Job ID: 323518
Job Title: Development Researcher
Job Code: 9718D2
Location: Twin Cities
Empl Group: Acad Prof and Admin
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Two years of work experience in non-profit prospect research, preferably in higher education, or one or more years of comparable work experience in a closely-related research industry such as business research, law research, or library research.
• Familiarity with current research technologies and information search techniques, including online library sources, pay-subscription sources, public records, and Internet search.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to analyze and report a wide range of research findings; experience developing presentations and leading training, professional meetings or team projects.
• Demonstrated working with data in a wide variety of formats, including Excel and Access.
• Demonstrated understanding of major gifts fundraising process/strategies and the contributions and integration of data management and analysis to process/strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize complex tasks with multiple deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced production environment.
Preferred Qualifications
• Three or more years research experience in a research production environment.
• Demonstrated experience querying data, managing electronic screenings, creating prospect management models and/or designing constituent surveys.
• Experience using data and knowledge in strategic decision making, to improve processes and customer service, and to transfer and apply knowledge to other functions within a fundraising organization.
About the Job
General Position Description
This position is responsible for gathering, analyzing, and managing prospect research information to help advance the University’s development program on the Prospect Development team. Prospect Development is a strategic department at UMF, focusing on providing research, prospect management, principal giving services and analytics to develop portfolios and prospect pipelines. Prospect Development team members collaborate with development officers and are at the forefront with foundation leadership to provide information with actionable insight, helping to clarify priorities, increasing overall portfolio philanthropic capacity, and partnering to optimize portfolios. This position serves as a prospect researcher experienced in production, analysis, tracking, campaigns, customer service, and research deliverables.
Specific Responsibilities
Prospect Research
• Research individuals, corporations and foundations, using online proprietary donor management system, subscription databases, and University library resources, as well as public and government websites.
• Analyze data and synthesize results to assess financial capacity, philanthropic tendencies, giving propensity, linkages to campus, and other information to aid in the development process; produce accurate, detailed background reports.
• Employ research, analysis and reporting strategies useful to the prospect development stages and in proportion to prospect/donor value.
Customer Experience Management
• Act as service manager and alternate or primary point of contact for assigned research projects, employing customer relationship strategies to ensure positive service experiences, proactively discover ongoing needs, and recommend approaches to meet those needs.
• Partner with colleagues as the primary collegiate point of contact for research needs as required, especially to support high priority campaign-related work.
• Collaborate with supervisor and research colleagues to identify and respond to opportunities for improved customer service, organizational efficiencies and resource enhancement.
• Provide back up to other functional areas, such as analytics and quality functions.
Prospecting/Database Management
• Identify, evaluate and prioritize potential donors using database queries and analysis.
• Input, utilize and manage relevant prospect information within prospect database.
Project Management
• Manage multiple projects or customers, requests and initiatives, with frequently competing deadlines, ensuring timely project completion and delivery of high-quality products.
• Act as back-up liaison between collegiate units and internal Foundation departments when needed; guide and follow up on internal resources, as appropriate.
• Provide creative and resourceful approaches to research, prospecting, and reporting challenges.
Other Departmental Activities
• Stay current on leading industry trends; transfer and apply expertise. Maintain and expand research expertise with continuing education about new sources, search methods, and relevant information technologies.
• Develop project proposals, work plans, reports, or other written documents.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by manager.
*Maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive information and material in an ethical and professional manner.
About the Department
University of Minnesota Foundation
The University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF) serves as the central development office for the University of Minnesota. The Foundation raises and manages gifts from individuals and organizations to support the mission of the University. UMF includes development professionals working in dedicated medicine and health areas, regional development, and University-wide giving, as well as central services staff who support the U’s development enterprise through functions such as finance, information systems, and marketing and communications. Guided by its vision, mission, and values, UMF seeks to engage the private sector to inspire greatness at the University of Minnesota.
Original posting / application information