service.
• Scrupulous attention to matters of discretion and confidentiality.

Working Conditions

• Minimum three days per week in the office.
• Travel to campus and/or non‑campus locations for university business.
• Work evenings and weekends on occasion.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $89,000.00 – $110,000.00.
• Benefits eligible: Yes. Includes health, retirement, and paid time off.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, expression, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information, please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.

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