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.
*note: Salary commensurate with internal equity based on education, scope, and experience
Responsibilities% of timeEssential Function (Yes/No)Key Responsibilities (To be completed by Supervisor)30%
YESFunctions as a lead and consults with fundraising staff to oversee multiple research initiatives of high visibility and impact. Develops processes and methodologies to carry out complex research projects. Understanding of prospect moves management as well pipeline development.
Principal Giving & Leadership Prospect Intelligence: Evaluates and synthesizes complex background information, wealth indicators, corporate disclosures, and capacity ratings to identify prospects worthy of leadership visibility. Applies established standards to vet and evaluate prospective candidates for recruitment pipelines associated with the UCSF Foundation Board and Benioff Children’s Hospital Foundation Board. Translates raw research data into actionable intelligence, strategic briefs, and capacity assessments tailored for executive consumption. Ensures all prospect intelligence meets institutional research standards, compliance guidelines, and donor privacy policies before distribution.
25%
YESProvides highly specialized prospect research and analyses using a variety of sources and strategies. Synthesizes large amounts of data for development planning and decision making.
Executive Portfolio & Pipeline Management: Directs the operational workflows, tracking mechanisms, and review cadences that govern executive prospect portfolios (Vice Chancellor, Associate Vice Chancellor, and Principal Giving leads). Meets regularly with frontline fundraisers to review portfolio health, analyze prospect progress, and provide strategic framing of data to guide frontline moves. Synthesizes complex data into executive-level pipeline updates, portfolio health metrics, and strategic research intelligence for senior leadership. Ensures portfolio assignments, stage movements, and engagement milestones are accurately tracked and maintained within institutional systems.
25%
YESDevelops and manages research programs, campaigns, goals and strategies. Recommends elements to include in annual plan. Resource for staff in development of new programs or initiatives.
Executive Portfolio & Pipeline Management: Directs the operational workflows, tracking mechanisms, and review cadences that govern executive prospect portfolios (Vice Chancellor, Associate Vice Chancellor, and Principal Giving leads). Meets regularly with frontline fundraisers to review portfolio health, analyze prospect progress, and provide strategic framing of data to guide frontline moves. Synthesizes complex data into executive-level pipeline updates, portfolio health metrics, and strategic research intelligence for senior leadership. Ensures portfolio assignments, stage movements, and engagement milestones are accurately tracked and maintained within institutional systems.
15%
YESAs a technical leader, provides guidance to management on ways to improve department processes for identifying and tracking prospects and donors. Regularly serves on committees for broad-based initiatives.
Matrixed Analytics & Research Integration: Collaborates closely with the Prospect Decision Intelligence team to leverage advanced analytics, predictive modeling, and data sets for pipeline optimization. Maintains active synergy with the broader Prospect Research and Management team to align departmental intake protocols, research standards, and methodologies. Translates technical data modeling and analytics into practical, frontline-ready portfolio insights and pipeline recommendations. Provides ongoing feedback to analytics partners on data quality, reporting utility, and emerging research needs across executive portfolios.
5%
YESOther duties as assigned based on business needs. QualificationsKnowledge, Skills and AbilitiesReq / PrefAdvanced 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.Req5+ years of progressively responsible experience in prospect research, prospect development, development operations, or pipeline analytics in a higher education or complex non-profit environment.Req5–7+ 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
Skills Required
- Advanced knowledge of prospect research analysis, strategy, and best practices, including evaluating wealth indicators, financial data, corporate disclosures, and biographical information.
- Advanced knowledge of confidentiality, regulatory, and university policies governing research activities.
- Experience using complex research systems, CRMs such as Salesforce or Blackbaud CRM/RE NXT, and prospect research tools such as LexisNexis, RelSci, iWave, Wealth-X, SEC filings, and real estate databases.
- Experience using artificial intelligence platforms and modern technology tools for research synthesis, automation, or data discovery.
- Project management and program coordination skills, including managing timelines and cross-functional initiatives without direct-report authority.
- Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills with fundraisers, executive leadership, multidisciplinary teams, and industry colleagues.
- Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills for evaluating complex financial structures and estimating prospect capacity and risk.
- Advanced verbal and written communication skills for preparing executive-level research profiles, strategic evaluations, and pipeline updates.
- At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in prospect research, prospect development, development operations, or pipeline analytics in higher education or a complex nonprofit environment.
- 5–7+ years of experience in academic medicine or a complex university system, supporting principal gift strategies, executive portfolios, and cross-functional initiatives.
What We Do
The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading health sciences university and medical center. Comprised of the university campus, UCSF Health, and affiliated hospitals, it is one of the largest employers in its region. UCSF is dedicated to its mission of advancing health worldwide through the integration of patient care, research, and education.
