Prospect Research Analyst

Cornell University, a nationally ranked Ivy League institution, is looking for a Prospect Research Analyst to join the Alumni Affairs & Development division in Ithaca, NY.

This position plays a crucial role in supporting the university's fundraising efforts by providing in-depth research and strategic intelligence on prospective donors. Reporting to the Associate Director of Prospect Research, the Analyst will identify new major and principal gift prospects, analyze wealth indicators, and create comprehensive profiles to inform fundraising strategies. The role requires strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, investigative curiosity, financial acumen, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Research Analyst’s primary responsibilities include:

• Responding to strategic requests by gift officers, senior leadership, and other stakeholders throughout the division. This includes providing in-depth research of constituents (individuals, corporations, foundations), profiles, financial capacities, and other analyses that could influence strategy and inform decisions.

• Maintaining an expectation of excellence in both written and verbal communication, as well as a dedication to superior customer service, with an emphasis on relationship-building

• Use data analysis to identify potential donors out of alumni or non-affiliated prospects and provide names to gift officers to build portfolio pipelines.

• Proactively improving the accuracy and breadth of information available on the tracked population, focusing on capacity, assets, interests, and job changes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 2 to 4 years relevant experience or equivalent combination and familiarity with fundraising as a field.

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.

• Strong ethics and adherence to confidentiality requirements are necessary.

• The ability to find and quickly assimilate information about new or unknown industries in order to influence strategy or philanthropic capacity discussions.

• The ability to communicate professionally about confidential information with colleagues at all levels of the organization, as both a collaborator and a service provider.

• Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize multiple assignments in a fast-paced environment with minimal day-to-day supervision.

• Flexibility, intellectual curiosity, creativity, and attention to detail.

• Strong emphasis on prior research analysis experience specifically utilizing public records to conduct research.

• Prior prospect research or similar business experience (e.g. journalism, legal research, marketing libraries, and corporate intelligence), with a focus on sound knowledge of research methodologies and the ability to work with complex financial filings to create a picture of a prospect’s wealth

• Familiarity with relational databases, reporting tools, spreadsheets, charts, graphs, presentation software, and complex narrative documents.

Rewards and Benefits

Cornell receives national recognition, as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives. Benefits include:

• Comprehensive health care options

• Access to wellness programs

• Employee discounts with local and national retail brands

• Generous retirement contributions

• Leave provisions including three weeks of vacation and 12 holidays

• Impressive educational benefits including tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, Tuition Aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance program

• Learn more about benefit opportunities

This position is based in Ithaca, NY with hybrid work arrangements, which means 2 or 3 days in the office and the remainder working remotely from a commutable distance.

No Visa Sponsorship is available for this position.

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Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

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Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu.

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at equity@cornell.edu.

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing mycareer@cornell.edu.

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EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law. 

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.