Director of Prospect Management and Research

• Builds and maintains processes to identify and facilitate the movement of prospects, aligning with the distinct needs of principal, major, and leadership giving initiatives.
• Manages a comprehensive prospect management program, creating mechanisms and processes to facilitate the movement of prospects in/out and up/down in the prospect pool; reports and manages an annual (and campaign) prospect pipeline; ensures processes for proactive and reactive assignments; conducts portfolio audits and serves as the team lead Prospect Management policy and related training needs.
• Oversees and conducts prospect research on individual prospects and donors including (1) briefing materials produced for the president and other senior leaders and (2) capacity ratings and other materials to support frontline development officers' cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts.
• Establishes and maintains best practice methodologies for research techniques, reporting templates, and all process documentation.

• Manages internal aspects of the Prospect Management and Research team, including budget planning, resource selection, vendor management, and thoughtful development and supervision of staff. Thoroughly and thoughtfully recruits, evaluates, and develops skills and competencies of a staff of six.
  
  
  • Hires, trains, evaluates, and proactively supervises staff, including temporary workers and contract/consulting partners.
  • Works creatively to ensure appropriate staffing levels for all areas and projects.
  • Thoughtfully designs and implements professional development plans for all staff to demonstrate growth and improvement in identified areas.
  • Creatively and supportively builds the component functions of Prospect Development (Research, Prospect Management, Analytics) into a seamless organization with fluid responsibilities and teamwork stemming from clear goals and objectives.
  
  
  
  
• Develops and maintains a participatory and inclusive annual planning process for continuous departmental improvement.

• Effectively partners with AVP and external Advancement leadership on Prospect Development metrics and policy; demonstrates a growth mindset with agility to pivot, learn, and build a program that meets the needs of Loyola University Chicago based on best practices, professional insight, and collaboration with others on the team.
• Builds strong and effective relationships with individuals and departments throughout the Advancement and larger LUC community that provide or benefit from research information; builds an effective liaison structure within team throughout Advancement.

• Trains, assists, and counsels Advancement and related staff on research and analysis information resources, techniques, and prospect management principles.
• Communicates regularly with Advancement staff on prospect management, research, and identification initiatives.
• Oversees training of all new Advancement staff members and ensures their compliance with policies.

• Establishes and maintains production and quality control standards for materials and analysis produced by the department regarding accuracy, timeliness, content, presentation, and consistency.

• Develops and refines efficient methods for reporting relevant productivity and tying contribution to Advancement efforts and progress.
• Partners with the Director of Information Services and Reporting, senior staff, and fundraisers on ad hoc analysis and standardized reporting needs on prospect and pipeline data.
• Leads the development of Prospect Management and Research strategic goals and direction in alignment with Advancement goals.

• Monitors and participates in relevant listservs, publications, and professional groups to stay informed about developments in research, prospect management, data management, and analytics.
• Serve as SME on an ongoing CRM conversion from Ellucian Advance to UCI ascend (a Salesforce product).
• Assists and counsels AVP and related partners on ad hoc project work as assigned and requested.

• A minimum of eight years of experience in Advancement, prospect research, and/or prospect management required
• Demonstrated experience positively managing a team, fostering professional development, and strong individual and group dynamics
• Demonstrated experience positively managing a program, accomplishing tangible Advancement and continual improvement in infrastructure, processes, and impact
• Superb interpersonal and communication skills, fostering an environment of collaboration to support strategy and unique Advancement needs
• Proficiency with Windows environment and standard MS Office suite: Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc. required
• Proficiency with databases, network-based electronic environments, and judicious use of Internet resources required
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills required
• Ability to achieve expert/" superuser" status on standard and proprietary databases required
• Demonstrated ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, accurately, and concisely required
• Scrupulous attention to matters of discretion and confidentiality required
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet short deadlines required
• Ability to express information clearly and concisely, whether verbally or in writing, required
• Discretion and confidentiality required

• Superb interpersonal and communication skills, fostering an environment of collaboration to support strategy and unique Advancement needs. Demonstrated superior collaborative skills to navigate a variety of personalities is essential.
• Exemplary writing skills required; demonstrated success in communicating strategy and project progress in written form through strategic plans, leadership status reports, training materials and documentation, project plans, etc.
• Ability to make effective and persuasive presentations to internal and external groups and individuals.

• Demonstrates a growth mindset, coupling industry knowledge and expertise with curiosity and openness to explore, learn, and create a program best suited to meet the needs of Loyola University Chicago
• Ability to apply principles of logical thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems while maintaining creativity in problem-solving.
• Ability to apply an ethical code and good judgment and to handle confidential materials and situations with sensitivity and discretion

• Familiarity with research resource materials consistent with APRA's Advanced Body of Knowledge preferred.
• Experience with applications such as Salesforce CRM, Advance Web, Business Objects, Raiser's Edge, and/or Blackbaud CRM preferred
• Required proficiency in information management and "power user" knowledge of standard Windows applications such as PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.
• Experience as a subject-matter-expert in a CRM conversion preferred

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion