Prospect Research Manager

Make-A-Wish Canada / Rêves d'enfants Canada•Ottawa, ON

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

Make-A-Wish® Canada creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We are on a quest to bring every eligible child's wish to life because a wish is an integral part of a child's treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness. Our mission is, together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illness. Supported by our vision to grant the wish of every eligible child. Our values are Child-Focused, Integrity, Impact, Innovation, and Community. Make-A-Wish® Canada is committed to fostering a culture that aims to change lives while offering a rewarding employment experience where your contributions make a true difference every day! We are looking for a Prospect Research Manager to join our team at Make-A-Wish Canada. Reporting to the Director of Fundraising Operations, you will be leading prospect research and donor intelligence. This role identifies, analyzes, and qualifies prospective donors, translating complex data into actionable insights that support revenue growth. The position is an individual contributor and does not have direct reports, but exercises autonomy, judgment, and influence across the organization. This role can be based anywhere in Canada and is a full-time, hybrid, permanent position. The hiring range for this role is $83,000-$88,000.

Requirements

5+ years of progressive experience in prospect research or a related fundraising, advancement, or data-focused role.
Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Library or Information Science, Research, Business, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated expertise using prospect research tools and databases such as iWave, CharityCan, and Salesforce.
Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to interpret data and present insights clearly.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex research into concise, funder-facing materials.
High degree of accuracy, discretion, and attention to detail.
Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Knowledge of fundraising principles, donor lifecycle, and gift strategy within the nonprofit sector.
A clear Criminal Background Check is required.

Responsibilities

Design, implement, and refine a comprehensive prospect research strategy for individual, corporate, and foundation giving priorities.
Expand and strengthen donor pipelines by identifying new prospects and re-evaluating existing donors using philanthropic indicators, capacity analysis, and affinity research.
Analyze donor and prospect data to assess financial capacity, philanthropic interests, relationships, and giving history.
Produce high-quality research profiles, briefs, and strategic recommendations to support cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Synthesize information from internal systems, public records, and licensed research tools to provide clear, actionable insights for fundraisers and senior leadership.
Monitor donor activity, wealth events, and trends to surface timely opportunities and emerging risks.
Maintain accurate, comprehensive, and current prospect records within Salesforce, ensuring alignment with prospect management and fundraising strategies.
Apply and manage prospect coding, ratings, and research documentation in accordance with organizational standards and best practices.
Serve as a thought partner to fundraising staff, providing guidance on prospect strategy, portfolio development, and moves management.
Contribute to cross-functional planning by sharing insights that inform fundraising priorities, and revenue forecasting.
Respond to ad hoc research requests with appropriate depth, accuracy, and timeliness.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Meaningful opportunities to make an impact and change the lives of children with critical illnesses within your community and across Canada
A collaborative team environment where you feel valued and inspired
An attractive compensation package that includes group health and dental premiums which are fully covered by the Foundation, RRSP, & Wish paid hours
Annual vacation starting at three weeks & additional paid leaves
Work/life balance and flexibility
Hybrid working environment
Employee Wellness Program
Corporate discounts
Continuous learning, development and internal training opportunities
Fun employee activities, contests, and more!