Director of Prospect Research

About the Opportunity

Director of Prospect Research

Reporting to the Sr. Director of Prospect Development, the Director of Prospect Research is a forward-thinking leader and innovator who is responsible for directing the prospect identification and research programs primarily in support of leadership, major and principal gift fundraising. The Director of Prospect Research champions the adoption of AI-powered tools, predictive analytics, and emerging technologies to transform how these programs identify and evaluate prospects. This position is a unique opportunity to reimagine how Northeastern identifies and engages philanthropic prospects through technology, data, and human insight.

The Director of Prospect Research serves as a leader for prospect identification and research teams and is responsible for execution of the determined strategic vision and proactive management of all prospect identification and research activities. The position provides direct day-to-day management of professional staff members in identification and research teams. In addition, the director ensures identification and research teams have the managerial support and resources required for all internal clients (i.e., gift officers) to have a consistent, high-value experience with identification and research and provide data-driven strategic intelligence, predictive insights, and actionable recommendations to inform decision-making across the Northeastern global network.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• Minimum of 7+ years of experience in prospect research/management experience

• Minimum of 3 years of management and supervision experience required.

• Comprehensive understanding of the development cycle, especially within the context of higher education fundraising.

• Expertise in the role of prospect research throughout the cycle and advanced proficiency in the competencies detailed by Apra’s Body of Knowledge.

• Superior creative and critical thinking skills, with the ability to understand both the big picture and fine details simultaneously.

• Proficiency in identifying, evaluating, and making data-informed strategic recommendations on possible solutions.

• Ability to delegate tasks while maintaining an appropriate level of oversight.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Ability to build strong working relationships with and secure buy-in from team, clients, leadership, and partners for new approaches.

• Demonstrated ability to succeed in a fast-paced work environment.

• Commitment to the highest standard of professional ethics, especially when working with sensitive/confidential information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education advancement

• Experience in formal project management, including deft handling of priorities and deadlines that may compete or shift.

• Knowledge of and ability to apply principles of ethics statements and policies as outlined by Apra and other related associations.

• Demonstrated experience with AI-powered research and productivity tools; comfort evaluating and piloting new technologies to improve team workflows and research quality.

• Experience implementing or using AI, predictive modeling, or advanced analytics to inform prospect identification and rating strategy.

• Experience working with a CRM/database (preferably Ascend); familiarity with AI-driven prospecting or wealth screening tools (e.g., iWave, DonorSearch AI) strongly preferred.

• Superior computer skills, including the Microsoft Office suite of products and internet research.

Key Responsibilities

Prospect Identification

• Develop and oversee execution of ongoing screening schedule for individual prospects.

• Develop and manage a best-in-class prospect identification team dedicated to delivering insights that improve fundraising outcomes, leveraging AI tools, predictive scoring, and data analytics to surface prospects with speed and accuracy.

• Serve as a leading expert on the nature, structure, and trajectory of wealth within the organization’s prospect base.

• Lead the team in growing and maintain knowledge of global industries and wealth sectors. Develop mechanisms to deliver this knowledge to gift officers in a useful and actionable manner.

• Using ascend and associated AI technologies, implement a flexible and reliable system to identify potential wealth in Northeastern’s prospect pool while continuously evaluating emerging technologies to enhance predictive accuracy and efficiency.

• Establish and implement metrics to evaluate prospect identification team’s contribution to overall fundraising outcomes.

Prospect Research

• Provide strategic direction to modernize and streamline business processes, including the integration of AI, automation, and data analytics to increase team capacity and research quality.

• Oversee creation of appropriate strategic research product and other materials for SVP and President

• Establish and implement metrics to evaluate prospect research team’s contribution to overall fundraising outcomes.

• Maximize the use of ascend for prospect research purposes. Champion a culture of continuous innovation by piloting, evaluating, and scaling AI-driven prospecting methods and workflow automation that address Northeastern University fundraising priorities.

• Evolve the prospect research liaison program, creating relationship with fundraising teams that lead to deep collaboration, the establishment and pursuit of shared objectives and mutual understanding of priorities and opportunities in the prospect pool.

Personnel & Project Management

• Mentor, coach, and lead prospect identification and research staff by fostering a culture of curiosity, innovation, and continuous learning that embraces agile practices and emerging technologies.

• Set annual and long-term activity goals and short-term operational plan for identification and research team.

• Manage employees by establishing annual performance goals and assessing annual performance.

Position Type

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.  

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type:

Expected Hiring Range:

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.