Description

Position: Advancement Prospect Manager/Researcher

Location: Remote, with occasional trips each year to Abilene as needed. Local candidates may apply for in-person or hybrid work.

Employment Type: Exempt, Full-Time

Why This Role Matters

At Abilene Christian University, advancement work fuels lives of purpose, leadership, and service around the world. As Prospect Manager, you’ll play a critical behind-the-scenes role in connecting the university’s mission with the people who make it possible—helping ensure that fundraising efforts are strategic, data-informed, and relationship-driven.

This position partners closely with gift officers, advancement leadership, and the President’s Office to guide donor strategy, strengthen fundraising pipelines, and support campaigns and special initiatives.

What You’ll Do

Shape Strong Fundraising Portfolios

• Lead portfolio management for major, principal, and leadership annual giving programs.
• Assign and balance prospect portfolios to support effective relationship management.
• Meet regularly with gift officers to review portfolios, assess performance, and refine strategies.
• Facilitate prospect management meetings with the major gift team every 4-6 weeks.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner, facilitating planning conversations with gift officers and campus leaders.

Build and Manage the Donor Pipeline

• Analyze wealth, giving history, and engagement data to inform prospect strategy and capacity ratings.
• Lead periodic wealth screening initiatives from audience selection through evaluation and reporting.
• Partner with the Prospect Researcher to move qualified prospects into active cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Monitor major and principal gift pipelines and review progress with advancement leadership

Support the President’s Engagement with Donors

• Work with advancement leaders and the President’s Office to prioritize prospects for presidential travel.
• Assist in managing and tracking the president’s donor portfolio.
• Participate in regular meetings with the president and staff to align strategy and stay informed

Contribute to Campaigns and Special Projects

• Lead prospect evaluation for campaigns, including planning pyramids and progress tracking.
• Research and vet potential candidates for the Governing Board.
• Provide timely research support for campus partners and leadership as needs arise.
• Collaborate with the Prospect Researcher to identify proactive research opportunities

What We’re Looking For

Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• A minimum of 3–5 years of experience in donor prospect management and research
• Strong understanding of prospect research and fundraising best practices
• Experience developing proactive strategies to identify major gift prospects
• Familiarity with prospect research tools, CRMs, and databases
• Higher education fundraising experience preferred
• Collaborative communicator who thrives in a team-oriented environment

Personal Qualities

• High level of discretion and professionalism with confidential information
• Organized, detail-oriented, and adaptable
• Curious, analytical, and motivated to learn
• Able to manage multiple priorities with confidence

Mission Fit

ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. This position requires the employee to be a professing Christian and to be willing to support the Christian mission of ACU.

Tools & Training

If you’re not already proficient, ACU will support training in the following areas:

• Prospect research fundamentals aligned with APRA skill sets
• Ellucian CRM Advance
• GiveCampus Gift Officer (GCGO)
• Advanced Excel
• Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, Calendar, Email)
• Online research tools such as Lexis Nexis, DonorSearch, Foundation Search, and emerging AI technologies

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Standard work schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Ability to work at a computer for extended periods (6–8 hours/day)
• Occasional lifting of up to 25–30 pounds
• Occasional optional evening or weekend event support

Benefits

• Health, dental and vision coverage available
• Company match of up to 8% of employee contributions to 403(b) retirement plan
• Tuition assistance program for employees and family members
• Read more about additional benefits and details at acu.edu/human-resources/benefits/