Director
Reporting to the Executive Director of Advancement Operations, the Director of Prospect Research, Prospect Management and Data Analytics is responsible for planning, implementing, and directing a comprehensive prospect research and management program. The director will lead the prospect research and management team in implementing plans that accurately identify new prospective donors, update information on existing donors and prospects, and gauge a prospect's capacity and propensity to make a meaningful impact through philanthropy at St. Lawrence University. The director will manage all processes associated with prospect management, including building and evaluating portfolios and implementing methods that, through quantitative and qualitative means, assess and drive portfolio activity. The director will work collaboratively across all areas of University Advancement to contribute effectively to divisional fundraising and engagement goals. This position will also perform regular research on major and principal gifts prospects, and move prospects through the solicitation cycle based on interactions with major gift officers.
Duties/Responsibilities
[50%] Prospect research and prospect management
- Update biographical profiles, prepare summaries on event attendees, and respond to research requests.
- Conduct proactive research to identify new prospects; assign prospects to major and principal gift officers as appropriate.
- Interpret biographical and complex financial information on individuals, corporations and foundations.
- Perform wealth estimations and assign ratings based on publicly available information, including insider holdings, real estate, salary estimates, and general demographic assessments.
- Move prospects through the solicitation cycle based on requests from major and principal gift officers. Ensure moves are appropriate based on major gift officer activity with prospects.
- Keep abreast of alumni in the news, philanthropic trends, and current economic and world events; assist in matching prospect interest to fundraising priorities.
[25%] Management of the prospect research program
- Supervise research staff (training, workload, professional development, establishing priorities).
- Advocate for the research team with all levels of management.
- Assess research methods, goals, and strategies; develop and implement new ways of streamlining the research process.
- Stay abreast of new practices in prospect research/management, data mining, and data science, and work to incorporate the appropriate practices.
- Evaluate and negotiate the purchase and renewal of research resources, publications, services, and memberships. Regularly review resources for effectiveness, reliability, and comprehensive coverage, in conjunction with the Associate Director of Development Research and Prospect Management.
- Represent research needs in the evaluation, recommendation and selection of vendor services.
- Oversee the prospect moves management system.
- Manage the prospect research and management budget in Ellucian Colleague.
- Manage special projects as needed.
[25%] Data Analytics
- Serve as the lead officer for all analytic requests in the office of Prospect Research and Prospect Management
- Proactively identify ways to strengthen fundraising with an eye on long-term goals and trends through qualitative and quantitative assessment of data.
- Stay current on new and rising trends in data science and analytics in the fields of prospect research and prospect management
- Develop annual data mining lists for future research
- Serve as a partner to the Executive Director of Advancement Operations in guiding the new prospect management policy through the analysis of data
- Educate development staff on prospect research and management processes/policies.
- Work with the overall Advancement Operations staff on a comprehensive data integrity plan and proactively identify areas needing improvement.
- Maintain a comprehensive and working knowledge of The Raiser's Edge database.
Perform other duties as assigned or requested to meet departmental goals and objectives.
Questions about the position should be directed to Rich Basler, Executive Director of Advancement Operations (rbasler@stlawu.edu).
All offers of employment are contingent upon the finalist successfully passing a background (including criminal records) check.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree required.
- Five to seven years of research experience in an academic, development, marketing, or related industry, or applicable combination of education and work experience.
- Well-developed writing and research skills; working knowledge of Internet search strategies.
- Ability to think strategically and develop both short and long-term plans.
- Superior skills in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; experience working in relational databases.
- Knowledge of The Raiser's Edge is a plus, but not required.
- Ability to interpret, analyze, and summarize biographical and complex financial data.
- Ability to build and maintain cohesive teams as well as build effective relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to manage several projects at one time and delegate workload appropriately.
- Sensitivity to highly confidential information; complete discretion is required.