Search Postings

Title: Associate Director, Prospect Research and Strategy
Division Name: University Advancement
Department: Advancement & Foundation Operations

Job Summary

This position is a key partner in developing strategies that inform cultivation and solicitation of major and principal gift prospects. Responsible for leading a comprehensive development research service for University Advancement, including managing prospect research initiatives identifying, acquiring, qualifying, rating, and tracking donors to determine capacity, interests, and likelihood to make philanthropic contributions. Independently uses resources to identify potential major gift support using creative research techniques, data analytics and electronic searching methodologies including qualifying, screening, and rating tools to ensure that fundraising initiatives have sufficient prospects to meet fundraising goals. Identifies new ways to secure the latest biographical and financial information of current and potential major gift donors from public resources and assisting in the maintenance of this information in the constituent donor database. In conjunction with the Director, facilitates prospect development and assignments, reviews all portfolios ensuring each Major Gift Officer has a balanced and viable collection of prospects, and analyzes team and division prospect trends and capacity. Assists with principal prospect research profiles and provide in-depth gift capacity analysis for the President and senior staff as needed. This position is an integral part of the development and execution of research policies and procedures requiring a solid knowledge of giving trends, data analytics, predictive modeling, and data mining to help drive fundraising strategies.

Additional Information

Prospect Development at Illinois State University is a part of Advancement Operations, one of four departments managed by University Advancement (UA). Prospect Development’s mission is to enhance Illinois State’s philanthropic endeavors by partnering with fundraisers to deliver timely information, moves management and data and prospect analysis. In doing so, we maximize the opportunity for private funding that benefits students, faculty, and the university’s strategic priorities.

University Benefit Highlights:

- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$65,000 - $67,000 annual

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree.
2. Three (3) years of significant and demonstrated professional level experience in prospect research, marketing/business research, higher education fundraising OR research, project management experience using information systems, or related field.
3. Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize work, think critically, and manage diverse and competing priorities while meeting deadlines.
4. Advanced ability in Microsoft Office.
5. Adhere to the highest ethical standards and standards of confidentiality.
6. A strong analytic background with proven data analysis skills.
7. Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with all staff.
8. Excellent organizational, communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.
9. Proven skills in documenting processes and training staff.
10. Ability to maintain a high level of poise and professionalism in all circumstances.
11. Demonstrated ability to take primary responsibility for diverse number of projects and to complete them in a timely manner with limited supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Comprehensive understanding of advancement operations as a functional area.
2. Experience with advancement database systems.
3. Experience with advanced prospect management work such as pipeline reviews and portfolio balancing.
4. Appreciation of the value of higher education.

Work Hours

Core work hours are 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday.

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:

1. Remain at a workstation for extended periods
2. Move about in various locations across campus as needed to complete day-to-day work.
3. Effectively communicate on a daily basis.

Proposed Starting Date

March 2026

Required Applicant Documents

Resume
Transcripts - See Special Instructions section for additional options

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Optional Applicant Documents

Certification of Retirement Annuity

Please Note: These documents may be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Please fully complete the entire application including, but not limited to, the education and work history portions. Be specific on your work history, including employment dates (if part-time you must list the number of work hours) and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Please do not put "see resume" in the duties and responsibilities section of the work history. This will be considered an incomplete application and incomplete applications will not be considered.

College or university transcripts (may be unofficial) must be submitted prior to the application deadline to receive full consideration. Transcripts can either be uploaded with your application or submitted via the options listed below.

To be eligible for Veteran's Preference points on the exam, appropriate military service documentation such as a DD-214 must be submitted prior to the application deadline.

Transcripts and/or military service documentation may be faxed or mailed to Human Resources by the application deadline:

Fax: 309.438.0011, Attn: Breanna Crippen
Address: Illinois State University
Human Resources
Campus Box 1300
Normal, IL 61790-1300

The Civil Service examination for this classification is based on your application materials and responses to the supplemental questions. No participation other than submission of applicant materials is required from applicants that qualify to take the exam. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score calculated based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register by exam score. After the application deadline, the names within the top three scores will be referred to the department for interview. The active register for this classification will be voided when the position is filled.

Illinois State University is authorized to do business within the State of Illinois. All work under this appointment is required to be performed from within the State of Illinois. If hired, out-of-state candidates must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days from the start date for this position. Illinois residency requires proof of a valid Illinois driver’s license or a valid State of Illinois ID card. Failure to produce the required documentation within 180 calendar days will result in immediate termination of employment.

Applicants for this position must be authorized to work in the U.S. without ISU sponsorship. Sponsorship for work authorization will not be considered for this position.

Contact Information for Applicants

Breanna Crippen
Human Resources
309-438-8315
bcplese@ilstu.edu 

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.