Senior Analyst, Research

Alumni Relations & Development

This role conducts biographical and financial research on individuals, corporations, and / or foundations to support fundraising. Identifies prospective donors using research and analysis through use of standard procedures. Forecasts and measures the effectiveness of the fiscal year and overall campaign progress, which will help employees in the job acquire higher-level knowledge and skills.

Responsibilities include :

• Works closely with gift officers to provide tailored research and insights that support individual fundraising strategies and enhance donor engagement.
• Reviews prospect data and provide strategic recommendations based upon additional context or research to enhance engagement and drive results.
• Partners with the Prospect Development teams to understand portfolio and institutional pipeline needs, ensuring optimal allocation and management of prospects and information.
• Studies economic and philanthropic trends to understand their impact on fundraising strategies and provides actionable insights to the organization.
• Stays informed about University of Chicago priorities, faculty, news, and initiatives, using this knowledge to inform and improve fundraising strategies.
• Offers strategic recommendations based on research findings to help gift officers and leadership make informed decisions.
• Keeps abreast of changes and trends in the philanthropic landscape to anticipate potential opportunities and challenges for the organization.
• Ensures the accuracy and completeness of prospect data, continuously updating and refining information to support effective research.
• Develops systems to prepare and automate detailed briefing materials for meetings with specific donors, prospects, and key stakeholders.
• Assists in identifying and mitigating reputational risks associated with fundraising activities.
• Applies predictive analytics and other advanced methodologies to identify new prospects and enhance existing prospect strategies.
• Performs in-depth research on philanthropic trends, major gift prospects, and potential funding opportunities.
• Provides personalized research support to individual gift officers, helping them understand donor motivations and develop effective engagement strategies.
• Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance including attending webinars, seminars, building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.
• Develops, maintains, and updates information on new and existing prospects, solving problems as they arise.
• Works with prospect management University-wide to design and execute strategies to grow the size of the prospect pool with a moderate level of guidance and direction.
• May provide guidance to analysts, train staff members on fundraising, report writing, and research.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum qualifications include a college or university degree in a related field and 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline. Preferred qualifications include coursework in project management, business, finance, economics, analytics, library and information science, or non-profit management, and a minimum of two years of work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales or similar professional field.

Preferred competencies include outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively, self-motivation, the ability to manage confidential information with discretion and tact, integrity, professionalism, and the ability to work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.

This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in office presence, and may require travel to campus and / or non-campus locations for University business. Work evenings and weekends may be required.

Application documents required include a resume / CV and a cover letter addressed to the hiring committee.