Special Instructions to Applicants:
All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice:
Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary:
As a member of the development research and analysis team in the Development and Alumni Relations division, this position works closely with front-line fundraisers to broaden the University's prospect base and to maximize the University's philanthropic capacity. The Development Research Analyst collaborates with a wide variety of regional and school-based development officers to facilitate elevated engagement of prospects whose potential is maximized due to capacity or inclination. Using ethical and creative research techniques with a wide variety of biographical, organizational, and financial sources, the Development Research Analyst provides high-level description and analysis on alumni, parents, friends, and occasionally corporations and foundations.
 

The ideal candidate for this position exhibits a high degree of confidentiality, integrity, and professionalism and has experience in identifying prospects, researching their philanthropic capacity and intentions, and working with frontline fundraisers on portfolio assignment, prospect management, and cultivation strategies.

Workplace Requirements:
This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. This position currently has a hybrid work arrangement with a minimum of two days per week in the office. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change. 
*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime. 

Minimum Requirements: 

Bachelor’s Degree in a discipline that requires strong writing and communication skills, or requires the study of research techniques and information interpretation, such as liberal arts, library science, journalism, or business 1+ years of related professional experience in one or more of the following: Prospect research or other closely related field  Library, research, and analytical techniques, that includes having gathered, evaluated, and synthesized complex data from various sources and presented information in a clear and cohesive manner Leading business directories / research resources and general internet research 
Skills:  Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, data entry and reporting, online data processing, analytical and information management software, and data mining and data management tools / techniques Demonstrated experience with leading business directories / research resources and general internet research Strong analytical, research, interpretative, verbal and written communication, organizational and time management skills Must be detail / goal-oriented Ability to work with frequent interruptions and can prioritize a heavy workload Exhibits ability to maintain confidentiality, be creative, inquisitive, self-motivated, accurate, willing to take charge, follow through, and show behavior of professionalism and integrity

Preferences:

2+ years of related professional experience as described above Development experience; experience in higher education or at a research institution   Experience in identifying prospects with high potential capacity ($100,000 or more over five years) Experience supporting prospect engagement, including working with development officers to prepare research, communications, or analysis in support of engagement of prospects Experience working in collaboration with front-line development officers to maximize the potential of their portfolio or to develop cultivation or solicitation strategies for prospect households Knowledge of Houston-area philanthropists, foundations, and corporate community Proficiency with prospect research resources such as (but not limited to) Lexis-Nexis for Development Professionals, NOZA, Hoover's, Foundation Directory, Guidestar, etc.  Proficiency with development databases (e.g., Blackbaud CRM)  Experience providing training and guidance to fundraising colleagues on data entry into the development database

Essential Functions:

Conducts philanthropic analyses on current and potential donors and volunteers to the university Researches and writes profiles, using information from university records and publicly available / subscription resources on principal/major gift donors and other prospects to support the needs of front-line development officers, deans and other university leaders, both proactively and in response to specific requests Interprets and translates complex financial, legal and corporate language into easily comprehensible terms Extracts, synthesizes and communicates key information on stakeholders to support the information needs of the university’s constituent engagement and fundraising efforts Uses development database and prospect research tools to identify and segment prospects for assignment to appropriate fundraiser portfolios based on capacity, giving history, engagement history, and location Meets regularly with assigned front-line development officers to update / review portfolios and determine cultivation and solicitation strategies to maximize prospects’ potential Serves as a consultant for the development and alumni relations staff, providing expertise in data management and tracking, especially within the university’s alumni / donor CRM system Participates in surveys and benchmarking efforts Performs all other duties as assigned 

Additional Functions:

Assesses financial capacity, philanthropic tendencies, giving propensity, and connections of current and potential donors to Rice University  Communicates the results of research and analysis to front-line officers, making recommendations on the prospect's potential philanthropic impact on the University and how the prospect fits into the officer's portfolio Identifies new prospects for Rice University by uncovering them within our current prospect base or discovering philanthropists whose interests are closely related to the University's mission Maintains prospect biographical and prospect management information in Rice University’s advancement system, OwlConnect Monitors outside news sources for updates on known major gift prospects and for discovery of information that will lead to new prospects May occasionally manage a project, including setting priorities for other team members such as the Development Data Analyst Limited travel to attend conferences

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits-overview

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and the full inclusion of all qualified persons in the workplace. This commitment includes providing reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities. For applicants with disabilities who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.