Associate Director, Prospect Research

Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.•,

1d•$117,000 - $130,000•Hybrid

About The Position

NRDC is seeking a strategic, detail-oriented Associate Director of Prospect Research to lead the Prospect Research function within its Prospect Management and Research team. Reporting to the Senior Director, this role leads the identification, analysis, and strategic assessment of philanthropic prospects and donors to support NRDC’s fundraising priorities. The Associate Director partners with the Senior Director and Development Leadership to provide actionable intelligence for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies. The role directly manages a team of research professionals and oversees prospect research output, enhances research functions, and ensures high-quality work that supports fundraising effectiveness. It combines strategic leadership, analytical expertise, and knowledge of philanthropy and wealth indicators with close collaboration across prospect management and frontline fundraising teams. NRDC is an international nonprofit environmental organization working to address urgent environmental challenges and advance science-based, enforceable solutions. The position operates under a hybrid policy requiring eight days per month in the office; qualifying off-site work events and work-related travel may count toward this requirement. The salary range is $117,000 to $130,000, commensurate with skills and experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least 5 years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with a strong focus on Prospect Research.
At least 1–3 years of management experience.
Demonstrated expertise researching individuals, corporations, and foundations across multiple giving levels.
Experience producing high-level research deliverables and actionable prospect intelligence.
Experience supporting frontline fundraising teams in major and principal gift environments.
Familiarity with CRM systems; Salesforce preferred.
Ability to manage information from varied sources, authenticate and record data, interpret financial information and wealth indicators, and identify philanthropic patterns and relationships.
Knowledge of Prospect Research and fundraising best practices, including understanding of the APRA Code of Ethics as it relates to Prospect Research and management of biographical and philanthropic data.
Advanced analytical skills and ability to synthesize complex data into clear insights.
Familiarity with proactive prospecting methodologies, wealth indicators, and donor gift-capacity calculations.
Strong ability to interpret financial documents and assess wealth indicators.
Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presenting complex information concisely.
Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Ability to collaborate effectively across teams and with stakeholders at all levels.
Sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.
Commitment to Prospect Research best practices, ethics, and data governance.
Ability to foster a collaborative, inclusive, high-performing team culture.
Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles.

Responsibilities

Lead the Prospect Research team in setting priorities, workflows, and quality standards aligned with divisional and departmental goals.
Coordinate departmental research projects, including annual research activities and evaluation of potential projects.
Partner with the Senior Director and Associate Director, Prospect Management to scale research processes and build stakeholder consensus.
Lead product demonstrations, training sessions, and public-facing webinars.
Manage and develop a team of research staff by establishing expectations, supporting performance, and encouraging professional growth.
Translate strategic direction into actionable Prospect Research plans with measurable outcomes.
Establish and monitor performance metrics to ensure timely, accurate, high-value deliverables.
Serve as a subject matter expert on Prospect Research best practices and due diligence projects.
Oversee proactive and reactive prospect research, including identification, qualification, and analysis.
Develop research strategies to expand and strengthen the prospect pipeline in alignment with fundraising priorities.
Partner with Prospect Management on portfolio development and assignments.
Ensure consistent use of prospect ratings, segmentation, and research standards.
Plan and execute creative prospecting strategies using innovative research techniques and electronic searching methods.
Oversee production of research profiles, briefings, and due diligence reports.
Develop Salesforce reports to help audit the work of the Prospect Research team.
Analyze financial, business, and philanthropic data to assess capacity and inform strategy.
Deliver clear, actionable insights tailored to gift officers and leadership.
Monitor external trends and report on information that supports pipeline strategy and decision-making.
Partner with gift officers and Development leadership to align research with fundraising strategies and priorities.
Collaborate with Prospect Management and serve as a liaison between Prospect Research staff and frontline fundraisers.
Oversee the effective use of research tools, databases, and screening resources; support evaluation and adoption of new tools and data sources.
Ensure strong data practices, including documentation, coding, and CRM data integrity.
Perform other duties as assigned.