Prospect Development Advisor
Hillsdale, MI
Salary Not Available
Posted 5 months ago
Job Description
Position Information
Position Title
Prospect Development Advisor
Job Description
Summary
Hillsdale College is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Prospect Development Advisor to support our fundraising efforts through strategic prospect research, data analysis, and portfolio management. The Advisor will collaborate closely with the Executive Director and the Prospect Development team to enhance donor engagement, optimize prospect portfolios, and align fundraising strategies with Hillsdale College’s mission and values.
This pivotal role directly contributes to Hillsdale College’s commitment to academic excellence, the promotion of virtue, and the preservation of a classical liberal arts education. By providing actionable insights, comprehensive research, and data-driven strategies, the Advisor will empower our front-line fundraisers to effectively build long-term relationships with donors.
This position offers the flexibility of remote work. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker who thrives in a values-driven, collaborative environment. This position requires a distraction-free home workspace and a reliable internet connection. The Prospect Development Advisor will be expected to travel up to 20% for conferences, campus visits, and college events.
Responsibilities
Prospect Strategy & Portfolio Optimization
- Conduct proactive and reactive research on individuals, corporations, and foundations using tools such as iWave, WealthPoint, Target Analytics, LexisNexis, and Candid.
- Prepare detailed donor profiles assessing giving capacity, philanthropic interests, affiliations, and engagement history.
- Monitor news and activity related to high-level prospects and maintain accurate records in the College’s CRM (Blackbaud).
- Partner with development officers to support portfolio strategy, hygiene, and optimization.
- Lead portfolio reviews, track engagement and prospect stages, and recommend strategies to enhance donor movement.
Collaboration & Campaign Support
- Collaborate with development officers and leadership to support key campaigns, regional events, and donor initiatives.
- Serve as a strategic partner to frontline fundraisers and leadership by translating data and research into actionable fundraising strategy.
- Lead prospect identification and strategy recommendations for campaign planning, travel briefings, and solicitation preparation.
- Ensure research strategies align with Hillsdale’s mission and institutional goals.
Data & Metrics Analysis
- Develop dashboards and analytical models that inform prospect prioritization, portfolio health, and fundraising strategy
- Analyze prospect screening results and behavior patterns to prioritize outreach and inform strategies.
- Contribute to the development of performance metrics and analytics tools to evaluate team effectiveness.
Donor Relationship Management
- Provide research and insights to inform donor engagement strategies.
- Maintain and update biographical, financial, and relational information in the College’s database.
Training & Process Improvement
- Support the training of staff on research tools, ethical standards, and best practices in prospect development.
- Contribute to the refinement of internal processes, documentation, and team efficiency.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement and data-informed decision-making.
Special Projects & Additional Responsibilities
- Support special programs and projects as assigned.
- Perform other duties as required to contribute to the success of the fundraising and development teams.
- Maintain confidentiality and accuracy in handling sensitive donor and candidate information.
Required Qualifications
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Skills
- Proficiency with research tools such as iWave, Target Analytics, WealthPoint, Candid, and LexisNexis.
- Strong analytical skills and ability to synthesize large datasets
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, data modeling, and experience developing or using VBA/macros to automate analysis and workflows.
Core Competencies
- Strategic and analytical thinking with strong attention to detail.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and project management skills.
- Professionalism and discretion in handling sensitive data.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in both remote and in-person settings.
- Ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights for non-technical audiences.
Education & Experience
- Required: Bachelor’s degree.
- Preferred: at least 4 years of experience in prospect development, portfolio management, and donor analytics or equivalent.
- Preferred: Experience with Blackbaud CRM, Power BI, and in a higher education or nonprofit setting.
Other Skills
Personal Characteristics
- Strong belief in and alignment with Hillsdale College’s mission and values, including classical liberal arts education and moral virtue.
- Self-directed and proactive, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Collaborative team player who thrives in a mission-focused, high-performance environment.
- Adaptable and reliable in both independent and team-based work.
Code of Commitment
Be a good representative of Hillsdale College to promote the liberal arts, the College’s original Articles of Association and operating principles stated in the Staff Code of Commitment. The Mission Statement should be considered in all aspects of the position. The teaching of Christian faith shall remain a conspicuous aim of the College.
Physical Demands
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
S261P
Open Date
04/22/2026
Close Date
Open Until Filled
No
Special Instructions to Applicants
Hillsdale College
Organizations are welcome to recruit Hillsdale students on-site or virtually, at no charge, and with great flexibility. We pride ourselves on the personal relationships we build with our recruiting partners and look forward to working with you to meet your employment needs. Additionally, graduate and professional schools are also welcome to recruit on-campus or virtually.
Hillsdale, Michigan, USA
1.3K employees (153 in marketing)
Links
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