Senior Global Prospect Research Analyst

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23453

• Salary Range: $60,625.00 - $75,782.00 Salary/year
• Position Type: Full Time
• Job Shift: Day
• Education Level: 4 Year Degree
• Travel Percentage: Up to 25%
• Category: Fundraising

Role: Senior Analyst, Global Prospect Research

Department: Strategy & Partnerships

Location: Remote, United States.

Travel: This role requires travel once per quarter

General Description:

The Senior Analyst, Global Prospect Research will facilitate Operation Smile’s efforts to identify, evaluate, and prioritize prospective funders globally by surfacing individuals, foundations, corporations, and institutions who have both the capacity and interest in supporting our work. This position is part of the Global Partnership Services team, which delivers shared services to help maximize fundraising revenue across all markets.

The Analyst will support fundraising teams across Operation Smile’s global network, providing prospect research services to both partner countries and global fundraising teams, striving to link strategic funder interests and trends to Operation Smile’s key priorities. Through strategic prospect research and donor intelligence, the Analyst will help identify funding opportunities and deliver actionable insights that enable targeted engagement and stronger decision-making.

The Senior Analyst, Global Prospect Research will play a pivotal role in connecting global generosity with lifesaving care. They will help expand Operation Smile’s reach to new supporters, deepen our understanding of emerging opportunities, and equip global fundraising teams to build transformative partnerships. This is a high-impact position for someone who is motivated by purpose and energized by transforming complex information into actionable fundraising insights.

Essential Functions:

1. Prospect Research & Philanthropic Landscape Analysis

• Dedicate approximately 50% of work to supporting Operation Smile’s international partner countries with prospect research on prospective funders (HNWIs, family offices, foundations, corporations, multilaterals, and government agencies) to assess capacity, giving interests, philanthropic history, networks, and alignment with Operation Smile’s work.
• Dedicate approximately 50% of work to supporting Operation Smile’s United States-based fundraising teams with prospect research on prospective funders (primarily foundations and corporations) to assess capacity, giving interests, philanthropic history, networks, and alignment with Operation Smile’s work.
• Deliver thorough, insightful research products including narrative-style prospect profiles, targeted prospect lists, and relationship analyses.
• Analyze public sources, proprietary databases (e.g., LexisNexis, RelSci, Foundation Directory), and internal systems to develop robust, actionable insights.
• Work with fundraising teams to clarify research questions, determine the appropriate scope and depth of research, and prioritize requests.

2. Global Fundraising Support & Collaboration

• Serve as a thought partner to teams across Operation Smile’s global network, helping identify, prioritize, and better understand prospective funders.
• Identify areas for cross-team philanthropic collaboration and act as an information conduit for fundraising teams, including helping teams recognize shared prospects and blended giving opportunities.
• Build effective working relationships with colleagues across cultures, countries, and time zones, adapting research support and communication to reflect different types of fundraising needs and priorities.

3. Research Infrastructure & Oversight

• Collaborate with other members of the prospect research team to select and deploy centralized tools (e.g., prospect tracking systems, due diligence logs, research intake workflows, document libraries) to support scalable service delivery and help teams understand their local fundraising landscapes.
• Support the exploration and implementation of AI-driven tools and other technologies to automate workflows for research and other fundraising activities.
• Work with external providers and internal systems to develop visualizations and dynamic maps of global fundraising opportunities and funder alignment.
• Maintain knowledge of emerging research tools and practices, including representing Operation Smile in professional networks, such as Apra and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

4. Due Diligence & Risk Management

• Conduct reputational, ethical, and compliance-focused research to inform risk assessments of potential funders, particularly corporations and high-net-worth individuals.
• Work with Finance and other stakeholders to ensure global due diligence practices align with organizational values, donor policies, and regional regulations.

5. Systems Management

• Help develop, refine, and maintain standard operating procedures, templates, taxonomies, and other tools that help support consistent prospect research and donor intelligence across the organization.
• Collaborate with other team members to strengthen workflows, improve service delivery, reduce duplication, and support a consistent experience for partner countries and global fundraising teams.
• Contribute to knowledge management and shared learning by documenting practices and maintaining shared resources.
• Facilitate opportunity matching process – assessing and linking program priorities and funding needs with potential donor interests and philanthropic landscape trends

Qualifications

Required:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in prospect research, donor intelligence, fundraising operations, or related roles in a nonprofit, academic, or philanthropic setting.
• Deep experience researching a wide range of funder types (HNWIs, foundations, corporations, institutional funders).
• Proven ability to synthesize complex data into clear, concise, and strategic insights, including through written reports (both technical and summary reports) as well as via compelling presentations and visualizations.
• Experience with research tools such as iWave, Wealth-X, Foundation Directory, LexisNexis, or RelSci.
• Excellent written communication, analytical thinking, and organizational skills.
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work with multiple stakeholders across global time zones.
• Fluent written and spoken English language.

Preferred:

• Experience in a federated or international nonprofit organization.
• Understanding of international development, global health, and philanthropic funding trends.
• Familiarity with GDPR and ethical standards in prospect research.
• Multilingual skills or cultural fluency is a plus.

Key Competencies:

Data Analysis & Interpretation - Strong capability to analyze large data sets, extract key insights, and identify patterns that inform decision-making.

Process Orientation & Continuous Improvement – Continuously applies and evaluates existing processes to identify inefficiencies, gaps, or risks. Leverages data, feedback, and best practices to recommend and implement improvements that enhance productivity, reduce costs, and drive operational excellence. Encourages innovation and collaboration to create more effective and scalable workflows.

Technological Acumen - Demonstrates a strong understanding of current and emerging technologies and their application to business needs. Quickly adapts to new tools, systems, and digital solutions, leveraging technology to improve efficiency, enhance decision-making, and drive innovation. Anticipates technological trends and integrates them strategically to create value and maintain a competitive edge.

Confidentiality & Ethical Standards - Consistently demonstrates integrity and discretion in handling sensitive information. Protects confidential data, respects privacy, and upholds the highest ethical standards in all interactions and decisions. Acts as a trusted steward of information and models ethical behavior that aligns with organizational values and professional responsibilities.

Relationship Building - Developing and nurturing positive, long-term relationships with key stakeholders by understanding their needs, providing excellent service, building trust, and consistently delivering value.

Compensation:

Operation Smile is committed to pay transparency. The anticipated salary range for this position is $60,000 to $76,000 which may vary slightly based on a candidate’s experience, qualifications, and geographic location.

Why Operation Smile?

Meaningful Work - At Operation Smile, you will engage in meaningful work that transforms lives, providing essential medical care to children and contributing to global health and well-being.

A Brighter Future - Make saving for the future easy with Operation Smile’s 401(k) plan, featuring Safe Harbor and employer matching. Cha-ching!

Happy and Healthy - Kick back and relax with Operation Smile's all-in-one health plans! We've got your health, pharmacy, dental, and vision needs covered for you and your loved ones. No worries, just smiles!

Worry-Free Insurance - Enjoy true peace of mind with 100% paid premiums for life and AD&D insurances. We've got you covered, no matter what!

Take Your Time (Off) - Flexible time off and celebrate with company-paid holidays! More time for fun and relaxation.

Work it, Flex it - Enjoy flexible work arrangements that fit your lifestyle, with remote, on-site, and hybrid work arrangements.

Travel Minus Stress - See the world through our unique employee programs, which offer opportunities to participate in international medical trips, community outreach, and global health initiatives