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Prospect Development Advisor in Hillsdale, Michigan at Hillsdale College

NewIndustry: Education / Teaching / AdministrationJob Function: Marketing
Hillsdale College
Hillsdale, Michigan, 49242, United States
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Job Description

Position Title: Prospect Development Advisor

Posting Number: S314P

Department: Institutional Advancement - Dept

Position Type: Staff
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 or hybrid 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 donor events.

Essential Job Functions

Prospect Research & Portfolio Management
  • Conduct proactive and reactive research on individuals, corporations, and foundations using tools such as iWave, WealthPoint, DonorScape, 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.
  • Provide 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
  • Use Blackbaud CRM, Excel, and Power BI to develop custom reports and dashboards that track donor trends and fundraising performance.
  • 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:
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.

Education & Experience
  • Required: Bachelor’s degree
  • Required: Minimum 4 years of experience in prospect development, portfolio management, and donor analytics
  • Preferred: Experience with Blackbaud CRM, Power BI, and in a higher education or nonprofit setting
Technical Skills
  • Proficiency with research tools such as iWave, DonorScape, WealthPoint, Candid, and LexisNexis.
  • Strong analytical skills and ability to synthesize large datasets
  • Experience with Excel and Power BI for reporting and data visualization
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




Other Skills:
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.

Open Date: 08/26/2026
Open Until Filled: No
Supplemental Questions:

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).



    Documents Needed To Apply (Required Documents & Optional Documents): Required Documents
    1. Resume
    2. Cover Letter
    Optional Documents

      Job Location

      Hillsdale, Michigan, 49242, United States

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