Senior Manager, Prospect Research

Natural Resources Defense Council•New York, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions. Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has helped craft and deliver many of America’s foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Today, we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world, from offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Beijing , and New Delhi (a subsidiary of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd.). Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature and safeguard public health across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. At NRDC, we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent, passion, and expertise together for a common purpose: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world. Learn more at nrdc.org POSITION SUMMARY NRDC is seeking a Senior Manager, Prospect Research to work within the P rospect Research side of the Prospect Management and Research (PMR) team. Reporting to the future Associate Director, Prospect Research this role will be working with in a team of roughly eight staff and will be responsible for producing actionable prospect research for all units in Development. The Senior Manager will assist in identif ying and develop ing process improvements within NRDC’s P rospect R esearch department to support NRDC’s fundraising priorities. The Senior Manager plays a critical role in NRDC's fundraising strategies by identifying , researching, and prioritizing prospective donors and philanthropic partners. This position will also serve as a partner with Leadership and fellow teammates to develop cross -c ollaboration efforts between the P rospect M anagement and P rospect R esearch units. The position you are applying for is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035 ).

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree
4-7 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, Prospect Development, research or related field.
Demonstrated expertise in researching individuals, corporations, and foundations across multiple giving levels
Experience supporting frontline fundraising teams in major and principal gift environments
Proficiency with CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) and prospect research tools
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 the ability to present complex information concisely
Strong organizational and project management skills, with 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 best practices in prospect research, ethics, and data governance
Ability to foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture
Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the Associate Director to e nhance the Prospect Research program, ensuring the delivery of actionable prospect insights that advance fundraising efforts across the Major Gifts, Principal Gifts, Institutional Giving and Planned Giving teams.
Identify , evaluate, and assess new and existing prospects through the assessment of publicly available wealth indicators, philanthropic giving history, biographical information, and affinity to NRD C ’s mission.
Identifies and evaluates potential donors, supports portfolio management processes, and provides fundraisers with clear, accurate , and actionable information to advance cultivation and solicitation strategies.
Monitor and analyze philanthropic trends, wealth events, and donor activity to identify high-potential prospects and inform fundraising priorities.
Contribute as a subject matter expert on Prospect Research best practices an d due diligence projects.
Support execution of wealth screening initiatives to identify high-capacity prospects.
Collaborate with Prospect Management and contribute insights portfolio reviews by recommending prospects for assignment utilizing a variety of prospecting methods.
Support pipeline development and CRM data quality by : Developing metrics and dashboards that measure Prospect Research’s impact on portfolio performance.
Contributing to the review and oversight of the unassigned prospect pool.
Maintaining accurate , up to date, and consistent prospect data within the CRM.
Partner with PMR leadership an d Donor Systems to ensure prospect information is accurately documented within the CRM.
Identify opportunities to improve research workflows and support greater efficiency.
Ensure all research activities comply with ethical standards, privacy regulations, and industry best practices, including the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA) Statement of Ethics.
Evaluate and recommend research tools, data sources, and technologies that improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Maintain confidentiality and discretion when handling sensitive donor information.