Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Advancement Research and Prospect Management, the Advancement Research Analyst is an integral member of the Advancement and Campaign Operations team in University Advancement. Conducting complex, in-depth, proactive and independent investigation using a variety of resources, the Advancement Research Analyst is responsible for identifying, researching and analyzing prospects for major gift cultivation and solicitation. Prospect research and analysis serves as the foundation of fundraising at San Jose State University and directly contributes to the success of the university's fundraising efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and execute strategies to identify major gift sources
• Recommend cultivation and solicitation strategies in consultation with development officers
• Gather, analyze, and assess information from local, national, and international resources, including financial and philanthropy reports, references (both printed and electronic), and university files
• Utilize quantitative criteria (income, assets, giving patterns, etc.) and job position to evaluate prospects' ability, propensity, and potential to give
• Produce high-quality, written bios and briefings with analysis and insight on donors and prospects, using style, grammar, and content appropriate to the specific audience
• Interpret and translate complex financial, legal, and corporate language into easily comprehensible terms while adhering to standards of discretion and confidentiality
• Verify, confirm, and edit prospect assets and ratings from wealth screenings
• Maintain research data in Advance and/or Raiser’s Edge NXT
• Research and test new research resources and analyze the efficiency and validate the accuracy of current research resources
• Identify and locate alumni from old files not currently in Advance and/or Raiser’s Edge NXT
• Run and distribute development officers' portfolios and/or proposal tracking reports on a quarterly or as-needed basis
• Stay updated on executive-level alumni employment and changes using lead folders and alerts in LinkedIn Sales Navigator and/or Live Alumni
• Review newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals to collect and share timely information on existing and potential donors; access the automated system to enter and update internal donor/prospect records as needed and share the information with the appropriate development officer
• Participate in and contribute to the formulation of policies related to advancement research, prospect management, and related infrastructure support activities
• Stay abreast of developments in the research field by attending conferences, training sessions, and online learning opportunities, and subscribing to relevant listservs and blogs
• Contribute to database integrity by ensuring that donor and prospect information is current
• Run data reports as requested by the Director of Advancement Research and Prospect Management for development officers and staff
• Assist in developing standard and custom reports for distribution to development officers and staff
• Assist in training end users on the Advance and/or Raiser’s Edge NXT databases
• Assist in developing and maintaining training documentation
• Serve on committees as assigned by the Director of Advancement Research and Prospect Management

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner
• Thorough knowledge of methods, procedures and practices; English grammar, business writing, punctuation and spelling
• Excellent research and analytical skills
• Thorough attention to detail and follow through
• Demonstrated ability to think critically and analytically in order to initiate and perform complex analysis
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and synthesize data from a wide variety of sources and present the resulting information in a clear, concise summary
• Demonstrated skill in information retrieval capabilities and protocols
• Demonstrated skill in using multiple electronic resources such as Blackbaud’s Target Analytics’ Research Point, Lexis Nexis for Development Professionals, iWave’s PRO (Prospect Research Online), and other free and fee-based sources to locate and compile business and biographic information
• Strong problem-solving skills and demonstrated ability to work under pressure
• Knowledge of current trends in philanthropy and higher education
• Knowledge of philosophical and practical bases of institutional advancement research methods
• Knowledge of datamining techniques used to generate prospect lists
• Working knowledge of terminology and resources specific to fundraising
• Working familiarity with donor databases, particularly Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge NXT
• Ability to perform accurately in a detail-oriented environment
• Ability to recall, recognize and communicate interrelated information pertaining to university benefactors and prospects
• Ability to organize, manage and complete a diverse range of assignments and projects with high efficiency
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately and with discretion
• Ability to quickly learn and apply a variety of state, federal, CSU, and SJSU policies and procedures
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• General fundraising skills, including proficiency at supporting and participating in prospect management
• Competent computer skills including Google Workspace and Microsoft Office especially Excel and PowerPoint

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree and/or equivalent training
• Four years of administrative work experience involving study, analysis, and/or evaluation leading to the development or improvement of administrative policies, procedures, practices, or programs

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree
• Experience in an academic or non-profit environment 
• Raiser’s Edge NXT or similar donor database experience
• At least two years of experience in prospect research, development, library research or related field

Compensation

Classification: Administrative Analyst/Specialist – Exempt II
Anticipated Hiring Range: $7,000/month - $7,400/month
CSU Salary Range: $5,537/month - $10,014/month

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: April 7, 2025 through April 21, 2025. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

University Personnel
jobs@sjsu.edu
408-924-2252

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification: 

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.