SENIOR PROSPECT DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
This is a hybrid position based out of the CIFAR office located in the MaRs Discovery building. Staff are required to be in the office three days a week, ensuring a balance of in-person collaboration and flexibility.
About CIFAR:
The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) is a globally influential research organization proudly based in Canada. We mobilize the world’s most brilliant people across disciplines and at all career stages to advance transformative knowledge and solve humanity’s biggest problems, together.
For more information please visit our website.
The Opportunity
The Senior Prospect Development Specialist is a strategic partner who transforms advancement data into actionable insights that drive fundraising success. Reporting to the Associate Director, Principal Gifts & Strategic Initiatives, this role leads prospect identification, pipeline development, and portfolio optimization to support data-driven fundraising strategies. The Specialist collaborates closely with fundraisers to deliver high-quality research, analytics, and best practices that strengthen major gift pipelines, deepen donor engagement, and maximize long-term revenue growth.
Key Responsibilities & Impact:
The Senior Prospect Development Specialist will play a pivotal role on the Advancement team, serving as the primary resource for analytical and strategic data, reporting, and research needs across the Advancement department.
- Acts as the primary Advancement lead for management of the donor database (CRM), establishing and executing data quality governance for accurate and timely entry of donor and prospect data.
- Transforms advancement data into meaningful insights that directly inform and strengthen fundraising strategies.
- Leads the identification, qualification, and development of a strong pipeline of major gift prospects across individuals, corporations, and foundations.
- Conducts in-depth prospect research and delivers comprehensive analytics to support data-driven fundraising decisions.
- Monitors and optimizes fundraiser portfolios, recommending best practices in prospect management and pipeline development.
- Partners closely with fundraisers to provide strategic intelligence that enhances donor engagement and long-term revenue growth.
- Implements portfolio strategies to strengthen pipelines, improve revenue forecasting, and track fundraiser activity.
- Provides data analysis and insights to guide prospect strategy, solicitation, cross-team fundraising, and key initiatives.
- Develops and maintains key metric dashboards and reports to track fundraising performance and pipeline health.
- Oversees targeted donor and prospect lists for communications, events, and recognition with high accuracy.
- Prepares concise research briefings, presentations, and reports to support donor strategy and Advancement leadership.
- Monitors media and sector trends to identify fundraising opportunities and advance prospect pipelines.
- Stays current on emerging technologies (e.g. leverage AI tools), prospect development, and philanthropy trends.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
About You
- University degree/college diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience, in a related field.
- At least 3-5 years of relevant experience in a fundraising operations, business analyst, or related research or data-focused role
- Exemplary analytical, project management and leadership skills for investigating data issues, managing complex projects, and advising colleagues on solutions
- Demonstrated experience in CRM administration and governance, including reporting, dashboard creation, and subscription management, specifically experience with Salesforce Non-Profit Software (NPSP)
- Proficiency with external prospect research tools (e.g., iWave/Kindsight, Charity Can, Grant Connect) and standard office software (Microsoft Office/Google Workspace)
- Experience within a non-profit organization or fundraising environment
- Strong written and interpersonal communication skills to synthesize complex data and recommend strategies across various internal and external stakeholders
What We Offer
At CIFAR, we strive to create a workplace where people feel supported, included, and able to do their best work. Our team members benefit from
- Comprehensive wellness and benefits - extended health coverage, mental health supports, a defined benefit pension, 4 weeks’ vacation, and “CIFAR Days” (days off with pay) throughout the year.
- Opportunities for learning and growth - supported by professional development resources.
- An inclusive, collaborative culture - grounded in our 4Cs (Collaboration, Curiosity, Courage, and Clarity), where diverse perspectives are valued and ideas are encouraged.
Apply:
Qualified applicants are invited to apply by December 31, 2025 with your Resume and Cover Letter. We appreciate your interest in this opportunity, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted via email.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
CIFAR is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We recognize that bringing together individuals from multiple backgrounds, perspectives and experiences is integral to advancing excellence and increasing the impact of our organization. Our leadership, staff and volunteers strive to create an equitable, diverse and inclusive workplace and, in turn, an environment that will give our diverse global community of researchers the support to successfully address the most important questions facing science and humanity. Ensuring that every person feels valued and welcome, regardless of age, education, sexual orientation, gender expression and identity, parental status/responsibility, immigration status, Indigenous status, religion, disability, language, race, place of origin, ethnicity, culture, socio-economic status, and other attributes is vital to achieving our mission. We strongly encourage applications from members of our society who face systemic barriers and biases, including, but not limited to, women, Indigenous persons, members of visible minority/racialized communities, 2SLGBTQ+ persons, members of marginalized gender identity communities, and persons with disabilities. Applicants may confidentially self-identify at the time of application.
ACCESSIBILITY FOR APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES - CIFAR is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment and selection process to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the Ontario Human Rights Code. To request a reasonable accommodation, please email hrteam@cifar.ca and include the term ‘Accessibility’ in the Subject Line, or call 416-971-4251. Please provide your name, preferred contact method, and a detailed description of the nature of any accommodation that you may require. Please include any materials or processes that may be used to ensure your equal participation.
CIFAR frequently communicates in both official languages and our preference is to hire employees who are fluent in both English and French where possible. Other languages are also considered an asset. For a French version of the job posting, please visit www.cifar.ca.
CIFAR is supported by the governments of Canada, Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec as well as international partner organizations, individuals, foundations, and corporations.