Research Analyst Jobs in Michigan

How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that are directly related to this position.

Please note:

• This position is not eligible for sponsorship
• This is a data, not a medical/computational position

Job Summary

The Development Research Analyst partners with a portfolio of assigned Michigan Medicine Office of Development gift teams to identify and meet prospect information needs. The Development Research Analyst gathers, analyzes, and summarizes information to support cultivation and solicitation of top prospects; these activities include bringing new individuals to the attention of appropriate fundraisers. The Development Research Analyst independently manages their own workload, assists the Director and the Assistant Director of Development Research, and contributes to the continued growth of the Prospect Development team.

The position requires on-site work three days per week at the Michigan Medicine Development offices.

Responsibilities*

Needs Assessment, Outreach, and Partnering (40%)

• Assume primary responsibility for assessing and meeting the prospect identification and information needs of a specifically assigned portfolio of Michigan Medicine Office of Development (MedDev) gift teams, enabling them to meet their fundraising goals. Initiate regular communications with these individuals, keeping abreast of their current fundraising initiatives. Support prospect strategizing as needed.

• Consult with development officers to determine feasibility of research requests and special projects. Negotiate project scopes and deadlines directly with liaised development officers.

• Establish and lead regular meetings with liaised development officer teams to maintain an active pipeline of requests and monitoring of progress towards individual and Michigan Medicine (MM) goals.

• Establish monitoring and seek feedback to ensure development officers receive appropriate support.

• Participate in projects to improve development officers' understanding and strategic use of development data. Examples include portfolio review and user education on modeling and wealth screening data.

• Engage with and educate development officers regarding the use of individual and executive data reporting and visualization dashboards.

• Be a resource to fundraisers to translate insights and trends into actionable fundraising strategies.

• Coordinate development of initiative policies and best practices related to data usage and pipeline development.

• Create greater visibility to development officers through onsite work three days per week.

  
  

Prospect Identification, Research, and Analysis (40%)

• Conduct reactive and proactive research. Be innovative in devising new ways to secure information of critical importance to the effective solicitation of significant constituents of Michigan Medicine (MM).

• Estimate donor gift capacity through the analysis of complex individual, corporate, and foundation financial and philanthropic information. Summarize information relevant to the timing of a gift.

• Identify possible areas of philanthropic interest and potential engagement with MM.

• Participate in projects to proactively identify and qualify segments of the University's various internal and external constituencies using data-driven wealth screening, data mining, and modeling projects. Bring the most promising opportunities for the University to the attention of appropriate colleagues.

• Write confidential research documents on individual, corporate, and foundation prospects for MM Development staff members and senior executive officers.

• Exercise appropriate initiative through troubleshooting and basic project design.

• Manage special projects as assigned.

• Submit completed research for data entry into the development central database and for electronic storage in the research optical imaging system.

• Synthesize complex data into key metrics and visualizations, including the creation of interactive geographic visualizations, to provide actionable insights for development officers and internal stakeholders.

• Provide expertise in research-related data cleanup and integration techniques that optimize fundraising strategies and decision-making across the development office.

Professional and Team Development (20%)

• Provide feedback to the Assistant Director of Development Research and Director regarding daily operations and provide suggestions for improvement as necessary.

• Take a proactive role in identifying new projects for the team and continually monitor department projects to identify new techniques for improving future deliverables.

• Independently plan, organize, coordinate, and handle multiple tasks and responsibilities, prioritizing and organizing work to accomplish departmental goals.

• Assume responsibility for meeting and maintaining the standards outlined in the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA) Skill Set in Prospect Research Fundamentals and Advanced Prospect Research.

• Assume responsibility for developing and maintaining expertise that enhances the Development Research team. Serve as an internal consultant on research and analysis related to one's area(s) of expertise. Lead periodic peer education sessions to promote professional development and collaboration.

• Work in a collaborative team environment, sharing knowledge and newly identified sources with the Development Research team, and leading or participating in group projects when necessary.

• Ensure the quality of department projects by assisting with peer editing and general quality control for information distributed through Development Research.

• Assist the Assistant Director of Development Research as needed. Examples include assigning last-minute requests to ensure timely response and partnering with coworkers outside the department to complete projects.

• Assist the Assistant Director in training and mentoring research analysts in research techniques and educating them about the department's policies and procedures, the field of prospect research, and the MM development community.

• Assist in evaluating resources and training opportunities.

• Provide written recommendations on Development Research policies, procedures, and needs upon request. Assist in documenting Development Research procedures as necessary.

• Always safeguard the confidentiality of donor information. Adhere to ethical and confidentiality guidelines of both UM and APRA.

• Participate at an appropriate level in professional associations such as APRA and CASE, both to increase knowledge and skills and to foster professional relationships with colleagues outside of Michigan Medicine and UM.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications*

• A bachelor's degree is required, preferably in Information Science or Humanities.
• At least three years of related work experience and at least two years of experience in prospect development or associated fundraising experience.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills and excellent written and oral communication skills, an aptitude for critical thinking and problem-solving; ability to work well under pressure and maintain flexibility.
• Highly developed scanning, skimming, and reading comprehension skills are essential, as well as superior ability to assess the relative value of, synthesize, and summarize relevant information into coherent, well-written documents.
• Commitment to professional ethics and confidentiality.
• Ability to interact with executive-level clients is essential.
• Ability to learn to navigate unfamiliar information systems and use a variety of computer applications with little or no guidance.
• Strong computing and online research skills, including proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite of products, relational database software, online databases, and the Internet.
• Reliable internet service.
• Three days per week of on-site work at the MM Office of Development offices.

Desired Qualifications*

• An advanced degree is desirable, preferably in Library or Information Science fields.
• Background in Development Research or an equivalent amount of relevant experience in an academic, nonprofit, or corporate setting is desired.
• Familiarity with the University organization, policies, and procedures is desirable.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Work Locations

The onsite location for this position is an office suite at the 777 Building. This provides free, on-site parking for staff.

The position requires on-site work three days per week at the Michigan Medicine Development offices.
This position works both onsite and remotely based on the business needs of the unit and may be eligible for flexible work opportunities at the discretion of the hiring department. Flexible work agreements are reviewed annually and are subject to change depending on the business needs of the hiring department throughout the course of employment.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled at any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

283158

Development Research Analyst

Research Development Asst Sr

Michigan Medicine - Ann Arbor

Hybrid

Full-Time

Regular

Exempt

Exec Vp Med Affairs

MM Development - Campaign

9/16/2026 - 9/30/2026

Development/Institutional Advancement