Job Summary:

The Director of Advancement Research is responsible for providing leadership, and the strategic vision and planning for the University’s prospect research program. The Director ensures that all research efforts directly support fundraising and campaign goals through accurate, timely and actionable intelligence. This role manages both the daily operations and long-term strategy for prospect research, overseeing a professional team responsible for identifying, analyzing and qualifying prospects with the capacity for significant philanthropic support. The Director fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and ethical excellence, ensuring that research and data are leveraged to strengthen relationships with major and principal gift donors.

Duties & Essential Job Functions:

Leadership & Strategic Direction:
1. Manages a team of prospect research officers. Works with Prospect Development leadership to develop team goals and provides guidance and mentoring, including regular performance check ins.
2. Oversees evaluation, negotiation, purchase and renewal of research resources, publications and services.
3. Provides ongoing assessment of research methods, goals, and strategies. Keeps abreast of new practices in prospect research, analytics, data mining, and higher education philanthropy.
4. Establishes and maintains standards, policies and metrics to ensure timely, high-quality and strategic research outcomes.
5. Builds and sustains collaborative relationships with gift officers, senior leadership and campus partners to align research priorities with fundraising strategy and campaign goals.
6. Partners with the Senior Director of Prospect Development to create and implement the annual operational plan and budget for prospect research.

Prospect Research and Identification of Prospects:
7. Leads prospect identification initiatives that directly inform major and principal gift strategies.
8. Utilizes advanced tools and methodologies—including data mining, predictive modeling and relationship mapping—to surface new prospects and strengthen donor pipelines.
9. Conducts and oversees comprehensive analysis of biographical, philanthropic, professional and financial data to assess donor capacity and inclination.
10. Monitors prospect activity to identify emerging opportunities.

Data Management & Technology:
11. Maintains deep understanding of the university’s CRM and prospect management systems (e.g., Blackbaud CRM or equivalent), ensuring data accuracy and integrity.
12. Partners with Advancement Operations team to produce dashboards, visualizations and performance metrics related to the work of the prospect research team for internal stakeholders.
13. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• 5 years of experience in prospect research, fundraising analytics or a related field.
• Two years’ experience managing professional staff or leading a research team.

Preferred Education & Experience:

• Master's degree
• Demonstrated experience with relational databases (e.g., Blackbaud CRM, Salesforce, or similar) and research tools, including LexisNexis, iWave, or equivalent).

Required Licensure/Certification/Specialized Training:

• Proficiency in prospect research techniques and demonstrated experience with a variety of information resources and research tools including Lexis-Nexis, iWave, and similar platforms.

Preferred Licensure, Certification, and/or Specialized Training:

• None

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of philanthropic giving trends, major and principal gift fundraising practices and higher education advancement operations.
• Knowledge of relational CRM databases, data management principles and prospect research tools, as well as Microsoft Office applications (Word and Excel).
• Knowledge of wealth indicators, financial disclosures and fundraising research methodologies used to assess donor capacity.
• Skill in analytical and organizational techniques.
• Skill in leadership, staff development and performance management to foster a high-performing and collaborative team environment.
• Skill in written and verbal communication, ensuring clarity and professionalism in reports, presentations and stakeholder interactions.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams to achieve departmental and institutional goals.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality, accuracy and ethical standards in handling sensitive data and donor information.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-volume environment while maintaining attention to detail and quality.
• Ability to think critically to evaluate, interpret and synthesize complex information into actionable insights.

TCU Core Competencies:

University Core Competencies definitions may be found on the Human Resources website and in the staff performance management system.

Physical Requirements (With or Without Accommodations):

• Visual acuity to read information from computer screens, forms and other printed materials and information.
• Able to speak (enunciate) clearly in conversation and general communication.
• Hearing ability for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone, telephone systems, and face-to-face interactions.
• Manual dexterity for typing, writing, standing and reaching, flexibility, body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling and prolonged sitting.
• Lifting and moving objects and equipment up to 10 lbs.

Work Environment:

• Work is primarily indoors and sedentary and is subject to schedule changes and/or variable work hours.
• There are no harmful environmental conditions present for this job.
• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate.
• This is an on-campus, in-person position.

Employment Values Statement:

Texas Christian University values Integrity, Engagement, Community, and Excellence in the workplace. TCU treats applicants and employees with fairness and respect. TCU hires and promotes individuals based on their qualifications and their commitment to making a positive impact on our student-centered community. TCU is an equal opportunity employer and follows all applicable employment laws. TCU fairly considers all qualified individuals, ensuring we are a workplace free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. 

About Texas Christian University

TCU is all about the experience. This is a place where students learn how to adapt to whatever the future might bring, develop critical thinking skills and expand their creativity. With a choice of rigorous academic programs in 130 undergraduate areas of study, 61 master’s level programs and 24 areas of doctoral study, Horned Frogs have opportunities to search for meaning and examine values, yet graduate well-prepared for professional accomplishment. Whether in the fine arts or business or engineering, Horned Frogs can develop their full creative potential here. For example, both MBA and undergraduate students at the Neeley School of Business benefit from an experience ranked at the top by Bloomberg Businessweek and U.S. News & World Report — not in spite of, but because of, the focus on the individual. At TCU, professors love being in the classroom. These mentoring teacher-scholars also conduct well-published, leading-edge research, often with undergraduates at their sides. Horned Frogs live, learn and play 24-7 in a 277-acre setting in a vibrant city. They work out in state-of-the-art recreation facilities, catch Big 12 NCAA athletic competition and participate in 200+ organizati...ons, all without leaving the campus. That’s when they’re not providing thousands of hours of volunteer service to their community, interning in New York or LA, practicing journalism in Washington, D.C., experiencing international business in China or perfecting Spanish in Seville. It’s how Horned Frogs are learning to change the world.

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