REPORTS TO: Director of Principal and Major Gifts
SCHEDULE: Full-time, minimum 40 hours/week, weekend work may be required, as necessary. Schedule may vary according to departmental and Academy needs.
Pay Group
Type
Status
Fiscal Year Weeks
Class
Department
Location
SemiMo.(Salaried)
Regular
Full-Time
Full year (52 weeks)
ADM
Institutional Advancement-Major Gifts
Hybrid
Position Purpose
Provide leadership and strategic direction for prospect research and management. Assist the principal and major gifts program, Exeter Fund, and campaign initiatives. Support Institutional Advancement annual goals by developing and supervising an operational prospect research and management system. Establish, implement, and maximize tools and methods to ensure effective prospect management. Supervise, hire, train, evaluate, mentor, and represent the research staff. Function as an active researcher and engage in new prospect identification, support of ongoing data maintenance, and preparation of briefings for development officers, the principal, administrators, trustees, and volunteers. Investigate and lead the use of cutting-edge research, data analytics, and reputational risk tools.
Job Responsibilities
- Ensures that the Prospect Research and Management team provides useful, timely, and accurate information targeted to the fundraising and relationship-building needs of the offices of Institutional Advancement (IA). Moreover, that each researcher is functioning at a high level of professionalism and is proficient in best practices as they evolve; and that the prospect research and management department’s use of time and resources are aligned with the priorities of IA.
- Creates a robust prospect pipeline by ensuring gift officers have the resources and information to cultivate meaningful benefactor relationships. Proactively identify prospects, growing the size and value of the donor pipeline, and articulate strategies for the cultivation and solicitation of principal & major gifts level donors. Attends regular prospect strategy sessions, providing insights on strategies, timing, and optimal methods of giving; promote cohesive and consistent strategy for prospects via a moves management system and supporting data to monitor cultivation, solicitation, gift closure, & stewardship; assign prospects to fundraisers and monitor progress toward meeting individual & IA goals; conceptualize and oversee regular prospect screening; and recommend specific tasks and procedures to foster a vibrant prospect development process.
- Leads the implementation and use of analytical strategies and tools, utilizing data mining, predictive modeling, and reporting to support portfolio management, prospect identification and assignment, portfolio analysis, proposal activity, etc. Provide ongoing assessments of fundraising programs' effectiveness. Produces routine and as needed analysis and reporting on prospect qualification, cultivation, and solicitation activities. Extract, organize, and model data to inform IA management business decisions related to portfolio management, staff deployment, and goalsetting.
- Plans, develops, and implements proactive research to identify high quality prospects, ensuring that each fundraiser has sufficient qualified prospects to meet or exceed goals. Be persistent and imaginative in securing and analyzing a wide array of information, assertively collecting, maintaining, and analyzing data to aid in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting principal & major gifts donors. Seek opportunities to identify and leverage existing relationships to make connections to high net worth potential prospects.
- Leads prospect research team in conducting research and analyzing data, utilizing a full range of publicly available information sources as well as data generated internally, to prepare detailed written prospect profiles on individuals (including current and prospective alumni and parent donors, potential trustees, and institutional award nominees) for development officers, the principal, administrators, trustees, and volunteers. Must possess excellent research, presentation, and organizational skills; be an effective writer; and be inquisitive.
- Works with vendors to keep on top of industry trends (i.e., wealth screening, analytics, AI, etc.)
- Manages due diligence/risk management for the Gift Acceptance Committee.
- Participates in staff meetings with relevance to prospect research & management.
- Oversees the office administrative functions such as preparing the research budget, ordering reference materials and supplies, and adopting policies and procedures as required.
- Seeks out professional development opportunities via cross training, conference attendance, webinars, campus-wide resources, and team meetings.
Knowledge, Skills and Competencies
- Respect for diversity of identities and experiences, an orientation toward equity and inclusion, and cultural competency in all aspects of Academy life.
- Demonstrated ability in detailed conducting and writing research, data interpretation, and strategic planning.
- Proven strong presentation skills and presence.
- Strategic high-level thinking coupled with the attention to detail necessary for successful planning and execution.
- Proven excellent client support skills with demonstrated evidence of strong business acumen.
- Ability and willingness to travel (by car, air, train, or bus) domestically as needed.
- Strong interpersonal skills with ability to develop and maintain collegial relationships.
- Excellent communication (written and verbal) skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work with students by building trust and credibility.
- Excellent analytical and problem solving skills as well as a strong customer focus.
- A strict adherence to confidential policies is required.
- Ability to work independently and handle multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
- Proficient in MS Office and social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.).
- Significant knowledge of, and experience with, online databases (e.g., Blackbaud FPM/NXT, LexisNexis for Development Professionals, NOZA, ProQuest, WealthEngine, LinkedIn, Aidentified, Chalkbooks, etc.) is essential.
- Willingness and ability to learn additional applications as needed.
- High degree of organizational skills with the ability to be flexible and multi-task with accuracy.
- Ability to follow verbal and written directions, maintain a professional demeanor and restraint at all times, including stressful situations.
Direct/Indirect Reports
2 Associate Directors of Prospect Research and Management
Position Requirements
Education
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in the Prospect Research and Management field preferred.
Experience
- 3+ years’ supervisory and Prospect Research and Management experience preferred.
- Leadership and management experience, including situations involving competing deadlines.
- Experience with fundraising and on-line databases, web-based applications, and Microsoft applications in a Windows environment is required.
- Experience working with fundraising databases required; direct knowledge of Blackbaud FPM/NXT, Reeher Platform, or similar products is preferred.
- Experience working with adolescents in an educational setting preferred.
Additional Requirements
- Successfully complete a criminal background check (reviewed every 5 years).
- Clean Driving record (reviewed annually).