Description

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Operations, the Assistant Director for Prospect Research serves as a strategic partner to the College's fundraising team, identifying and evaluating prospects to advance the institution's strategic priorities. This role maximizes philanthropic impact by optimizing gift potential, enhancing fundraising efficiency, and informing advancement strategy through prospect research, pipeline management, and portfolio performance analysis.

The successful candidate will be intellectually curious, technologically savvy, and detail-oriented, with strong analytical skills and database proficiency. This position requires the ability to work independently while collaborating closely with partners across the Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) team. Given the sensitive nature of donor information, strong ethical judgment and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality are essential.

*Candidates must reside in the U.S; CA, NY, and MA residents are not eligible. The College must approve the remote state work eligibility prior to hire, based upon registration requirements.

Key Responsibilities

       Conduct proactive discovery research to determine donor capacity, propensity, and affinity by reviewing biographical, financial, and philanthropic information on donors and prospects, utilizing in-house files and a variety of online, electronic, and printed sources (Raiser's Edge, Research Point, iWave, LinkedIn, federal filings, philanthropic giving reports, open-source public data, etc.) using a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens. 

       Analyze and verify wealth information to determine giving capacity estimates; use the database to assist development staff to segment and prioritize prospects. 

       Partner in the assignment of prospects to portfolios, maintain assignments in the database, and monitor the prospect assignment cycle in prospect management meetings. 

       Manage the prospect management system (pipeline) to support moves management and portfolio tracking; ensure that data and processes are accurate and appropriately tracked. 

       Prepare detailed, actionable research profiles and donor strategy briefing materials that support cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, identifying alumni with leadership potential. Prepare profile notes, event participant reports/lists, bios, and other materials for staff, the President, the Dean, and other partners for donor meetings, events, and recruitment to leadership positions at the College. 

       Provide research support services to respond to the needs of development staff and campus partners in a timely manner; participate in projects involving prospect identification, external screenings, rating recommendations, and prospect information updates. 

       Evaluate and recommend tools, databases, and services to maximize ROI; develop innovative research methods, leveraging generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, etc.) to enhance efficiency. 

       Develop strong working relationships with frontline fundraisers and support staff; participate in professional development opportunities to stay abreast of trends in prospect research, management, and development.

Minimal overnight travel (up to 10%) by land and/or air.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• 2 years or more of direct experience in the Prospect Research field
• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university
• Ability to utilize interpersonal skills to collaborate across all levels of campus and community constituency
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and efficiently manage daily work demands
• Ability to adapt to the varying challenges within the work environment
• Ability to communicate effectively utilizing verbal and written modes of communication
• Ability to work effectively within a team environment
• Demonstrated Leadership presence
• Champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion

 Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a higher education or nonprofit fundraising environment.
• Understanding of major gift fundraising principles and donor engagement strategies.
• Familiarity with Raiser's Edge NXT or other CRM systems.
• Proficiency in using prospect research platforms (e.g., iWave, DonorSearch, Windfall, etc.) and Microsoft Excel, with a strong ability to analyze, synthesize, and organize information from diverse sources.
• Experience leading research through a capital campaign.
• Knowledge of APRA standards for advancement research and donor privacy.

TO APPLY

Please submit your resume and a cover letter through our applicant portal at: https://jobs.grinnell.edu