Prospect Development Associate

The University of St. Thomas invites qualified candidates to apply for a Prospect Development Associate position within University Advancement.

The University Advancement Team offices out of the Minneapolis Campus.  The person in this role will have the flexibility to work in a hybrid capacity, at least three days in-office on campus and two days remotely.  Work schedules will always be dictated by business needs.

The University of St. Thomas embraces belonging and equal opportunity for all. Our convictions of dignity, diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion an inclusive environment.  The University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO).  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, or other protected characteristic.  This commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity is consistent with our mission: Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good.  A successful candidate will possess a commitment to the ideals of this mission.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

The University of St. Thomas offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, which includes:

• Up to 100% tuition remission for employees and dependents upon eligibility
• Up to 50% tuition remission for spouses upon eligibility
• A generous Employer retirement contribution of 9.4% of annual salary upon eligibility
• Medical, dental, and vision options
• Employer-paid disability, life, and AD&D benefits

Salary Range: $53,000 - $61,000

The University of St. Thomas has provided a salary range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The specific salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of Prospect Management and Research, the Prospect Development Associate drives pipeline development by identifying, assessing, and prioritizing major, principal and planned giving prospects to support key fundraising priorities. This role conducts gap analyses, develops annual prospect identification plans, and refines processes to enhance prospect movement. Using industry best practices, they validate wealth screenings, analyze financial and philanthropic data, and provide informed portfolio recommendations. They also manage and enhance prospect tracking systems, ensuring automation, clarity, and efficiency in data processes while maintaining advancement databases. Additionally, they collaborate with the prospect management team to evaluate and assign prospects, establish new fundraiser portfolios, and support portfolio updates and proposal tracking.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1.     Pipeline Development: Lead strategic efforts to build, prioritize and refine pools of major, principal and planned giving prospects for colleges, schools, units and key fundraising priorities; manage infrastructure to systematically review, assess, and advance prospects through the pipeline; conduct ongoing gap analyses to align prospect identification with campaign goals; define annual prospect identification plans, set pool criteria, and assess outcomes to drive continuous process improvement.

2.     Prospect Research: Validate vendor wealth screenings and analyze and synthesize internal and external data sources to calculate prospect capacity ratings; using industry best practices and emerging research methodologies, assess financial wealth indicators, philanthropic interests and points of affinity for St. Thomas; provide informed recommendations of portfolio assignments.

3.     Database Management: Leverage, monitor and enhance pipeline development tracking systems, collaborating with Development Systems partners to continuously improve prospect review process; ensure automation, clarity and efficiency in data processes; conduct regular analysis and maintenance of prospect pools; serve as key user of advancement systems (Banner, Oracle, Salesforce); oversee student worker projects as needed.

4.     Prospect Management: Collaborate with prospect management team to identify, evaluate, and recommend prospects for assignment; establish new fundraiser portfolios; support portfolio updates and proposal tracking.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

• 3+ years of relevant work experience in an office or administrative setting

• Commitment to the mission and values of the University of St. Thomas

Transferable skills strongly encouraged to apply.

Preference for individuals with experience working in prospect research, prospect management, development or information field.

Knowledge of: 

• Online databases, internet search tools, and standard research platforms (e.g., Blackbaud ResearchPoint, iWave, Oracle)
• Relational databases, particularly Banner and Salesforce, with expertise in data management, retrieval and quality control
• MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Fundraising methodologies, capital campaigns, and high-net-worth philanthropy
• Financial principles and the importance of discretion, confidentiality and ethical sensitivity in prospect development

Skills:

• Strong analytical abilities to evaluate and synthesize complex data from multiple sources
• Effective project management, with the ability to prioritize, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly and concisely
• Proficiency in creating compelling presentations and reports

Abilities:

• Work independently while collaborating effectively within a team
• Think critically and creatively to recognize patterns, identify connections, and propose process improvements
• Exercise sound judgment, initiative, and proactive problem-solving
• Maintains and upholds the professional ethical standards set by the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA)

HOW TO APPLY

All interested candidates must apply online at https://www.stthomas.edu/jobs/. Follow the instructions to complete an online application which includes creating or updating an applicant profile, uploading a resume, and completing a job specific application.

In light of its commitment to create and maintain a safe learning and working environment, employment with the University of St. Thomas requires consent and successful completion of a background screening.

Official job posting is available at www.stthomas.edu/jobs.