Description

The Director of Prospect Research will be responsible for managing research deliverables and projects, directing prospect identification efforts, delegating research requests to ensure timely responses, coordinating training, ensuring compliance with ethical practices and data privacy laws, and providing strategic support for fundraising at all levels, with special focus on principal level strategy. Additionally, they will collaborate with the Executive Director of Prospect Development to set and monitor annual goals, working closely with the prospect management and analytics team develop and implement the overall prospect development vision and strategic focus, enhancing the University’s fundraising success and pipeline development.

Direct prospect identification efforts, develop research department deliverables, ensure compliance with ethical practices and data privacy laws. Provide strategic support for fundraising at all levels for the university. Manage projects, delegate tasks, ensure timely responses to service requests and coordinate all training for the prospect research team.

Prospect Development Strategy

In close collaboration with Executive Director of Prospect Development and other Prospect Development units (Portfolio and Prospect Management, Analytics), this position will assist in the development, implementation, maintenance of overall prospect development strategy for the university.

Research Management

This position will serve as team leader, providing supervision to a team of research analysts. The director will meet regularly with all the researchers, individually and as a team, providing guidance and insight for their professional development and work product.

Requirements

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES TYPICALLY NEEDED TO PERFORM THIS JOB SUCCESSFULLY: 

1. Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills.

2. Experience with data-driven research using industry-standard software, web-based tools, data management systems, social media, and other methodologies.

3. Ability to manage multiple demands and projects simultaneously and meet strict deadlines.

4. Strong problem-solving, project management, and organizational aptitude.

5. Ability to work collaboratively and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

6. Understanding of prospect management concepts, including complex analyses and identifying philanthropic patterns.

7. Passion for excellent customer service and commitment to exceptional quality.

8. Ability to inspire colleagues toward common objectives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 
1. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

1. 5 years of experience in development research, prospect management, or prospect development in a higher education, healthcare, or complex non-profit environment.

2. Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications may be considered.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Commitment to higher education values.

2. Professional memberships in APRA, CASE, or AASP

3. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, charts, formulas).

4. Experience with fundraising CRMs (preferably Salesforce) and data visualization tools.

5. Ability to interpret and analyze complex financial statements.

6. Experience leading large, complex projects with multiple tasks and competing deadlines.

7. An ability to assist and advise in developing and implementing prospect research guidelines and procedures.

8. Experience designing and implementing comprehensive data-mining and proactive prospect identification projects.

9. Ability to initiate and lead projects to improve service to development officers and/or units.

10. Experience researching, analyzing, and maintaining information on prospective donors using various electronic databases, publications, and online services.