Director Of Prospect Research - Tulane University

Another Source's client, Tulane University , is recruiting a Director, Advancement Prospect Research to join their team in New Orleans, Louisian a i n a hybrid schedule - with three days in the office and two days remote.

This is an opportunity for an experienced prospect research professional who is ready to take on greater leadership and ownership. You may be an Assistant Director ready for the next step or a current Director looking for greater scale and the opportunity to build. More important than your current title is the experience behind it - Tulane is looking for someone who knows prospect research deeply, can develop and mentor a growing team, and is excited to help shape what a more proactive and strategic research function can become.

Here's a little about Tulane University and the position they are recruiting for:

Founded in 1834, Tulane University is a nationally recognized research institution deeply connected to the city of New Orleans and committed to creating meaningful impact locally and around the world. From its beginnings as a medical college addressing some of the region’s most urgent public health challenges, Tulane has built a longstanding tradition of research, innovation, education, and service.

Tulane’s connection to New Orleans is central to its identity, and an ambitious new initiative is bringing that connection to life in downtown New Orleans. As Tulane approaches the culmination of its $2 billion campaign, the University has added a $650 million initiative that includes the redevelopment of the historic Charity Hospital, an iconic 1920s Art Deco landmark that has stood vacant since Hurricane Katrina. The project will create new spaces for research, education, and collaboration while helping bring greater connection and a true campus identity to Tulane’s growing downtown presence.

For advancement professionals, this is an exciting time to join Tulane. Philanthropy is helping fuel major institutional priorities across research, education, innovation, and the New Orleans community. The Director of Advancement Prospect Research will play an important role in strengthening the prospect development strategy and insights that help connect donors with these priorities and advance Tulane’s mission.

About this role:

The Director of Prospect Research will be responsible for managing research deliverables and projects, directing prospect identification efforts, delegating research requests to ensure timely responses, coordinating training, ensuring compliance with ethical practices and data privacy laws, and providing strategic support for fundraising at all levels, with special focus on principal level strategy. Additionally, they will collaborate with the Executive Director of Prospect Development to set and monitor annual goals, working closely with the prospect management and analytics team to develop and implement the overall prospect development vision and strategic focus, enhancing the University’s fundraising success and pipeline development.

The Director will direct prospect identification efforts, develop research department deliverables, ensure compliance with ethical practices and data privacy laws, and provide strategic support for fundraising at all levels for the University. This role will manage projects, delegate tasks, ensure timely responses to service requests, and coordinate all training for the prospect research team.

How you will spend your time:

• Manage research deliverables and projects and direct prospect identification efforts.

• Delegate research requests to ensure timely responses and coordinate training for the prospect research team.

• Ensure compliance with ethical practices and data privacy laws.

• Provide strategic support for fundraising at all levels, with special focus on principal level strategy.

• Collaborate with the Executive Director of Prospect Development to set and monitor annual goals.

• Work closely with the prospect management and analytics team to develop and implement the overall prospect development vision and strategic focus.

• Develop research department deliverables and provide strategic support for fundraising at all levels for the University.

• Manage projects, delegate tasks, and ensure timely responses to service requests.

• Assist in the development, implementation, and maintenance of the overall prospect development strategy for the University.

• Serve as team leader and provide supervision to a team of research analysts.

• Meet regularly with researchers, individually and as a team, providing guidance and insight for their professional development and work product.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 5 years of experience in development research, prospect management, or prospect development in a higher education, healthcare, or complex non-profit environment.

• Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications may be considered.

• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills.

• Experience with data-driven research using industry-standard software, web-based tools, data management systems, social media, and other methodologies.

• Ability to manage multiple demands and projects simultaneously and meet strict deadlines.

• Strong problem-solving, project management, and organizational aptitude.

• Ability to work collaboratively and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

• Understanding of prospect management concepts, including complex analyses and identifying philanthropic patterns.

• Passion for excellent customer service and commitment to exceptional quality.

• Ability to inspire colleagues toward common objectives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Commitment to higher education values.

• Professional memberships in APRA, CASE, or AASP.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, charts, formulas).

• Experience with fundraising CRMs (preferably Salesforce) and data visualization tools.

• Ability to interpret and analyze complex financial statements.

• Experience leading large, complex projects with multiple tasks and competing deadlines.

• An ability to assist and advise in developing and implementing prospect research guidelines and procedures.

• Experience designing and implementing comprehensive data-mining and proactive prospect identification projects.

• Ability to initiate and lead projects to improve service to development officers and/or units.

• Experience researching, analyzing, and maintaining information on prospective donors using various electronic databases, publications, and online services.

What's in it for you:

Tulane University offers a comprehensive benefits and rewards package designed to support your health, financial well-being, professional growth, and work-life balance. Benefits and resources include:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage

• Retirement and financial savings programs

• Life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage

• Health and flexible spending account options

• Generous leave and time-off programs

• Tuition waiver opportunities

• Employee wellness programs, health incentives, and access to the Tulane Living Well Clinic

• Employee Assistance Program resources

• Professional and career development opportunities, including LinkedIn Learning and Tulane's talent development programs

Beyond the benefits package, joining Tulane means becoming part of a dynamic university community where your work can directly support the research, education, and philanthropic priorities that advance Tulane's impact in New Orleans and around the world.

Explore Tulane University's employee benefits:

Equal Opportunity & Accommodation Statement:

Tulane University is an equal opportunity educator and employer committed to providing an education and employment environment free of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Legally protected demographic classifications (such as a person’s race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, shared ancestry, disability, genetics, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws) are not relied upon as an eligibility, selection or participation criteria for Tulane’s employment or educational programs or activities.

Tulane University is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing an application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the Office of Human Resources by phone at View phone number on us.fitly.work or by email at View email address on us.fitly.work .

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications ( required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.

Application deadline: 10/28/2026