Senior Director of Prospect Research

Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Associate Vice President of Advancement Services, the Senior Director oversees, manages, and directs all aspects of the prospect research program to support FSU’s Division of University Advancement’s fundraising goals They will focus on the discovery and evaluation of prospective donors, their interests and relationships, their inclination to give, and their philanthropic capacity by providing timely, relevant, and high-level intelligence and analysis of high-capacity donors to inform and support academic fundraising strategies and to maximize major and principal gift fundraising success.

Facilitate the day-to-day operations of prospect research, provides leadership in the development and enhancement of policies and procedures related to prospect research; the outlining and training or research methodologies; the establishment and enhancement of research products; the development and execution of quality control standards and processes; the management of the workload queue; assignment of all research requests; and the establishment and direction of a broad range of pro-active prospect identification projects.

Assist frontline fundraising staff in prioritizing prospect portfolios and encourage the timely review and assignment of newly identified prospects through regular one-on-one portfolio review meetings, bi-annual portfolio optimization, and collaborative prospect strategy. Develops plans and strategies for the management and expansion of the overall pool of major and principal gift prospects and donors through a broad range of proactive prospect identification projects. Works with the AVP of Advancement, Colleges, Schools, and Units, and the AVP of Advancement, Principal Gifts to ensure fundraiser portfolios are robust, contain strong, viable prospects, and are supported by a continual flow of newly identified and effectively rated prospective donors.

Manages, provides direction, and mentors a Tallahassee-based prospect research team who conducts research predominantly on individuals, but may include some corporations, and foundations using a wide variety of prospect research resources and prepare confidential high-level and well-written research reports for use by the President, Provost, Vice President of University Advancement, Deans, Directors of Development, senior management, and select volunteer leaders. Leads the team to develop accurately rated pools of prospects and donors available for FSU’s academic fundraising purposes.

Oversees all donor screenings and ratings, assigns research requests, coordinates proactive research including mining electronic screening overlay results, implements prospect research improvements all while assessing the current university and campaign needs, which may result in an increase in volume during peak times of the year.

Research and design systems to identify and qualify new major and principal gift donor prospects, utilizing all resources available. Identify, evaluate, and recommend current and potential major and principal gift prospects and assess their ability to financially support the university. Provide research and analysis of biographical, philanthropic, professional, and financial information of donors and prospects. Compile a history and status of the prospect's relationship with the University. Prepare written profiles, conduct due diligence reports, event bios and qualified lists to support the cultivation of individuals. Track prospects and donors through monitoring daily news, online "alerts," and utilizing internal information.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and six years of experience related to the job duties or in an advancement field; or a high school diploma/equivalent and experience equal to ten years related to the job duties or in an advancement field. (Note: post-high school education can substitute for experience at the equivalent rate.)

Preferred Qualifications

• Baccalaureate or higher degree
• Minimum of ten years of experience preferably in a higher education environment
• Minimum of seven to ten years in conceptualizing and developing proactive prospecting methodologies
• Six to eight years supervisory experience with demonstrated experience creating and managing staffing plans, teams, departmental budgets, annual work plans, etc.
• Computer literacy required; familiarity with Microsoft Office Wealth Engine, Target Analytics, Lexis Nexis, Foundation Directory, Dun & Bradstreet, and iWave Pro Platinum
• Experience working with corporate and government documents such as proxy statements, IRS Form 990, deeds, property tax assessments, salary estimates, and demographic assessments.
• Proven library and research techniques, emphasizing the ability to gather, evaluate and synthesize complex data from various sources, apply intelligence and interpretative insights and present information in a clear and cohesive manner
• Exceptional reading, technical writing and proofreading skills with the ability to synthesize and interpret high volumes of data Careful attention to detail, formatting and readability; ability to convey complex information straightforwardly and write concisely
• High degree of fluency in computer technologies, including proficiency with building Internet and web queries, manipulating, and retrieving data from complex database sources, managing news alerts and using electronic subscription services. Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet and database systems with an ability to also become comfortable quickly with the University’s alumni and donor databases
• Ability to apply good judgment, discretion, and a commitment to professional ethics and data security when dealing with highly confidential alumni, parent, student, family, donor and prospect information
• Must be a detail-oriented, self-starter with an ability to work independently and manage multiple projects and priorities to meet aggressive timelines and challenging deadlines