Executive Director for Prospect Development and Advancement Intelligence

About this role

Turn data and intelligence into strategies that advance philanthropy at UB.

The Division of University Advancementseeks an innovative, strategic leader to serve as Executive Director for Prospect Development and Advancement Intelligence. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Advancement Operations, the Executive Director will lead UB’s comprehensive prospect development and business intelligence program, helping the university strengthen donor engagement, optimize fundraiser portfolios, develop a robust philanthropic pipeline, and achieve its long-term fundraising priorities.

As a trusted partner to advancement leadership, the Executive Director will lead a cross-functional team responsible for prospect research, prospect management, portfolio strategy, analytics, pipeline development, and constituent records. The successful candidate will transform complex data into actionable intelligence while fostering innovation, collaboration, service excellence, and data-informed decision-making throughout the division.

A Successful Candidate Will

Provide strategic leadership and direction for a high-performing team responsible for prospect research, analytics, prospect management, portfolio strategy, data intelligence, and constituent records. Lead university-wide prospect and portfolio strategy, establishing effective approaches to prospect identification, qualification, assignment, moves management, pipeline development, and portfolio optimization. Partner with advancement leaders and frontline fundraisers to establish fundraising goals, assess portfolio health, strengthen prospect movement, and improve fundraiser effectiveness. Advance the use of analytics and emerging technology by overseeing predictive modeling, donor segmentation, dashboards, performance reporting, artificial intelligence, and other tools that turn data into actionable insights. Guide prospect intelligence and philanthropic due diligence, ensuring the delivery of high-quality research, prospect profiles, briefing materials, wealth assessments, and capacity and affinity analyses. Champion data quality, governance, confidentiality, and ethical practice in collaboration with Application Services, Constituent Records, and other advancement partners. Serve as a trusted advisor and subject-matter expert, translating complex information and fundraising trends into clear recommendations that support institutional priorities and long-term philanthropic growth.

What We’re Looking For

A forward-thinking, collaborative leader who can connect prospect intelligence, analytics, technology, and fundraising strategy to produce meaningful results. The ideal candidate brings progressively responsible experience in prospect development, advancement analytics, fundraising strategy, advancement operations, or a related field, along with demonstrated supervisory and management experience.

Successful candidates will be skilled at managing high-performing teams, navigating complex information, communicating with organizational leaders, and developing trusted partnerships across a sophisticated advancement organization. Experience with predictive analytics, business intelligence tools, CRM data, dashboards, and platforms such as Salesforce, Tableau, or Power BI is especially relevant. A bachelor’s degree and at least five years of progressively responsible related experience are required.

Why UB Advancement

Join a mission-driven team advancing student success, groundbreaking research, and meaningful philanthropic impact at one of the nation’s leading public universities. Building on the momentum of the historic $1 billion Boldly Buffalo campaign, University Advancement is helping shape UB’s next chapter and supporting its ambition to become one of the nation’s top 25 public research universities.

If you’re seeking purposeful work, strong professional growth, and the opportunity to shape fundraising strategy through data, technology, and collaboration, you’ll find it here. Join a forward-thinking team connecting insight with action and philanthropic potential with transformative outcomes.

#AdvancingUB starts here.

Learn More About…

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About The University At Buffalo

The University at Buffalo (UB) #ubuffalo is one of America’s leading public research universities and a flagship of the State University of New York system, recognized for our excellence and our impact. UB is a premier, research-intensive public university dedicated to academic excellence. Our research, creative activity and people positively impact the world. Like the city we call home, UB is distinguished by a culture of resilient optimism, resourceful thinking and pragmatic dreaming that enables us to reach others every day. Visit our website to learn more about the University at Buffalo.

The University at Buffalo is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and, in keeping with our commitment, welcomes all to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.