Director of Prospect Development & Research (Administrator II)

San Diego State University is seeking a strategic and data-driven Director of Prospect Development and Research to lead the strategy and execution of prospect identification, research, and pipeline development within University Relations and Development (URAD).  Reporting to senior leadership, this role provides vision, direction, and oversight for building and strengthening the donor pipeline—supporting major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, and comprehensive campaign initiatives.

• →Strategic Leadership & Program Management
  • →Oversee the development and execution of a comprehensive prospect development and research strategy aligned with fundraising priorities.
  • →Design and implement proactive approaches to identify, evaluate, and grow a pipeline of major gift prospects.
  • →Establish and enhance policies, systems, and workflows to support effective prospect identification, tracking, and engagement.
• →Team Leadership & Development
  • →Provide day-to-day guidance and prioritization for prospect research staff to ensure timely, high-quality deliverables.
  • →Foster a collaborative, service-oriented approach to working with development staff and campus partners.
  • →Provide training and guidance to development staff on research tools, methodologies, and prospect management practices.
• →Data Strategy, Analytics & Innovation
  • →Leverage data modeling, data mining, and wealth screening tools to inform fundraising strategy and decision-making.
  • →Oversee prospect research systems, dashboards, and emerging technologies, including AI-driven tools.
  • →Evaluate and implement new tools, platforms, and best practices to enhance efficiency and impact.
• →Prospect Research & Pipeline Development
  • →Direct in-depth research and analysis on prospective donors, producing high-quality profiles and insights.
  • →Partner with development officers to inform prospect strategies, engagement approaches, and solicitation planning.
  • →Lead prospect screening initiatives and manage relationships with external data and research vendors.
• →Prospect Management & Collaboration
  • →Oversee systems for prospect assignment, tracking, and clearance to support coordinated fundraising efforts.
  • →Collaborate with campus partners, advancement teams, and senior leadership to align strategy and execution.
  • →Prepare and deliver high-level briefings for executive leadership, including the President and Vice President.

• This is a full-time, at-will role, offering comprehensive benefits.
• Position is designated exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs. (Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required to support events or operational needs. Ability to travel and attend off-campus appointments and events, with knowledge of major gift practices preferred.)
• This position is eligible for telecommuting up to 4 days per week, following a training period during which on-site presence is required.

University Relations and Development (URAD) shares the university’s vision and mission underscored in the 2020 five-year strategic plan. The plan identifies five strategic priorities including: Becoming a Premier Public Research University: A New Kind of Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI); Resilience. Designed to Thrive; We Are SDSU; Equity and Inclusion in Everything We Do; and Students at Our Core.

Units of URAD work together to create enduring relationships with alumni, parents, donors, students and the community to generate private support for SDSU students, faculty and a diverse number of programs. URAD handles a range of services encompassing stewardship, events, gift administration, communications and more.  The departments of Development, SDSU Alumni, Planned and Annual Giving, Special Events and Donor Relations, Marketing and Communications, Financial Management, Data Management, Prospect Research and Management and Operations are making a tangible difference in the lives of more than 40,000 students.

Our fundraising success can be credited to the university’s goal of building a world-class university campus, research center, and multi-use stadium in Mission Valley to serve higher education, the public good, and the community’s goals and aspirations.

SDSU has been recognized several times for its exceptional development program by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). With the support of loyal donors and in collaboration with SDSU’s visionary faculty and staff, the university cultivates lifelong relationships with more than 500,000 alumni, friends, and community members—advancing SDSU’s mission for generations to come.

For more information regarding the Prospect Research and Management Department within University Relations and Development, click here.

Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of experience in the development research field. Required experience includes working in data analytics or in collaboration with a data analytics team, as well as experience with relational and online databases, web-based applications, and development database systems. Candidates must also have experience utilizing wealth screening data and implementing related action plans, along with demonstrated experience designing and producing comprehensive research reports.

• Demonstrated knowledge of research techniques and tools and a high level of proficiency in proactive prospecting methodology.
• Commitment to philanthropy and higher education.
• Commitment to confidentiality and professionalism to handle confidential information with discretion
• Knowledge of major gift practices.
• Ability to travel and attend off-campus appointments and events.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Meets the highest level of competency in the APRA Body of Knowledge for Prospect Research and Relationship Management.
  • Experience with AlumniFinder, Blackbaud Research Point, and Ellucian Advance
  • Experience at an institution of higher learning/higher education.
  • Comprehensive campaign experience.
  • Experience in training/teaching adult learners.
  • Experience with statistical analysis.

Valid California Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire.

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.  Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment.  We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university. 

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another. 

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. SDSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices. 

SDSU is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

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