Prospect Research Manager

American Conservatory Theater • San Francisco, CA

1d • $80,000 - $92,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Prospect Research Manager (PRM) is a key member of A.C.T.’s Development team and reports to the Director of Development. This role plays a key part in shaping and informing A.C.T’s fundraising strategy by providing research, data analysis, and strategic insights that strengthen donor cultivation and stewardship across A.C.T.’s Development team. This is an individual contributor role with significant strategic impact across A.C.T.’s fundraising efforts.

In collaboration with Development leadership and frontline fundraising teams, the PRM identifies and evaluates prospective donors and strengthens portfolio strategy. This role prepares research and briefing materials that directly inform cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts, playing an essential part in expanding A.C.T.’s pipeline of supporters—from Friends and Directors Circle members to Producers Circle donors and Trustees to Corporate, Foundation, Gala supporters, and government funding opportunities—ensuring the Development team has the insights needed to cultivate diverse gifts that sustain the theater’s artistic, artist training, and education programs.

The PRM oversees prospect research projects, conducts wealth and philanthropic screenings, maintains prospect information in Tessitura, develops reports that support data-driven fundraising strategies, and works collaboratively with the entire fundraising team. The PRM will be responsible for handling substantial donor data with exceptional accuracy, integrity, and discretion.

Requirements

• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Alignment with A.C.T.’s Mission, Values and commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• 3–5 years of experience in prospect research supporting individual, foundation, or corporate fundraising.
• Experience working with frontline fundraisers and supporting portfolio development.
• Demonstrated commitment to protecting the confidentiality of donor and organizational information.
• Strong analytical and research skills with the ability to synthesize complex information.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues across departments and interact professionally with trustees, donors, and external partners.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Tessitura CRM or a comparable platform.
• Familiarity with prospect research tools such as iWave, WealthEngine, DonorSearch, or Foundation Directory.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Ability and willingness to work evening and weekend donor benefit events, including annual gala.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated skill in understanding of cultural differences.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with A.C.T. colleagues and stakeholders.
• Experience working in a performing arts or cultural nonprofit organization.
• Strong writing skills for producing clear donor profiles, briefings, and research summaries.
• Interest in or familiarity with philanthropy trends, especially in the arts, culture, and corporate/foundation sectors.
• Interest in theater and the performing arts.
• Sense of humor and a collaborative, team-oriented mindset.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth research on individuals, foundations, and corporate prospects to support A.C.T.’s individual giving, major gifts, and institutional giving strategies.
• Identify new prospects among A.C.T.’s audience, subscriber base, and broader philanthropic community.
• Conduct periodic wealth and philanthropic screenings and analyze results to identify high-capacity prospects.
• Recommend donor assignments to gift officers, build moves management reports, and assist with building prospect pipelines for Directors Circle, Producers Circle, and leadership-level donors.
• Work with Director of Development to identify Trustee prospects.
• Partner with Individual Giving team and Development leadership to strengthen major gift pipelines.
• Analyze donor giving patterns, capacity indicators, and engagement history to inform strategic portfolio development.
• Identify and recommend upgrade opportunities among Friends and Directors Circle donors.
• Participate in portfolio management meetings and contribute insights that help gift officers prioritize outreach and cultivation strategies.
• Develop criteria and implement research processes to identify and qualify institutional funders, including foundations and corporations.
• Prepare research profiles and briefing materials for meetings with donors, prospects, trustees, institutions, and community leaders.
• Develop briefing documents for cultivation opportunities such as artist salons, opening nights, rehearsal events, special donor activities, and the Annual Gala.
• Research and produce comprehensive “thumbnail” bios for the Annual Gala and other donor events.
• Provide research support for leadership meetings involving A.C.T.’s Artistic Director, Executive Director, and Board of Trustees.
• Maintain an organized library of research reports and donor briefings in Tessitura that are easily accessible to Development team.
• Provide research and analytics that support key fundraising priorities, including: Expansion of Directors Circle and Producers Circle membership Young Conservatory scholarship fundraising Board nomination and trustee giving Special cultivation events and artist engagement opportunities Major fundraising initiatives tied to A.C.T.’s upcoming 60th Anniversary
• Maintain familiarity with leading prospect research tools and philanthropic intelligence platforms.
• Leverage data analytics to identify trends, model donor behavior, and inform strategic decision-making.
• Manage research resources within approved budgets.
• Provide training to Development team on prospect research techniques, portfolio management principles, and database best practices.
• Support special projects and events within the Development Department, as needed.
• Contribute to a collaborative, mission-driven environment that advances A.C.T.’s fundraising goals.

Benefits

• A.C.T. offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid vacation and sick leave; and access to live theater performances and professional development opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees