Director of Prospect Strategy & Research

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The Director of Prospect Strategy & Research provides leadership for the institution’s prospect strategy and research function in support of fundraising priorities and long-term pipeline development.

Building upon a strong foundation of prospect research expertise and fundraising support, the Director will help advance the organization’s prospect strategy capabilities by strengthening the integration of research, analytics, technology, relationship intelligence, and operational best practices.

The Director will lead efforts to develop scalable approaches to prospect identification, qualification, ratings, and prospect prioritization across a large and diverse alumni population. The role is responsible for ensuring that research resources are focused on the highest-value opportunities while leveraging technology, data, and process improvements to expand prospect coverage and support fundraising success.

Reporting to senior advancement leadership, the Director will oversee staff, establish operational priorities and service models, foster professional development, and partner closely with fundraising leadership, analytics, and advancement operations teams.

Key Responsibilities:

Prospect Strategy and Pipeline Development

• Provide leadership for prospect identification, qualification, ratings, screenings, and prospect prioritization efforts.
• Develop scalable approaches to prospect identification and prioritization that leverage research, analytics, constituent engagement data, screenings, and emerging technologies.
• Partner with fundraising leadership to support portfolio strategy, pipeline development, and fundraising planning.
• Support proactive prospecting efforts focused on strategic industries, alumni segments, affinity groups, and emerging opportunities.
• Establish frameworks that help ensure research resources are focused on the prospects and opportunities where strategic analysis adds the greatest value.
• Collaborate with advancement partners to identify opportunities to broaden prospect coverage and strengthen fundraising pipelines.

Research, Ratings, and Relationship Intelligence

• Oversee prospect research, ratings, screenings, and constituent intelligence activities.
• Support the continued development of relationship intelligence and network-based approaches to prospect strategy.
• Ensure research products are relevant, actionable, and aligned with fundraising priorities.
• Maintain quality standards and consistency across ratings, screenings, prospect identification, and research practices.
• Evaluate and refine methodologies used to assess prospect capacity, engagement, and philanthropic potential.

Operations, Technology, and Innovation

• Provide leadership for workflows, service models, and operational processes that support prospect strategy and research activities.
• Develop metrics, dashboards, and reporting that provide visibility into team activities, outcomes, and organizational impact.
• Evaluate opportunities to leverage automation, AI-enabled tools, screening resources, and other technologies to improve efficiency and expand prospect coverage.
• Partner with analytics and advancement operations teams to support data-informed decision making and prospect prioritization efforts.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, reduce administrative burden, and improve the deployment of research resources.

Staff Leadership and Development

• Recruit, manage, coach, and develop prospect strategy and research staff.
• Establish clear expectations, goals, and professional development opportunities.
• Support the documentation of methodologies, workflows, and best practices.
• Foster consistency in ratings, screenings, prospect identification, and research practices.
• Create an environment that encourages collaboration, continuous learning, innovation, and professional growth.
• Build trust and collaboration by being present on-site and engaging directly with colleagues and various constituents.
• This role is responsible for other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in prospect research, prospect development, fundraising strategy, advancement operations, or a related field required.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing staff.
• Strong understanding of major gift fundraising, prospect management, and prospect development principles.
• Experience working with prospect research tools, screening resources, and constituent data.
• Experience developing operational processes, metrics, and service delivery models.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and collaborate across teams.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

The following are preferred:

• Experience in higher education advancement.
• Experience supporting campaign planning and fundraising strategy initiatives.
• Experience integrating analytics, prospect scoring, or predictive models into prospect strategy efforts.
• Familiarity with relationship intelligence and network analysis methodologies.
• Experience implementing technology solutions, workflow enhancements, automation initiatives, or AI-enabled tools.
• Experience leading organizational change or process improvement efforts.

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal
• Other Information:

  • This is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of remote and onsite work at our Boston, MA based campus. HBS expects all staff to be onsite a minimum of 3 days per week and departments provide onsite coverage Monday – Friday. Specific hours and days onsite will be determined by business needs and are subject to change with appropriate advanced notice.

  • We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role.

  • A cover letter is required to be considered for this opportunity.

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Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 059. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.