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Assistant Director of Advancement Research and Prospect Management

Position Number:    08P222

Department:     University Development

Full-time/Part-time Status:   100% FTE

Salary Minimum:    $45,500/yr

Pay Grade:  S04

Submit: Resume and three references

Apply to:  Lisa Hornick, Director of Advancement Research & Prospect Management, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton, OH 45435

Closing Date:  April 7, 2008 for first consideration-open until filled

Education and Experience:   Bachelor's Degree; at least four years of prospect research experience in a non-profit setting (preferably academic), or a combination of research and fundraising experience involving regular collaboration with a prospect research team on projects; however, a minimum of six years experience in library or market research may be considered. Experience with fundraising (donor tracking/preferably Banner) software. Demonstrated experience with data querying, mining, and reporting. Excellent quantitative analysis skills, attention to detail and the ability to think strategically. Ability to use technology to gather, interpret, organize and present data. Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office software (particularly Excel) and the products commonly used in fund-raising research (such as Lexis-Nexis). Proficiency in implementing proactive prospecting methodologies, understanding wealth indicators, and calculating donor gift capacity. Working knowledge of fundraising culture and fundraising terms, including donor types, prospect stages and gift vehicles. Must be able to work independently with very little supervision & exercise independent judgment. Demonstrated project and time management skills. Demonstrated record of initiative, collaboration, complex problem solving, and adaptability. Excellent written and interpersonal skills, with experience facilitating meetings, leading project teams, giving presentations, and forming productive partnerships with internal and external constituencies. High motivation and creativity; commitment to professional ethics, donor confidentiality and customer service.

Preferred: Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Library Science, Marketing, Statistics, or related field; major fund-raising campaign experience; familiarity with Sungard's Banner database system and querying & reporting using Cognos; knowledge of Wright State's mission and programs, and familiarity with Dayton-area businesses, VIPs, and philanthropic community; supervisory experience.

Working Conditions: Must be comfortable working in front of a laptop computer; must be willing to work remotely and be willing to travel for research, training, and professional development.

Position Description:  

Analytics: Using careful and independent judgment, proactively seek new major gift ($25,000+, with an emphasis on individuals who have capacity to give $100,000+) and high-level annual gift ($10,000-$24,999) prospects through data mining techniques, push technology and demographic searches. Perform complex and high quality data analysis and present data related to the fundraising activities and constituent bases of WSU, as well as general philanthropic and economic trends, through a combination of presentations and written & graphical reports; as part of this function, provide leadership to all division-initiated alumni & donor surveys. This extensive data analysis will be critical to informing Development next-steps. Applying solid problem-solving skills, initiate and manage other projects related to the analysis of internal data, including possible new standards for tracking extraneous external data and working with shadow databases. Oversee occasional electronic screening of database; select vendor, negotiate prices, determine screening population, and interpret and process the results. Assist Director of ARPM with benchmarking, reporting, and client service feedback, which will include significant personal interaction with major gift officers and other internal clients. Support the Annual Giving program in efforts to refine general calling segments and special appeals. Identify data clean-up issues and recommend value-added solutions.

Research & Prospect Management: Prepare profiles on individuals, corporations, and foundations to capture biographic, wealth and philanthropic interest information, focusing on the needs of specific assigned colleges; other services to these colleges include recommending invitees for campus events, recommending nominees for awards and advisory/committee positions, and facilitating team meetings with major gift officers, deans, vice presidents, faculty & staff. Serve as active participant in all prospect strategy meetings. Assist with special research and prospect management projects, such as peer screenings, database conversions, data integrity projects, donor/board list acquisition, etc.. Assist with training professional staff as needed on database use, prospect tracking, and research techniques.

Supervision of Student Research Assistant(s) and Other Duties: Hire, train, and supervise student research assistant(s) who will be primarily responsible for updating the database with information such as donor/board lists, event attendees, and special demographic updates and exclusion codes generated out of the phonathon program; the assistant director will be involved in generating the reports necessary to provide the students with this information. Assume director's responsibilities in his/her absence & assist director in establishing research-related policies, procedures and standards. Serve as a Wright State representative to professional associations such as the Ohio Prospect Research Network, Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement, or the Association of Fundraising Professionals, either as a board member, speaker, or paying member. Other duties as assigned.