Director, Research and Prospect Management - Hybrid

Wellesley • Wellesley, MA

15d • $109,000 - $125,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Prospect Research and Prospect Management provides essential strategic leadership and direction for the College’s Prospect Research and Development function. This function is critical to the successful execution of our comprehensive fundraising campaign, which is now operating in its crucial leadership phase. This role is indispensable for ensuring the efficient, strategic identification, qualification, and aggressive strategic management of high-capacity major and principal gift prospects. The Director directly influences the pace and achievement of our highest philanthropic targets by optimizing the donor pipeline. The Director will drive the team’s utilization of best-in-class industry software and emerging AI technology to significantly enhance traditional prospect research methodologies, pipeline management, and overall operational efficiency. This position leads and mentors a team of prospect researchers, advising senior gift officers and campaign leadership on donor strategy, and ensuring the College is strategically positioned to achieve its most ambitious fundraising goals and secure the campaign's success.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 7-10 years of professional experience in prospect research and prospect management within a fundraising environment, including experience with relational databases and managing a team.
• Experience leveraging modern technology (including industry software and/or AI tools) for prospect development.
• Demonstrated experience managing or guiding a team or function, including responsibility for project prioritization, cross-functional partnership, and mentoring staff or colleagues.
• Proven ability to supervise, mentor, and manage a professional staff; strong organizational and project management skills.
• Deep proficiency in conducting high-level donor research, recognizing and assessing complex wealth indicators, and calculating philanthropic capacity (both an art and a science).
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and present critical findings strategically for executive-level audiences.
• Demonstrated facility with modern, best-in-class prospect research and prospect management approaches and software, with an eagerness to explore and implement emerging AI solutions to optimize work.
• Meticulous attention to detail, sound judgment, strategic thinking, strong interpersonal skills, self-motivation, and the flexibility to adjust priorities in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct the team in performing sophisticated, traditional prospect research to identify, qualify, and prioritize high-capacity prospects.
• Oversee the collection, confirmation, analysis, interpretation, and summarization of complex biographical, financial, and philanthropic data to assess wealth and giving capacity.
• Oversee the prospect management system, including pipeline moves management, portfolio optimization, and key performance metric tracking.
• Provide strategic counsel and support to gift officers on donor cultivation and solicitation strategies, ensuring effective management of donor relationships.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate a team of three Prospect Development professionals.
• Foster a culture of excellence, ethical research practices, and continuous professional development.
• Establish and maintain best-practice methodologies for prospect research and pipeline management, ensuring strategic leverage of best-in-class industry software (e.g., wealth screening tools, CRM/database) and emerging AI technology to maximize efficiency, data accuracy, and prospect yield.
• Ensure the timely creation and delivery of accurate, high-quality research briefings and reports for the President, Trustees, senior staff, and volunteer leaders to inform personal contacts and solicitations.
• Coordinate with records staff to achieve effective data management for the constituent database.

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation
• Exceptional Benefits Package: Access a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision and pre-tax saving benefits, life insurance, disability coverage, and more to safeguard your health and that of your loved ones.
• Commuting and Transportation: Enjoy the convenience of free parking on our picturesque campus, easily accessible from major roadways. We are also accessible via the MBTA commuter rail.
• Paid Time Off: Take advantage of paid vacations, personal days, sick time, and holidays to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life harmony.
• Retirement Savings: Plan for the future with our retirement savings plan. Wellesley College contributes up to 10.5% towards your 403(b) plan for eligible employees
• Work/Life and Wellness: A hybrid work environment for select positions (additional details will be provided during the interview process), caregiving support through Wellthy, legal plan insurance, pet insurance discount and a variety of other resources including retirement planning, and access to cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
• Professional Development: Enhance your skills and explore growth opportunities through continuing training and pathways for growth within our supportive environment.
• Tuition and Education Benefits: Invest in your education with tuition benefits, and access resources to navigate student loan forgiveness, reinforcing our commitment to your ongoing learning.
• Campus Privileges: Enjoy free use of our state-of-the-art athletic and fitness facilities with onsite fitness classes, Library resources, and seize opportunities to attend diverse campus events that contribute to a vibrant community.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director