Prospect Development Analyst

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

Experienced professional who knows how to apply theory and put it into practice with in-depth understanding of the professional field; independently performs the full range of responsibilities within the function; possesses broad job knowledge; analyzes problems / issues of diverse scope and determines solutions.

Custom Scope

Are you passionate about leveraging data analytics, market intelligence, and deep research to power transformative philanthropy?

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is seeking an analytical, collaborative, and driven

Prospect Development Analyst to join the Office of University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR). Functioning as a vital strategic partner to frontline fundraisers throughout the donor lifecycle, you will deliver crucial decision intelligence, evaluate and optimize fundraiser portfolios, and co-develop moves management strategies that accelerate major gift pipelines across the institution.

In this role, you will apply seasoned research expertise to evaluate complex donor wealth structures, giving capacity, and philanthropic inclination. By translating raw data, corporate disclosures, real estate records, and market trends into actionable briefings, you will serve as an indispensable strategic co-pilot, driving donor velocity and fueling UCSF's most ambitious scientific, clinical, and educational initiatives.

Why This Role Is Unique

• Strategic Engine of Philanthropy: Work within a forward-thinking Prospect Development team that moves far beyond traditional research, integrating predictive modeling, proactive pipeline strategy, and data science.
• Direct Frontline Co-Pilot: Act as an embedded advisor to frontline fundraisers, participating in strategy check-ins, optimizing portfolio health, and guiding donors through qualification, cultivation, and solicitation.
• Complex Data Synthesis: Tackle intricate wealth structures - including private equity, venture capital, private business valuations, and family foundations - transforming obscure intelligence into clear executive summaries.
• High-Impact Collaborative Culture: Join a supportive, highly matrixed team within UDAR, offering flexible hybrid work options at UCSF's 2001 The Embarcadero location.

Desired Mindset & Competencies

• Analytical Curiosity & Problem Solving: Demonstrated ability to triangulate incomplete or contradictory data from disparate public sources and distill it into clear, defensible capacity estimates.
• Consultative Partnership: Professional maturity and political acumen to partner effectively with frontline officers, offering data-backed guidance and constructive portfolio recommendations.
• Integrity & Discretion: Absolute commitment to maintaining donor privacy, data integrity, and compliance with institutional research policies.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Req / Pref

Thorough knowledge of prospect research techniques, wealth intelligence methodologies, and tools (e.g., LexisNexis, ResearchPoint, iWave, SEC filings, real estate/property records) to evaluate donor capacity, inclination, and affinity.

Req

Strong technical skills to utilize, manipulate, and extract information from fundraising CRMs and databases (e.g., Salesforce, Advance, Raiser’s Edge/NXT) to maintain data integrity and generate complex reports.

Req

Applied understanding of moves management frameworks, portfolio tracking concepts, and the donor lifecycle (qualification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship) to analyze portfolio metrics and resolve pipeline bottlenecks.

Req

Professional maturity and consultative capability to partner effectively with frontline fundraisers, offer data-backed recommendations, and guide prospect trajectories.

Req

Strong verbal and written communication skills to articulate reasoning behind analyses and produce concise, executive-level prospect profiles, briefings, and portfolio summaries.

Req

Strong analytical abilities and critical thinking skills to evaluate complex issues, synthesize contradictory or obscure data, and identify practical solutions within defined procedures and policies.

Req

Proven project management skills to manage research deliverables through to completion while adapting to changing priorities, deadlines, and directions.

Req

Thorough knowledge of confidentiality, regulatory, and university policies governing research activities and donor data privacy.

Req

2 to 3+ years of professional experience in prospect development, prospect research, or portfolio management, or a transferable research-intensive background (e.g., market intelligence, due diligence, legal/academic research).

Req

Demonstrated experience analyzing complex wealth indicators, including private equity holdings, venture capital investments, private company valuations, real estate portfolios, and private foundations.

Pref

Prior professional experience working within a complex, decentralized higher education, academic medicine, or major medical research setting.

Pref

Familiarity with leveraging predictive modeling scores, wealth screening algorithms, and data visualization tools (such as Tableau or Power BI) to inform portfolio strategy.

Pref

Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.

Req