Project Manager, Prospect Development

About the Job

The University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF) advances the University’s mission by raising and managing philanthropic support from individuals and organizations. As a Prospect Research Project Manager, this position takes ownership of prospect research activities for key program areas to drive UMF’s development goals. In this role, the Project Manager leads complex research on top donors and prospects, analyzes strategic fundraising data, partners on high-priority development projects, and delivers actionable intelligence.

This position requires a collaborative problem-solver skilled in information management, strategy development, and project execution to support UMF’s mission-critical initiatives.

Responsibilities

Prospect Research (30%)

• Research individuals, corporations, and foundations, using a variety of databases, resources and search techniques.
• Conduct targeted data analysis on financial capacity, giving trends, and university affinity to produce actionable, detailed reports on prospective donors.
• Implement tailored research and reporting strategies across all prospect stages, including due diligence for university naming opportunities.

Prospect & Database Management (30%)

• Coordinate prospect management services, including portfolio development, pipeline tracking, data administration, and performance analysis.
• Maintain and apply prospect management policies and procedures; train development officers and staff on system functionality, workflows, and data best practices.
• Conduct database queries and strategic analysis to identify, evaluate, and prioritize top potential donors, with an emphasis on principal-level prospects.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date prospect records and analytics within the constituent database.

Customer Experience Management (20%)

• Serve as a Prospect Development partner to assigned collegiate units and UMF partners, proactively discovering ongoing needs and recommending research/pipeline strategies.
• Support the principal gifts program by employing customer relationship strategies, participating in strategy discussions, and delivering high-quality research products.
• Collaborate on Prospect Development briefing materials and partner with colleagues to ensure high-quality, timely deliverables for development leadership and the Office of the President.
• Engage development officers in proactive prospect identification and qualification, providing research-based insights regarding strategy, cultivation, and solicitation.

Project Management (10%)

• Serve a wide range of development stakeholders, including executive leadership, by managing complex, concurrent requests and delivering high quality, timely products in a fast-paced environment.
• Serve as a liaison between enterprise-wide departments and foundation leadership to align fundraising strategies, optimize donor pipelines, and advance development priorities.
• Sustain focus on priorities, produce expected results, and collaborate on providing consistent high-value deliverables for leadership and the Office of the President.

Other Duties (10%)

• Maintain and expand research knowledge through continuing education on new sources, search methods, and relevant information technologies.
• Develop project proposals, work plans, reports, or other written materials.
• Contribute to discussions around business strategy planning, goal setting, and best practices.
• Build strong work relationships, establish trust, and champion Prospect Development initiatives across UMF in an inclusive, supportive environment.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

*Maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive information and material in an ethical and professional manner.

Qualifications

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus at least two (2) years of experience in non-profit prospect research (preferably in higher education) or a closely related field (e.g., business, law, or library research).
• Demonstrated knowledge of prospect research methods, segmentation strategies, and search technologies (including online library/pay-subscription databases, public records, and web sources).
• Ability to work with complex data formats, advanced Excel, and fundraising database software products to drive prospect tracking, fundraising initiatives, and research deliverables.
• Solid understanding of the major gifts fundraising process and how data management directly supports fundraising strategies.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills, with a demonstrated ability to translate complex research findings and interact effectively with team members and leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize multi-deadline projects, solve operational problems using established procedures, and collaborate effectively in a fast-paced environment.

About the Department

At the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF), our mission is to connect passion with possibility, inspire generosity, and support greatness at the University of Minnesota by placing donors at the heart of everything we do and every decision we make. UMF is a nonprofit organization responsible for raising and managing gifts to the University of Minnesota.

For more information about UMF, please visit https://give.umn.edu/about/about-umf .

Pay and Benefits

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.