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Tufts University · 3 weeks ago

Associate Director, Principal Gift Research, Prospect Development

Medford, MA

Full-time

Hybrid

Lead/Staff, Director/Executive

$72K/yr - $109K/yr

5+ years exp

Tufts University is seeking an Associate Director of Principal Gift Research, Prospect Development to shape and execute strategies for securing principal and transformational gifts. This role involves leading research efforts, delivering strategic insights, and managing a Research Analyst to support the university's top fundraising priorities.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedical

Responsibilities

Deliver accurate, timely, and strategic research products to support the Principal Gifts team and University leadership

Conduct in-depth research and analysis on high-net-worth individuals, families, and related entities to assess philanthropic capacity, interests, and alignment with Tufts’ strategic priorities

Interpret complex financial data, including SEC filings, real estate holdings, business ownership, and philanthropic giving histories, to inform prospect evaluations and strategies

Prepare comprehensive research profiles, briefings, and strategy memos for use by senior leadership, principal gift fundraisers, and academic partners

Respond to high-level research and reference requests, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and confidentiality in all deliverables

Facilitate information sharing across the Prospect Development, Principal Gifts, and Advancement teams to maintain a cohesive understanding of Tufts’ top prospects

Lead proactive prospect identification initiatives to uncover new principal- and transformational-gift-level donors

Leverage data analytics, modeling, and external wealth screening tools to build and expand Tufts’ principal gift prospect pipeline

Monitor and interpret trends in wealth creation, philanthropy, and major industry sectors that may influence donor capacity or interest

Identify and track emerging prospects resulting from liquidity events, IPOs, business transitions, or public philanthropy

Partner with the Executive Director of Principal Giving to develop and refine methodologies for prospect discovery, qualification, and prioritization

Collaborate with the Director of Prospect Management to ensure principal gift prospects are accurately tracked and managed in AIM, Tufts’ advancement database

Oversee data integrity and ensure that research findings and engagement strategies are effectively documented and utilized

Partner with information systems team to enhance prospect segmentation and visualization through Salesforce and Tableau tools

Evaluate data processes and recommend system improvements that increase efficiency, accuracy, and return on investment

Lead or co-lead special research projects that advance principal giving strategy and cross-unit collaboration

Develop and maintain templates, protocols, and quality standards for principal giving research products

Identify and evaluate new research resources, technologies, and methodologies to enhance prospect development work

Represent Prospect Development in key meetings, committees, and task forces to ensure alignment across Advancement divisions

Stay current on trends in philanthropy, data analytics, and wealth research, sharing insights to strengthen Tufts’ prospect development program

Supervise one Research Analyst, providing guidance, mentorship, and professional development

Set clear priorities and manage workflow, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality research products

Collaborate closely with the Principal Gifts and Prospect Development teams to align research capacity with strategic fundraising objectives

Build a strong, collaborative relationship with the Executive Director of Principal Giving and other senior fundraising leaders to inform and support engagement strategies

Contribute to the onboarding and training of new research staff and principal gift officers on prospect research tools and best practices

Qualification

Prospect researchData analyticsFundraising strategyMicrosoft OfficeHigher education advancementCommunication skillsLeadershipProject management

Required

Knowledge and skills as typically acquired through a bachelor's degree and 5-7 years of related experience working in prospect research

Familiarity with complex fundraising databases/CRMs

Proficiency in office software including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Knowledge and experience in higher education, non-profit or healthcare advancement

Ability to communicate and explain complex concepts to a varied audience

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred

Specific knowledge of fundraising-related aspects of a research university is highly desired

Specific knowledge of corporate and foundation-related prospect research is preferred

Previous experience managing direct report(s) is strongly preferred

Company

Tufts University

Glassdoor4.1

With four campuses in Massachusetts, Tufts is a research university committed to helping students and faculty generate bold ideas, innovate, and become active citizens of the world.

Founded in 1979

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

10001+ employees