Associate Director, Prospect Development

Job Function Summary:

Involves activities associated with the research and management of prospective donors. Provides organization with key information and tools to effectively build relationships with donors and manage fundraiser portfolios. Provides performance metrics and consultation.

Generic Scope

Technical leader with a high degree of knowledge in the overall field and recognized expertise in specific areas; problem-solving frequently requires analysis of unique issues / problems without precedent and / or structure. May manage programs that include formulating strategies and administering policies, processes, and resources; functions with a high degree of autonomy.

Custom Scope

Are you an expert prospect research strategist ready to shape executive intelligence and principal giving pipelines at one of the world's leading health sciences institutions?

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is seeking an exceptional, highly autonomous Associate Director of Prospect Development to serve as the lead operational and research strategist supporting UCSF's Executive Office, Principal Giving Strategy team, and Volunteers program. Reporting to the Executive Director of Prospect Development within University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR), you will assume operational ownership of executive-level portfolios for the Vice Chancellor and Associate Vice Chancellor.

In this technical leadership role, you will design and manage proactive principal gift pipelines ($10M+), execute deep-dive network mapping, and vet high-caliber candidates for the UCSF Foundation Board and Benioff Children's Hospital Foundation Board. Acting as a strategic intelligence partner, you will combine deep analytical rigor with high-level stakeholder collaboration, translating complex wealth analytics and predictive modeling into executive decision intelligence that unlocks visionary philanthropy.

Why This Role Is Unique

• Executive Portfolio Ownership: Directly manage the operational tracking, review cadences, and intelligence pipeline for UCSF development executive leadership (Vice Chancellor and Associate Vice Chancellor).
• Principal Giving & Board Recruitment Scope: Drive network mapping and deep-dive intelligence for UHNW principal gift prospects ($10M+) and vet high-level leadership candidates for university foundation boards.
• Technical & Operational Leadership: Serve as a recognized subject matter expert across UDAR, integrating modern AI tools, predictive analytics, and data sets to optimize institutional pipelines.
• Matrixed Strategic Advisor: Bridge the gap between data science and frontline execution, providing matrixed guidance to interdisciplinary teams without administrative overhead.
• Premier Collaborative Culture: Embedded within UDAR's innovative Prospect Development team at UCSF's 2001 The Embarcadero location with flexible hybrid work options.

Desired Mindset & Competencies

• High-Level Strategic Agility: Proven ability to navigate opaque financial structures, evaluate UHNW prospects ($10M+), and frame delicate findings with exceptional diplomacy and neutrality.
• Modern Tool & AI Innovation: Enthusiastic about leveraging artificial intelligence tools, automation, and advanced research engines to streamline intelligence production.
• Executive Stakeholder Engagement: Superior interpersonal and political acumen to build seamless peer relationships with executive leadership, foundation board leads, and senior fundraisers.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Req / Pref

Advanced knowledge in prospect research analysis, strategy, and best practices, with deep expertise in evaluating, synthesizing, and interpreting complex wealth indicators, financial data, corporate disclosures, and biographical information to assess prospect capacity ($10M+ level) and inclination for principal-level giving.

Req

Advanced knowledge of confidentiality, regulatory, and university policies governing research activities, with proven ability to deal with highly confidential matters with diplomacy, tact, and sensitivity.

Req

Proven technical skills required to utilize multiple complex research systems, CRMs (e.g., Salesforce, Advancement CRM platforms, or Blackbaud CRM/RE NXT), and primary prospect research engines (e.g., LexisNexis, RelSci, iWave, WealthX, SEC filings, real estate databases) to synthesize complex data sets into executive-level research findings.

Req

Demonstrated experience utilizing artificial intelligence platforms and modern tech tools (e.g., generative AI tools for synthesis, automation, or advanced data discovery) to streamline research workflows and enhance research intelligence output.

Req

Proven project management and program coordination skills to lead interdisciplinary initiatives, prioritize personal and team deliverables, manage project timelines, and drive cross-functional programs through from inception to completion without direct-report authority.

Req

Interpersonal skills to work collaboratively and integrate with multidisciplinary teams across the organization; ability to build and maintain strong peer-level relationships with frontline fundraisers, executive leadership (Vice Chancellor/Associate Vice Chancellor), and industry colleagues.

Req

Advanced analytical abilities and problem-solving skills to quickly evaluate complex, opaque financial structures (e.g., private equity, venture capital, offshore assets, private holdings) and apply sound, defensible judgment in capacity estimation and risk assessment.

Req

Advanced verbal and written communication skills to frame complex prospect data into concise, executive-level research profiles, strategic evaluations, and pipeline updates for senior leadership.

Req

5+ years of progressively responsible experience in prospect research, prospect development, development operations, or pipeline analytics in a higher education or complex non-profit environment.

Req

5–7+ years of experience in an academic medicine or complex university system, with a proven track record supporting principal gift strategies, executive portfolios, and cross-functional team initiatives.

Pref