Job Description

Director, Prospect Research & Management

The Director of Prospect Research and Management is a key leadership role responsible for building and managing a robust pipeline of prospects for the University Advancement office. You will lead all prospect research and management efforts for the University Advancement office, including major, principal and leadership gifts, planned giving, annual giving and CFR. Providing essential data and strategic analysis to help fundraising staff secure support for university priorities.

Your primary goal is to proactively identify, qualify, and research individuals, corporations, and foundations with the capacity and inclination to donate. This is a critical function that allows frontline fundraisers to focus their time effectively and make the right ask at the right time. You will be a proactive partner to the University Advancement team and senior administration, providing comprehensive profiles and briefings to support their fundraising efforts.

Essential Functions

• Prospect Research & Analysis: Conduct in-depth research to identify and qualify major gift prospects. Analyze financial, philanthropic, and professional data to assess giving capacity and alignment with university goals. Prepare detailed prospect profiles, meeting briefings, and corporate strategy summaries for key stakeholders. Monitor news and industry trends to uncover new opportunities and connections. Develop event briefings and prospect lists for alumni gatherings and institutional events.
• Prospect Identification & Pipeline Management: Lead strategic initiatives to identify new sources of major gift support using creative research techniques and electronic methodologies. Conduct annual wealth screenings and ad-hoc screenings to identify new prospects. Collaborate with frontline fundraisers to ensure their portfolios are balanced and strategically sound. Facilitate monthly portfolio review sessions with each frontline fundraiser. Lead strategy sessions, ensuring research materials are distributed beforehand and guiding discussions to determine appropriate strategies and ask amounts.
• Portfolio Management & Reporting: Oversee a robust prospect management system in Raiser's Edge to track individuals through all stages of the relationship cycle: identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Establish and monitor key performance metrics to evaluate progress toward individual and team goals. Run regular queries and exports to ensure data accuracy and completeness within the prospect database. Disseminate regular (weekly / monthly) prospect management reports to guide planning and engagement strategies.
• Supervision & Coordination: Provide direct supervision to the Prospect Research Analyst. Collaborate with frontline fundraising staff to ensure a viable pool of prospects. Offer training and general support to staff on how to use Raiser's Edge as a moves management tool. Maintain subscriptions for screening and research tools and ensure appropriate access for the University Advancement team.

Prerequisite Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college. Five years of experience in fundraising-related research, demonstrating success in analyzing and identifying funding sources and strategies. Advanced knowledge of prospect research practices and moves management principles. Proficiency in web navigation and effective written and verbal communication. At the university's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be exempted where the candidate can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the university, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher. 7-10 years of fundraising experience in a higher education environment. Raiser's Edge (RE7 and RENXT) as well as Crystal Reports experience is a plus.

Salary Information

In compliance with the NJ Pay Transparency Law, the annual salary range for this position is $125,000-$135,000 (USD). NJIT considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education / training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. This pay range represents base pay only and excludes any additional items such as incentives, bonuses or other items.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs