Director, Prospect Development

Months Per Year:
12

Work Model:
Hybrid Work Eligible

Seattle University will be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic universities in the world, educating with excellence at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. We embrace an intersectional framework for defining diversity in its broadest sense, including differences in gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, generational history, culture, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, political perspectives, geographic origin and physical ability. Seattle University strives to be a welcome, open and safe campus climate for all who learn, live and work at Seattle University.

Seattle University's Core Competencies

Effective Team Collaboration: Works harmoniously with others towards a common goal, leveraging individual strengths to achieve shared objectives.


Emotionally Intelligent Communication: Engages in a skillful exchange of information, thoughts, and feelings, verbally and non-verbally.

Ethics and Integrity: Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to honesty, professionalism, and alignment with our Jesuit mission in all actions and decisions.


Flexibility and Innovation: Embraces change, approaching problems with curiosity adaptability, and is committed to making a positive impact.


Mindful Inclusion: Fosters mindful inclusion by consciously creating a workplace that celebrates differences, embraces cultural humility, and empowers uniqueness.


Outcomes-Driven Orientation: Sets clear objectives, pursues excellence, and delivers measurable outcomes while upholding Jesuit Catholic values.


Position Description:
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Campaign Support

• Provide strategic direction for Seattle University's prospect identification and development program, ensuring alignment with institutional fundraising priorities and campaign goals.
• Partner with the Associate Vice President of Development and campaign leadership to design and maintain campaign infrastructure, including capacity tables, revenue projections, and tracking systems.
• Lead large-scale prospect strategy initiatives, including wealth screenings, affinity and peer analysis, relationship mapping, and predictive modeling.
• Advise University Advancement leadership and frontline fundraisers on prospect strategy, portfolio development, and interpretation of screening and modeling results.
• Identify emerging engagement opportunities and philanthropic risks through proactive data analysis and environmental scanning.

Prospect Identification & Portfolio Management

• Develop and implement a systematic, university-wide proactive prospect identification program to expand institutional fundraising capacity, with emphasis on major and planned gift prospects.
• Oversee the design, assignment, and prioritization of frontline fundraiser portfolios, including authority to recommend and manage prospect assignments in partnership with development leadership.
• Provide strategic oversight of the moves management system, ensuring consistent tracking, stage movement, and alignment with fundraising goals.
• Partner with frontline fundraisers to interpret portfolio analytics and refine engagement strategies for top prospects.

Research Operations & Analytics

• Manage the strategic objectives and daily operations of the prospect research function, ensuring delivery of timely, accurate, and actionable research products.
• Oversee Prospect Development Analysts in producing both proactive and reactive research aligned with cultivation strategy and fundraising stage.
• Integrate research, analytics, and relationship management processes to enhance fundraising effectiveness and client service.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies, vendor services, and external data sources that strengthen prospect intelligence capabilities.

Data Governance & Systems Collaboration

• Collaborate with Advancement Services leadership to ensure the integrity, accuracy, and consistency of prospect data within the donor database.
• Develop and implement auditing procedures to maintain high data quality standards related to ratings, assignments, contact reports, and solicitation tracking.
• Partner with Advancement Data and Systems colleagues to optimize database functionality, reporting tools, dashboards, and analytics platforms that support fundraising strategy.
• Ensure compliance with institutional data governance policies, privacy regulations, and ethical research standards.

Training & Institutional Capacity Building

• Develop and deliver training for University Advancement leadership, development officers, deans, and key volunteers on prospect strategy, portfolio management, research tools, and data interpretation.
• Provide onboarding and ongoing education for frontline fundraisers on screening utilization, ratings systems, moves management practices, and best practices in prospect development.
• Establish and document standardized operating procedures for prospect coding, research workflows, and portfolio management policies.
• Mentor and develop Prospect Development Analysts in advanced research methodologies, analytics, and emerging technologies.

Supervision & Team Leadership

• Directly supervise Prospect Development Analysts, setting strategic priorities, managing workflow, and aligning team objectives with institutional fundraising goals.
• Establish performance expectations, conduct evaluations, and support professional development planning for team members.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and service-oriented team culture that supports excellence in research and analytics.
• Manage research project scope, negotiate priorities, and allocate resources effectively to meet campaign and portfolio needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five or more years of progressive experience in prospect research, prospect development, or advancement analytics.
• Supervisory experience with demonstrated ability to lead and develop professional staff.
• Strong proficiency with relational databases and fundraising CRM systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in data analysis, reporting, and prospect modeling.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Strong understanding of fundraising principles, performance metrics, and philanthropic trends.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment consistent with Seattle University's mission and values.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Seven or more years of progressive experience in prospect development within a higher education or nonprofit advancement environment.
• Experience supporting comprehensive campaigns and major gift fundraising teams.
• Advanced knowledge of predictive modeling, wealth screening tools, and portfolio management strategy.
• Experience with Raiser's Edge or similar advancement CRM systems.

Application Instructions

Please attach a cover letter with your resume when applying. Job postings are open until filled, unless otherwise specified.


Compensation at a Glance

$100,000 - $110,000

Seattle University has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, and not based on a candidate's gender or any other protected status.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Seattle University provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your total compensation package.

Benefits at a Glance

Consistent with its fundamental Jesuit values, Seattle University offers a wide range of benefits designed to care for the whole person. Choose from three different medical plans, a dental, and vision insurance programs. Protect your income with life, short & long-term disability coverage. Plan for your future with up to a 10% employer contribution for retirement benefits, comprised of a 5% nonelective employer contribution and an additional dollar-for-dollar match of your voluntary contributions up to a maximum of 5%. You may also take advantage of 100% paid tuition benefits for the employee and dependents, a subsidized transportation benefit, a wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility, and a wide variety of campus events. Enjoy a generous holiday schedule, including a paid Holiday break closure in December, vacation and paid sick leave, and paid community service leave. For more information explore the Benefits website at:


Positions designated as hybrid eligible may offer the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule after successful completion of an introductory period of 3-6 months. In these cases, the role typically begins fully on campus to support onboarding and training, with the potential to transition to a hybrid arrangement thereafter.

Positions designated as on-site are not eligible for hybrid work and are expected to remain fully on campus.

All flexible work arrangements are subject to periodic review and may be modified or discontinued at any time at the university's discretion.