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.
*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)35%
YesPartners with assigned fundraising staff to build research resources, data analysis, and training to maintain robust portfolios and status relative to overall goals.
Prospect Intelligence and Research: Conducts in-depth research on individual, corporate, and foundation prospects to assess wealth capacity, giving inclination, and strategic affinity. Determines appropriate research methodologies and analytical standards to deliver actionable prospect profiles, bios, and intelligence briefings for frontline partners. Synthesizes qualitative and quantitative data into clear, strategic insights and capacity ratings to prepare fundraisers for major gift solicitations.
25%
YesDesigns, prepares and maintains complex reports and analyses for fundraising team to track progress, results, goals and objectives.
Portfolio Management and Optimization: Continuously reviews and evaluates frontline fundraiser portfolios to ensure pipeline health, balance, and active donor progression. Identifies stagnant prospects, evaluates portfolio activity, and collaborates with partners on prospect additions, reassignments, or disqualifications. Establishes realistic capacity ratings, target ask amounts, and regular portfolio health metrics to support partner teams.
20%
YesContributes to identifying prospect strategies, donor stewardship plans and event strategies to achieve campaign and annual goals and to advance donor relationships.
Frontline Partnership and Moves Management: Acts as a direct strategic co-pilot in partnership with frontline fundraising teams, participating in strategy sessions and portfolio check-ins. Tracks donor trajectories and monitors progress through each stage of the donor journey (qualification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship). Guides moves management milestones and co-develops custom cultivation and solicitation strategies for high-value prospects.
15%
YesProposes, executes, and coordinates recommendations to improve existing research operations.
Cross-Functional Collaboration and Strategy Alignment: Partners directly with the Prospect Decision Intelligence team to integrate predictive modeling, data analytics, and wealth screening results into actionable strategies. Collaborates with peer prospect development analysts to maintain consistency in research standards and shared best practices. Works under direct guidance of the Executive Director of Prospect Development to align team workflows with overarching institutional priorities.
5%
YesOther Duties as Assigned: Performs other related duties, operational support tasks, and special research projects as assigned based on operational and business needs. QualificationsKnowledge, Skills and AbilitiesReq / PrefThorough 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.ReqStrong 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.ReqApplied understanding of moves management frameworks, portfolio tracking concepts, and the donor lifecycle (qualification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship) to analyze portfolio metrics and resolve pipeline bottlenecks. ReqProfessional maturity and consultative capability to partner effectively with frontline fundraisers, offer data-backed recommendations, and guide prospect trajectories.ReqStrong verbal and written communication skills to articulate reasoning behind analyses and produce concise, executive-level prospect profiles, briefings, and portfolio summaries. ReqStrong analytical abilities and critical thinking skills to evaluate complex issues, synthesize contradictory or obscure data, and identify practical solutions within defined procedures and policies. ReqProven project management skills to manage research deliverables through to completion while adapting to changing priorities, deadlines, and directions. ReqThorough knowledge of confidentiality, regulatory, and university policies governing research activities and donor data privacy. Req2 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). ReqDemonstrated experience analyzing complex wealth indicators, including private equity holdings, venture capital investments, private company valuations, real estate portfolios, and private foundations. PrefPrior professional experience working within a complex, decentralized higher education, academic medicine, or major medical research setting. PrefFamiliarity with leveraging predictive modeling scores, wealth screening algorithms, and data visualization tools (such as Tableau or Power BI) to inform portfolio strategy. PrefBachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.ReqSkills Required
- Thorough knowledge of prospect research techniques, wealth intelligence methodologies, and tools such as LexisNexis, ResearchPoint, iWave, SEC filings, and real estate records
- Strong technical skills using fundraising CRM systems and databases such as Salesforce, Advance, and Raiser's Edge NXT
- Understanding of moves management frameworks, portfolio tracking, and donor lifecycle stages
- Professional maturity and consultative ability to partner with frontline fundraisers
- Strong verbal and written communication skills for executive-level profiles, briefings, and summaries
- Strong analytical and critical-thinking abilities to evaluate complex or contradictory information
- Proven project management skills and ability to manage deliverables amid changing priorities
- Knowledge of confidentiality, regulatory, and university policies governing donor data
- 2 to 3+ years of professional experience in prospect development, prospect research, portfolio management, or a transferable research-intensive field
- Bachelor's degree in a related area or equivalent experience and training
- Experience analyzing private equity, venture capital, private company valuations, real estate portfolios, and private foundations
- Experience in higher education, academic medicine, or a major medical research setting
- Familiarity with predictive modeling, wealth screening algorithms, and data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI
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.
