Director, Research and Prospect Management

American Museum of Natural History; New York (NY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extensive benefits package

Job summary

The American Museum of Natural History is seeking a strategic, analytically rigorous Director, Research & Prospect Management to lead research, prospect management, and portfolio strategy in support of the Advancement team’s fundraising priorities.

You will oversee prospect research methodologies, narrative donor profiles, and data-informed decision making while collaborating across Advancement and with Museum leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• 10+ years of professional experience in prospect research and portfolio management in a complex nonprofit or cultural institution.
• Minimum of 4 years of management experience leading a team.
• Experience using financial databases, reviewing 990s, and producing high-quality research profiles.
• Familiarity with Raiser's Edge NXT and wealth screening tools (iWave, LexisNexis, RelSci, or similar).
• Strong writing skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, actionable research.
• Genuine affinity for the natural world and ability to engage authentically with the Museum's research and exhibitions.

Responsibilities

• Develop prospect research methodologies, standards, and best practices to support fundraising priorities.
• Produce narrative profiles on donors and prospects using financial databases and filings.
• Provide analysis and recommendations to guide leadership decisions.
• Monitor news and conduct reputational research on individuals and organizations connected to fundraising.
• Lead proactive prospect identification and pipeline development across Advancement.
• Oversee portfolio strategy, moves management, and data-related processes.
• Manage and develop a two-direct-report team and partner with cross-functional colleagues.

Skills

Prospect research

Portfolio management

Data analysis

Strong writing

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Tools

Raiser's Edge NXT

Wealth screening tools

LexisNexis

iWave

Job description

Director, Research and Prospect Management

The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world's preeminent scientific and cultural institutions, and has as its mission to discover, interpret, and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education, and exhibition. The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) seeks a strategic and analytically rigorous Director, Research & Prospect Management to lead the Museum's research, prospect management, portfolio strategy, and pipeline development work in support of the Advancement team's fundraising priorities.

Research & Analysis

• In partnership with the Vice President, Advancement Operations and Strategy, develop and implement prospect research methodologies, standards, and best practices that support the Museum's fundraising priorities.
• Produce narrative research profiles on donors, volunteer leadership, and other prospects, drawing on financial databases, 990 filings, and other holdings-related sources.
• Provide thoughtful analysis and recommendations that help Advancement and Museum leadership understand the significance of research findings and determine appropriate next steps.
• Bring a strong data and analytical orientation to the role, using metrics, trends, and modeling outputs to inform research priorities and decisions.
• Monitor news and conduct reputational research on individuals and organizations connected to the Museum's fundraising efforts.
• Exercise sound judgment in handling sensitive research findings, determining what to include and how to communicate it professionally.

Prospecting & Pipeline Development

• Lead proactive prospect identification efforts across Advancement to build and strengthen fundraiser portfolios and identify pipeline gaps and opportunities.
• Partner with Advancement and Corporate colleagues to develop prospect pipelines for emerging Advancement priorities, strategic opportunities, leadership travel, and Museum events.
• Build a more intentional system for leveraging Museum events, exhibition openings, and other institutional gatherings as prospecting opportunities, including attendee review, identification of high-potential prospects, post-event follow-up, and communication with the appropriate fundraising teams.

Committee Support & Volunteer Leadership

• Serve as the Vice President's primary partner on the Committee on Trustees' work, managing the committee's prospecting and research needs from start to finish for each meeting.
• Surface, assess, and track prospective candidates for Board and volunteer leadership consideration.
• Partner with frontline fundraisers to build a pipeline of prospects for volunteer leadership groups across Individual Giving and Advancement Events.

Portfolio Strategy & Management

• Oversee how prospects are segmented and assigned within Raiser's Edge NXT.
• Strengthen portfolio reviews, establish clearer assignment criteria, and apply modeling and wealth screening data to determine portfolio fit.
• Develop and refine moves management policies, portfolio review practices, and database-related processes.
• Ensure fundraiser portfolios are appropriately sized and composed to support effective qualification, cultivation, and solicitation.

Data, Technology, and Innovation

• Strengthen the use of data, modeling, wealth screening, and prospecting tools to inform research priorities, prospect strategy, and portfolio decisions.
• Partner with Advancement Services colleagues to support effective use of Raiser's Edge NXT, modeling outputs, and other data sources.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and insight through updated workflows, tools, and research practices.
• Stay current on trends and best practices in prospect research, prospect management, fundraising analytics, AI, and data-informed fundraising.

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Manage and develop a team of two direct reports, a manager, and a coordinator, creating clear paths for growth, setting measurable goals, and fostering a collaborative and high-performing team culture.
• Partner with Advancement and Corporate colleagues by providing research, analysis, and recommendations that inform cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and portfolio management decisions.
• Work closely with Advancement Services on database policy, process, and data maintenance.

The expected salary range for the Director, Research and Prospect Management is $140,000/annual - $165,000/annual. The AMNH offers an extensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of our dedicated and diverse community.

Pay will be determined based on several factors. The hiring range for the position at commencement is based on the type of work and the scope of responsibilities. The salary and placement offered is based on a number of individualized factors, including, but not limited to, skills, knowledge, training, education, credentials, areas of specialization and depth and scope of experience.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field.
• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in prospect research and portfolio management in a complex nonprofit, cultural, or mission-driven institution.
• Minimum of 4 years of management experience, including demonstrated experience successfully leading and managing a team.
• Experience using financial databases, reviewing 990s and other financial holdings, and producing high-quality research profiles.
• Familiarity with Raiser's Edge NXT (strongly preferred) and wealth screening tools (such as iWave, LexisNexis, RelSci, or similar).
• Comfort with analytics, Excel, and modeling outputs, with the ability to translate data into portfolio and prospecting strategy.
• Experience with moves management systems, policy development, and portfolio review or assignment frameworks.
• Strong writing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, useful, and actionable research.
• Strong analytical, research, organizational, and project management skills.
• Genuine affinity for the natural world and the ability to engage authentically with the Museum's research, exhibitions, and scientific work.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for prolonged periods.
• Must be able to move about the Museum campus.

Category: Full-Time

Total Number of Scheduled Hours Per Pay Period: 70

Union Status: Non-Union

FLSA: Exempt

Expected Salary Minimum: $140,000/annual

Expected Salary Maximum: $165,000/annual

The American Museum of Natural History is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate with respect to employment, or admission or access to Museum facilities, programs or activities on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, marital status, partnership status, gender (including sexual harassment), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, pregnancy and lactation accommodations, alienage or citizenship status, current or former participation in the uniformed services, status as a veteran, caregiver, pre-employment marijuana testing, sexual and reproductive health decisions, salary history, national or ethnic origin, height, weight, or on account of any other basis prohibited by applicable City, State, or Federal law. Additional protections are afforded in employment based on arrest or conviction record, status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and sex offenses, unemployment status, and credit history, in each case to the extent provided by law.