About the University of Denver

The University of Denver (DU) is the oldest independent private university in the Rocky Mountain region, serving approximately 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students. DU is classified as an R1: Doctoral University, a designation recognizing the highest level of research activity among U.S. institutions.

At DU, we approach higher education with the confident optimism and pragmatic independence that define the Rocky Mountain West. It sets us apart. We’re preparing students to become the solutions in their own stories, empowering them to face uncertainty with confidence and uncommon sense.

We’re fiercely ambitious and forward-thinking, surpassing all expectations to redefine success and how to achieve it. As a top-tier private R-1 institution, we are dedicated to making the world a better place –contributing to our communities and making positive change in the world.

About DU Advancement

DU Advancement drives meaningful connections and partnerships to support DU’s mission of advancing the public good. By championing philanthropy, engaging alumni, and fostering collaborative initiatives, we empower innovation, inspire transformation, and showcase what DU can do to create positive change in the world.

This spirit is at the heart of The Denver Difference campaign. As DU’s most ambitious campaign yet, we are reimagining what the university experience can and should be. By preparing students for success in all aspects of life, DU is setting a new standard for higher education.

DU Advancement reflects the excellence and innovation of the university itself. Through alumni engagement, development, operations, and campaign leadership, we are fostering a culture of deep engagement and philanthropy to support our bold vision for the future.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Prospect Development, the Prospect Development Analyst plays a vital role in advancing fundraising efforts at DU by serving as a strategic partner to frontline fundraisers. This position identifies and assesses major gift prospects through in-depth research, proactive identification, and data analysis to expand and prioritize the donor pipeline. The role regularly manages and optimizes the prospect management system, maintains data integrity, and ensures timely, accurate deliverables by coordinating with internal stakeholders. The role regularly monitors and reports on fundraising activity for accuracy and alignment with Prospect Management Guidelines, while collaborating with fundraisers to provide actionable insights to support donor engagement, inform fundraising strategy, and drive prospects through the giving cycle.

Essential Functions

Prospect Research

• Conduct detailed research using public, proprietary, purchased, or leased databases, newspapers, published materials, and other resources to identify potential donors and funding sources, create donor profiles, travel lists, and other written material for internal and external clients.
• Analyze and interpret biographical, business, and financial information on individuals and/or corporations and foundations based on the University’s fundraising strategies and objectives.
• Provide timely qualitative and quantitative data and trend analysis that supports the strategic and tactical planning and operational effectiveness of key fundraising programs, including annual, major, and planned giving. Study internal and external data and utilizes data mining and predictive modeling software to help discover, analyze, classify, and strategically manage and grow the pool of prospects capable of making philanthropic contributions to the University.
• Research and populate CRM Database (PioSphere) with current information on prospect and donor careers, financial assets, interests, relationships, affiliations, and potential for philanthropic support.
• Analyze individual wealth indicators, including salary, stock, real estate, and other assets, to determine overall financial capacity and solicitation potential. This involves interpreting liquidity events and their relevance to solicitation strategies and timing, as well as providing internal wealth ratings.
• Monitor daily media alerts on assigned prospects and share information relevant to prospect strategies with fundraisers within liaison system.
• Maintain strong knowledge of DO’s programs, projects, personnel, and initiatives and leverage this information in the service of prospect identification and prospect analysis.

Prospect Management

• Partner with the Director of Prospect Development and other Prospect Development colleagues to facilitate regular portfolio consultation meetings with assigned fundraisers to review portfolios to achieve a high level of portfolio optimization, while providing strategic input to advance prospect strategies, increasing fundraising outcomes.
• Update the CRM Database (PioSphere) with current information on prospect and donor assignments, as well as proposal statuses.
• Regularly read contact reports for prospects relevant to assigned fundraisers and leverage information for input on assignment recommendations, stage changes, proposal updates, and other strategic information.
• Partner with Prospect Development Coordinator and Director of Prospect Development to conduct routine data audits and necessary clean-up of person, prospect, and pipeline data for quality control.

Partnerships & University Citizenship

• Provide training to development officers in designated units as needed.
• Serve as an active and collaborative partner to all central and unit-based advancement functions to foster strategic, effective, and collaborative fundraising practices.
• Model One DU leadership.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proven research and analytical techniques, emphasizing the ability to gather, evaluate, and synthesize data and information from various sources and present information clearly and cohesively.
• Knowledge of current trends in philanthropy, as well as advanced analytical and research skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to present information in formal and informal settings and impart understanding of complex ideas to others.
• Displays and demonstrates overall knowledge of prospect development, including prospect identification, research and management, as well as data analysis, querying, and reporting.
• Proven ability to deal with confidential matters with tact and sensitivity.
• Proven ability to prioritize and work independently, responsibly, and meet deadlines while managing competing priorities.
• Expertise in industry-standard sources of data; familiarity with databases such as LexisNexis for Development Professionals (LNDP), ResearchPoint, iWave, Foundation Directory, Rel-Sci, desired.
• Willingness to take initiative, keep a positive attitude, and maintain a professional demeanor.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience (Veterans with equivalent combination of military certification/education and experience may substitute for the degree qualification).
• 2 years of prospect development-related experience in a development, advancement services, fundraising, or nonprofit setting.
• Experience with Microsoft Office products, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in a related field, including history, library sciences, or other humanities or social science fields.
• Experience working in higher education, political, or similarly complex non-profit environment.
• Experience with CRM software.
• Active participation with Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA), Association for Advancement Services
• Professionals (AASP), Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) or other related professional organizations.

Working Environment

• Standard open office environment
• Noise level is quiet to moderate

Physical Activities

• Ability to use a computer for an extended period
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs. with assistance

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., some nights and weekends as required.  In accordance with the University’s flexible work policy, this position is eligible to be considered for partial remote work. Further details regarding this plan will be determined with the hiring manager and are dependent on the division and team specific needs.

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) December 1, 2025.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 9.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $60,000 - $65,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.