Manager, Research & Prospect Analytics at McMaster University

Regular/Temporary Regular

Job Title Manager, Research & Prospect Analytics Job ID 73026

Location
Downtown Centre

Open Date 11/25/2025

Job Type Limited Term (>12 months)

Close Date 12/22/2025

Employee Group TMG Favorite Job

Department UA Advancement Campaign

Salary Grade/Band Band K

Salary Range $78910.00 - $118366.00 (annual)

Contract Duration 24.2 Months

Hours per Week 35

Posting Details

Schedule Monday to Friday
Education Level Degree in Data Analystics, Statistics, Mathematheics or related field
Career Level Management

Job Description

Should the successful applicant be a Unifor Unit 1 bargaining unit member, who meets the eligibility conditions of Article 19.02 of the Unifor Unit 1 Collective Agreement, then the Limited Term Assignment will be defined as a Career Growth Opportunity in accordance with Article 19 of the Unifor Local 5555 Unit 1 Collective Agreement.

University Advancement (UA) at McMaster University is an integrated department that encompasses the areas of Development, Alumni Engagement, Stewardship, and Advancement Services & Operations, working collaboratively with McMaster’s Faculties and units across campus to build relationships and resources on behalf of the University.

Advancement Services & Operations is a service-oriented and collaborative team that helps enable UA’s mission by providing high-quality, client-focused support and tools to all of our stakeholders in the areas of human resources; budgeting/finance; gift processing and biographical records; IT and systems; research and prospect analytics; and administration for the Office of the Vice-President. Within this team, the Research & Prospect Analytics unit plays a key role in designing, implementing, coordinating and managing prospect management, research, and data analytics in support of advancement operations across all programs.

We are seeking a talented Manager, Research & Prospect Analytics on our team to oversee prospect management within our systems/processes, identify and evaluate prospects for future support and engagement with McMaster, and provide research reports, briefings and data analytics in support of UA’s goals and priorities. The role supports fundraisers in their frontline work, provides strategic advice on donor pipeline development, portfolio management, and performance metrics, and coordinates the Clearance policy on behalf of UA.

Within UA:

Our vision is: Together, we enable McMaster to advance human and societal health and wellbeing.

Our mission is: Inspired by McMaster’s tradition of collaboration and innovation, we strengthen relationships, reputation and resources in pursuit of our goal to be the best.

UA’s approach to realizing our mission and vision reflects these core values and principles: Integrity, Quality, Respect, Service, Strategy and Teamwork.

Under the direction of the Director, Advancement Services & Operations, the Manager, Research & Prospect Analytics will be responsible for leading and implementing prospect research, management and analytics strategies, activities and related data management for University Advancement.

The Manager serves as a key partner to advancement staff both centrally and within Faculties and units, with a key focus on helping maintain a level of portfolio movement that will help fundraising staff to achieve their goals. The position ensures excellence in service to fundraisers in pipeline development and portfolio management, including training and communication. The Manager will be responsible for reviewing and preparing detailed analysis to support decision making relating to system refinements and best practices. The incumbent will collaborate closely with UA teams on institution-wide strategic initiatives and to develop and implement departmental and organizational policies and procedures related to prospect research, management and analytics, as well as donor clearance.

Strategic Leadership:

Optimize fundraising performance by working closely with fundraising staff to share qualified prospects for future support, prioritize prospect assignments, develop cultivation, solicitation and action plans for major gift and principal gift prospects. Maintain and oversee prospect strategies and manage portfolios to maintain a strong, healthy major gift pipeline.

Develop, implement, monitor and communicate prospect management strategies, policies and guidelines based on best practices to support overall fundraising goals and to expand the culture of collaboration with the UA Development team. Ensure a commitment to guidelines, methodologies and code of ethics statements as defined by APRA, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and other related associations.

Research Leadership:

Develop and execute a comprehensive prospective donor identification plan with a focus on major and principal-level funders.

Lead specialized research support and guidance for UA.

Oversee, assess, select, and implement key research materials, including liaising with vendors and negotiating contracts for key resources.

Synthesize research data and write a variety of documents and reports for senior University and advancement staff, faculty and volunteers.

Develop and maintain prospect screening plans. Formulate wealth indicators and financial summaries to assess the financial capacity of current or potential donors and supporters.

Undertake special projects related to research, which may involve researching and developing an understanding of new market technologies to enhance existing programs.

Data and Analytics Leadership:

Provide relationship management analytics, robust portfolio/proposal reviews, and focused insights on prospects. Collaborate with the leadership team in understanding, evaluating, and reporting on development staff performance, and opportunities to optimize the university’s fundraising capacity. Under general direction from fundraising leaders, develop tools and scorecards as appropriate that allow systemized data to be analyzed for the purposes of performance management for fundraising staff. Executes special projects and assist with strategic planning for development initiatives.

Initiate and manage projects related to the analysis of internal and external prospect and proposal data, and provide conclusions, recommendations, and information to inform data-driven decisions.

Working strategically with the Development (i.e. fundraising) teams, provide data/information to target the right individuals/organizations, for the right ask amount, for the right allocations, at the right time. Identify new opportunities (with a focus on new pledges and gifts, future gifts and other revenue) and flag any issues for senior leaders.

Ensure data integrity of all parts of the prospect management system (tracking, data entry, reporting, coding) by performing scheduled audits of the prospect information system and providing accurate prospect and prospect management reports on a timely and consistent basis and adapt systems and procedures to meet changing needs.

Operational Leadership:

Work with fundraising staff to ensure prospect management guidelines are followed and well understood. Review current prospect management processes to identify and implement opportunities (e.g., streamlining of clearance requests, renewals, etc.) to support frontline fundraisers in their focus on raising new revenue for the University.

Ensuring a balanced portfolio approach (i.e. a proper balance in different stages), not only for individual fundraisers but also for all fundraisers combined. Review portfolios and raise any issues with the senior Clearance Committee.

Collaborate with Advancement Services & Operations to maintain key, confidential database records, ensure accuracy of reports and requests, and develop data integrity standards and guidelines. Ensure coding of requests is managed according to best practice and is clear and straightforward for Development team members.

Plan, organize and execute regular prospect management meetings to discuss development strategies and solicitation progress. Produce statistical and/or financial reports.

Relationship Development:

Develop strong working relationships with key contacts and stakeholders within the internal and external community for the purpose of supporting the activities relating to moves management.

Support a donor-centred approach to continue to bring prospect management for different Faculties and units together.

Qualifications:

Education:

Minimum Requirement: Degree in Data Analytics, Statistics, Mathematics, or related field.

Preferred: Master's degree in Data Analytics, Statistics, Library & Information Science or related field.

Experience:

A minimum of 6 years of demonstrated experience in prospect research, prospect management, prospect analytics, and/or research management.

Experience with accountability for information management and data analytics using a large complex database.

Experience with donor strategy development, implementation, and evaluation professional experience in analytical, research, or information specialist role preferably in a higher education setting.

Experience in managing a staff of prospect researchers in support of fundraising and alumni relations activities

Minimum of four (4) years' experience in a leading role managing a team in a fundraising context. Management experience, preferably in a unionized environment.

Knowledge/Skills:

Demonstrated knowledge of all areas of prospect development, including research, prospect management, and analytics. Possesses an understanding of how these areas of the business work together to serve the needs of frontline fundraisers.

Demonstrated ability to translate between frontline fundraisers, data analysts, and technical personnel.

Must possess ability to contextualize business needs, evaluate and modify current practices and create solutions that work across the UA team.

Builds trust and appropriately uses influence to drive results.

Collaborative team player with demonstrated experience working in a matrixed, diverse environment.

Ability to build strong working relationships and contribute to a positive work environment by serving as a collegial, helpful, and approachable partner. Effectively and quickly builds trusting relationships and appropriately uses influence to drive results.

Proven experience in fundraising and relationship management systems (experience with McMaster’s current system, Ellucian Advance, would be an asset)

Experience must include prospect management/tracking, reporting and analysis, with research experience desirable, preferably in an academic environment.

Understanding of wide-range of fundraising programs and University priorities and ability to incorporate those into prospect management procedures.

Ability to keep pace with the high volume and variety of requests and projects flowing into and out of the department.

Superior computer skills including strong working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets and databases.

Proven training and coaching skills.

Demonstrated written and verbal communications skills including strong editing, spelling and grammar skills, as well as the ability to clearly communicate ideas and explain procedures.

Strong customer service orientation and the ability to interact with diverse audiences.

Demonstrated appreciation for and attention to detailed work.

Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to self-motivate and handle multiple and competing projects under minimal supervision.

Target Hire Date: January 19th, 2026

The salary band presents a minimum and a maximum range, please note that salary is based on level of experience, education and alignment with internal equity.

To review our total compensation, please visit: Total Rewards for TMG - Human Resources

How To Apply

To apply for this job, please submit your application online.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

• Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
• Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
• School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.

Hybrid Work Language

To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.

Interview Experience

At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to [email protected] or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.