Associate Director, Prospect Research and Strategy

Illinois State•Normal, IL

7h•$65,000 - $67,000•Onsite

About The Position

This position is a key partner in developing strategies that inform cultivation and solicitation of major and principal gift prospects. Responsible for leading a comprehensive development research service for University Advancement, including managing prospect research initiatives identifying, acquiring, qualifying, rating, and tracking donors to determine capacity, interests, and likelihood to make philanthropic contributions. Independently uses resources to identify potential major gift support using creative research techniques, data analytics and electronic searching methodologies including qualifying, screening, and rating tools to ensure that fundraising initiatives have sufficient prospects to meet fundraising goals. Identifies new ways to secure the latest biographical and financial information of current and potential major gift donors from public resources and assisting in the maintenance of this information in the constituent donor database. In conjunction with the Director, facilitates prospect development and assignments, reviews all portfolios ensuring each Major Gift Officer has a balanced and viable collection of prospects, and analyzes team and division prospect trends and capacity. Assists with principal prospect research profiles and provide in-depth gift capacity analysis for the President and senior staff as needed. This position is an integral part of the development and execution of research policies and procedures requiring a solid knowledge of giving trends, data analytics, predictive modeling, and data mining to help drive fundraising strategies. Additional Information Prospect Development at Illinois State University is a part of Advancement Operations, one of four departments managed by University Advancement (UA). Prospect Development’s mission is to enhance Illinois State’s philanthropic endeavors by partnering with fundraisers to deliver timely information, moves management and data and prospect analysis. In doing so, we maximize the opportunity for private funding that benefits students, faculty, and the university’s strategic priorities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree.
Three (3) years of significant and demonstrated professional level experience in prospect research, marketing/business research, higher education fundraising OR research, project management experience using information systems, or related field.
Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize work, think critically, and manage diverse and competing priorities while meeting deadlines.
Advanced ability in Microsoft Office.
Adhere to the highest ethical standards and standards of confidentiality.
A strong analytic background with proven data analysis skills.
Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with all staff.
Excellent organizational, communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.
Proven skills in documenting processes and training staff.
Ability to maintain a high level of poise and professionalism in all circumstances.
Demonstrated ability to take primary responsibility for diverse number of projects and to complete them in a timely manner with limited supervision.

Nice To Haves

Comprehensive understanding of advancement operations as a functional area.
Experience with advancement database systems.
Experience with advanced prospect management work such as pipeline reviews and portfolio balancing.
Appreciation of the value of higher education.

Responsibilities

Developing strategies that inform cultivation and solicitation of major and principal gift prospects.
Leading a comprehensive development research service for University Advancement.
Managing prospect research initiatives identifying, acquiring, qualifying, rating, and tracking donors.
Using resources to identify potential major gift support using creative research techniques, data analytics and electronic searching methodologies.
Securing the latest biographical and financial information of current and potential major gift donors from public resources.
Assisting in the maintenance of information in the constituent donor database.
Facilitating prospect development and assignments.
Reviewing all portfolios ensuring each Major Gift Officer has a balanced and viable collection of prospects.
Analyzing team and division prospect trends and capacity.
Assisting with principal prospect research profiles and provide in-depth gift capacity analysis for the President and senior staff as needed.
Development and execution of research policies and procedures requiring a solid knowledge of giving trends, data analytics, predictive modeling, and data mining to help drive fundraising strategies.