Job Summary:

The Advancement Research Officer is a strategic thought partner and critical contributor to the university’s fundraising success, responsible for identifying, researching, and analyzing corporate, foundation and individual prospects to support strategic University Advancement initiatives. Through both proactive and responsive research, the Advancement Research Officer delivers data-driven insight and actionable intelligence to deepen donor understanding, inform cultivation and solicitation strategies, and enhance philanthropic engagement across all giving levels.

This position plays a fundamental role in developing a robust pipeline of qualified prospects aligned with institutional, campaign and unit-based fundraising goals. The role builds strategic partnerships with frontline fundraisers in schools and colleges, corporate and foundation giving and central major gifts across the university to support complex giving strategies, proposal development and donor qualification using quantitative and qualitative research outputs.

Duties & Essential Job Functions:

1. Strategic Prospect Identification
• Designs and implements data-driven prospecting strategies using internal segmentation, behavioral indicators, and external datasets.
• Applies techniques such as predictive modeling, pattern recognition, and data mining to identify high-potential donors across corporations, foundations, and individuals.
• Leverages internal CRM data, external screenings, news monitoring, and discovery tools to proactively surface prospects for major, principal, and institutional giving opportunities.
2. Individual Prospect Research & Wealth Analysis
• Conducts comprehensive and comparative analysis of biographical, professional and philanthropic attributes of high-net-worth individuals using a wide range of tools (e.g., iWave, LexisNexis, SEC filings, public records).
• Assesses wealth capacity through analysis of real estate, securities, business ownership and compensation data; assigns and maintains gift capacity ratings.
• Analyzes giving patterns, engagement scores, and affinity indicators to support strategic outreach.
3. Research Product Development
• Creates clear, accurate, and timely research deliverables that integrate quantitative data and narrative context, including data visualizations, capacity models, and predictive indicators.
• Translates complex data into actionable insight for development officers, senior leadership, and cross-campus partners.
4. Information Management & Data Integrity
• Maintains and enriches prospect records within the University Advancement CRM (e.g., Blackbaud CRM) using structured data entry, taxonomies, and metadata standards.
• Audits, cleans, and enhances prospect data through routine validation protocols.
• Partners with Advancement Operations to support data integrity initiatives, resolve duplicate records, and continuously improve research documentation standards and processes.
• Supports system improvements by recommending enhancements based on research use cases and evolving data needs.
5. Strategic Intelligence Monitoring
• Monitors public filings, media sources, financial disclosures and philanthropic trend data using platforms such as Factiva, GrantStation and Foundation Directory Online.
• Distributes news alerts and trend summaries to University Advancement colleagues, supporting timely engagement and informed strategy.
• Uses natural language processing tools or Boolean search techniques to optimize information retrieval.
6. Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Acts as a technical advisor to fundraisers, helping interpret capacity data, research findings and behavioral insights to inform engagement strategies.
• Supports campaign planning and engagement strategies by providing research-driven recommendations, background materials, and insight briefings.
7. Professional Development & Innovation
• Maintains knowledge of industry tools, best practices, and emerging technologies (e.g., AI for prospecting, machine learning for capacity modeling) and ethical standards in advancement research through participation in training, conferences and professional associations.
• Shares knowledge with peers and contribute to a high-performance, innovation-oriented research culture.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree with some research-related course work or equivalent in experience.
• Two years’ experience in prospect research, development research, data analysis, or related roles

Preferred Education & Experience:

• Experience in prospect research, development research, or related roles within the higher education or nonprofit sector
• Experience with database maintenance and retrieval.
• Experience with relational CRM databases.
• Experience with Blackbaud products.
• Experience with financial and/or statistical analysis and understanding of financial sectors and marketing trends.

Required Licensure/Certification/Specialized Training:

• None

Preferred Licensure, Certification, and/or Specialized Training:

• None

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of fundraising processes.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word and Excel).
• Knowledge of fundraising research techniques, methodology and online resources.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, and to formulate productive partnerships with individuals and groups of all levels of University staff, particularly development officers, faculty and administration.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to learn navigation and data entry in a large, complex database (Blackbaud CRM).
• Ability to initiate and collaborate on projects.

TCU Core Competencies:

University Core Competencies definitions may be found on the Human Resources website and in the staff performance management system.

Physical Requirements (With or Without Accommodations):

• Visual acuity to read information from computer screens, forms and other printed materials and information.
• Able to speak (enunciate) clearly in conversation and general communication.
• Hearing ability for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone, telephone systems, and face-to-face interactions.
• Manual dexterity for typing, writing, standing and reaching, flexibility, body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling and prolonged sitting.
• Lifting and moving objects and equipment up to 10 lbs.

Work Environment:

• Work is indoors and sedentary and is subject to schedule changes and/or variable work hours.
• There are no harmful environmental conditions present for this job.
• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate.
• This role is an on campus, in-person position.

AA/EEO Statement:

As an AA/EEO employer, TCU recruits, hires, and promotes qualified persons in all job classifications without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ethnic origin, disability, genetic information, covered veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. 

About Texas Christian University

TCU is all about the experience. This is a place where students learn how to adapt to whatever the future might bring, develop critical thinking skills and expand their creativity. With a choice of rigorous academic programs in 130 undergraduate areas of study, 61 master’s level programs and 24 areas of doctoral study, Horned Frogs have opportunities to search for meaning and examine values, yet graduate well-prepared for professional accomplishment. Whether in the fine arts or business or engineering, Horned Frogs can develop their full creative potential here. For example, both MBA and undergraduate students at the Neeley School of Business benefit from an experience ranked at the top by Bloomberg Businessweek and U.S. News & World Report — not in spite of, but because of, the focus on the individual. At TCU, professors love being in the classroom. These mentoring teacher-scholars also conduct well-published, leading-edge research, often with undergraduates at their sides. Horned Frogs live, learn and play 24-7 in a 277-acre setting in a vibrant city. They work out in state-of-the-art recreation facilities, catch Big 12 NCAA athletic competition and participate in 200+ organizati...ons, all without leaving the campus. That’s when they’re not providing thousands of hours of volunteer service to their community, interning in New York or LA, practicing journalism in Washington, D.C., experiencing international business in China or perfecting Spanish in Seville. It’s how Horned Frogs are learning to change the world.

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