Prospect Researcher at the Office of Advancement Services

American University of Beirut•Lebanon, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Supports the University's prospect research and prospect development unit by identifying, researching, analyzing, and profiling prospective and current donors in support of fundraising initiatives across AUB, including the Beirut campus, AUB Mediterraneo, the Dubai Hub, and other strategic institutional priorities. Conducts comprehensive research on individuals, corporations, foundations, and other philanthropic organizations; prepares high-quality written profiles, briefings, and analytical reports; and supports prospect identification, qualification, and prospect management.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree preferably in Business Administration, Communication Arts, Journalism, Political Studies or Public Administration.
Minimum of 3-5 years of relevant experience.
Excellent research, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
Excellent written communication and editing skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into concise, accurate, and well-organized prospect profiles, briefings, and reports.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
Excellent spoken and written English.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Ellucian Banner or another CRM/database is an asset.
Familiarity with AI-assisted research tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, or similar) and their responsible professional use is an asset.
Arabic is preferred.

Responsibilities

Identifies and provides detailed information and analyses on current, past and potential donors, assessing their interest, their capacity and their inclination to philanthropically support the university’s fundraising priorities.
Identifies and provides detailed information and analyses on current, past and potential donors, and as required, on alumni and influential contacts. This includes biographical, philanthropic, professional and financial information, current and past contact with the university, affiliations and memberships, and any other information that may provide a full profile of the individual or organization.
Maintains and updates prospect and constituent information in AUB’s Advancement database, including prospect ratings, coding, research findings, affiliations, and biographical information.
Reviews fundraiser contact reports and ensures research findings are appropriately documented in AUB’s Advancement database.
Prepares written briefings and detailed profiles to support the active cultivation of individuals and institutions and for other purposes of the university.
Provides support to front-line fundraisers by reading and analyzing contact reports data to enhance information in the database about AUB constituents and update prospect coding data as necessary.
Conducts prospect research on individuals, corporations, foundations, and other philanthropic organizations worldwide in support of fundraising initiatives for AUB, including the Beirut campus, AUB Mediterraneo, the Dubai Hub, and other strategic priorities.
Pro-actively searches websites of foundations to help secure funding of the various scientific and academic research initiatives and to uncover potential new funders to support our programs.
Pro-actively monitors news, publications, online communication and other sources of information for updates about prospects, donors, prominent alumni and influential friends of the university.
Pro-actively conducts research using myriad resources including files of the Office of Advancement, published materials, online sources, market research, financial data, census data, directories, other sources available in the public and private sectors, and other university resources. Continuously identifies new sources of information and research methodology.
Implements best practice in prospect identification and research, prospect tracking and prospect management, working closely with the Director of Prospect Research.
Produces high quality and accurate written and verbal briefings, profiles and reports.
Maintains resources and subscriptions necessary for the work required.
Ensures continuous professional development through international professional organizational memberships, conferences, and electronic mailing lists focusing on prospect research and fundraising issues.
Performs other duties as requested by the Director of Prospect Research.