Associate Director, Prospect Research

The University Of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 67,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago is seeking an Associate Director for Prospect Research to join its Advancement team. This role is integral in expanding the prospect pool and involves conducting thorough research, leading projects in wealth screening, and ensuring compliance with due diligence protocols. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in prospect research, strong analytical skills, and proficiency in relevant databases.

Benefits

Health and retirement benefits

Paid time off

Flexible working schedule

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include a college degree in a related field.
• 5-7 years of relevant work experience is required.
• Proficiency in fundraising databases and research tools is essential.

Responsibilities

• Conducts research on prospects to support fundraising efforts.
• Leads wealth screening projects to identify potential donors.
• Manages due diligence for prospect evaluations.

Skills

Research Skills

Analytical Thinking

Communication

Attention to Detail

Education

College or university degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Salesforce

iWave

LexisNexis

WealthX

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Department

Booth Advancement: Prospect Management 3

About the Department

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business is the second-oldest business school in the U.S. and second to none when it comes to influencing business education and business practices. Since 1898, the school has produced ideas and leaders that shape the world of business. Their rigorous, discipline-based approach to business education transforms students into confident, effective, respected business leaders prepared to face the toughest challenges.

Chicago Booth has the finest set of facilities of any business school in the world. Each of the four campuses (two in Chicago, one in London, and one in Hong Kong) reflects the architectural traditions of its environs while offering a state-of-the-art learning environment.

Chicago Booth is proud to claim:
-an unmatched faculty.
-degree and open enrollment programs offered on three continents.
-a global body of nearly 56,000 accomplished alumni.
-strong and growing corporate relationships that provide a wealth of lifelong career opportunities.

As part of the world-renowned University of Chicago, Chicago Booth shares the University's core values that shape the distinctive intellectual culture. At Booth, they constantly question and test ideas, and seek proof. This extraordinarily effective approach to business leads to new ideas and innovative solutions. Seven of the Booth faculty members have won Nobel Prizes for these ideas - the first business school to achieve this accomplishment.

For more information about the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, please visit: http://www.chicagobooth.edu/.

Job Summary

The Associate Director, Prospect Research, is part of a prospect research team responsible for increasing the size and quality of the Chicago Booth prospect pool, with an emphasis placed on high-level Major ($100K-$9.9M) and Principal ($10M+) Gift prospects. The Associate Director conducts prospect research on individual prospects and donors, including capacity ratings and other materials to support frontline development officers’ cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts. In addition, the Associate Director initiates and leads prospect research and pool expansion projects, including prospect wealth screening projects to generate leads for leadership annual giving, individual giving, and principal giving. They also serve as the due diligence lead for the prospect research team by ensuring strict compliance with processes and timelines. Lastly, they assist with technology projects as it relates to the University’s constituent database including scoping and testing of prospect research objects and vendor integrations.

Responsibilities

• Uses electronic and print resources to develop and synthesize information on prospects to produce clear and actionable research including background, career, financial capacity, philanthropic interests, and nature of their relationship to the University and Chicago Booth.
• Identifies new prospects in order to grow the Chicago Booth prospect pool, participates in strategic prospect identification projects, and assists with regional portfolio building projects.
• Leads regular wealth screening projects by preparing data sets, coordinating with vendors, and distributing leadership annual and major gifts prospects based on portfolio needs and organizational objectives. Consistent documentation and ongoing evaluation of processes to refine quality of leads generated required.
• Leads the prospect research team’s due diligence program and process in collaboration with university partners. Proactively completes due diligence screens on upcoming solicitations, assists with ad-hoc reputational risks requests, and communicates with key stakeholders in a timely and proactive manner to ensure compliance.
• Assists the Director of Prospect Development and Campaign Management with scoping and testing various prospect research technology projects related to the CRM including upgrades to various data fields and reports, conversion of data objects, integrations of vendor tools, etc.
• Participates in and creates materials for training of new Advancement staff on working with Prospect Research as well as make recommendations on how training can be refined.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the data available in the University’s constituent database including prospect research and prospect management data entry and maintenance.
• Develops and demonstrates skill in reading and interpreting complex documents, including regulatory filings, and proficiency in terms used in the financial services industry.
• Stays current on industry trends and practices through associations, professional colleagues, and other sources.
• Serves as a point of contact to Office of Advancement staff on prospect research protocols and products, serves as research team liaison to specific fundraisers and fundraising teams as assigned, and partners with internal constituents to identify specific research needs.
• Contributes to team goals toward achieving overall department objectives.
• Has a deep understanding of prospect research, prospect management, strategic planning and market research on donors prospects.
• Provides guidance to research analysts, train staff members on fundraising, report writing, and research.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree.

Experience:

• A minimum four years of industry experience in prospect research.
• Background in an institution of higher education.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency with fundraising databases such as Salesforce.
• Proficiency with prospect research tools and applications such as iWave, LexisNexis, WealthX, PitchBook, Kaleidoscope, and/or Aidentified.
• Proficiency with the Windows environment and standard MS Office suite.

Preferred Competencies

• Self-motivated and work well with and through others.
• Work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet short deadlines.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills and the demonstrated ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, accurately, and concisely.
• Knowledge of current trends in fundraising including benchmarking and metrics.
• Strong attention to detail and scrupulous attention to matters of discretion and confidentiality.
• Professional demeanor, including tact, discretion, and a customer service-oriented approach.

Working Conditions

• This position is currently expected to work a minimum three days per week in the office.
• Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business.
• Work evenings and weekends on occasion.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Alumni Relations & Development

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$67,000.00 - $86,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook .

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu .Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.