Senior Director – Prospect Development

Jobtailor; Oxford (OH); On-site; USD 95,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in the United States seeks a strategic leader to guide the Prospect Development team, shaping research policies and portfolio strategies. You will drive KPIs, mentor staff, and align initiatives with senior leadership’s fundraising priorities.

You’ll oversee research tools, ensure data quality, manage budgets, and partner with IT and BI to leverage analytics for major gifts across multiple foundations and individuals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising focusing on prospect management and research.
• Minimum 5 years of management experience.
• Mastery of prospect research and relationship management for individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Experience transforming prospect research and management functions using advanced analytics and technology.
• Experience evaluating complex issues, identifying solutions, and implementing strategic plans.
• Experience creating prospect identification plans aligned with fundraising priorities.
• Experience adapting prospect strategy management, tracking, and reporting for different prospect segments.
• Demonstrated success leading prospect and management teams securing major gifts and blended gifts.
• Ability to perform complex analyses using data-mining techniques.
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex financial disclosure documents for wealth assessment.
• Ability to interact effectively with executive staff.
• Commitment to best practices and operational efficiency.
• Expertise in prospect management, portfolio strategy, and lifecycle progression.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• CRM proficiency with Slate, Salesforce, Blackbaud Advancement, or similar.
• Commitment to data quality and standards.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders with discretion and professionalism.
• Resume and cover letter required.
• Criminal background check required.
• Participation in E-Verify

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and vision for the Prospect Development team.
• Lead development of prospect management policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Establish performance metrics and KPIs for research and management activities.
• Evaluate complex donor portfolios and guide strategic-plan execution.
• Communicate analytical insights to senior leadership.
• Oversee talent development, budget, tools, and vendor relationships.
• Oversee the prospect management system for quality and consistency.
• Assess and assign donors and prospects for 45+ gift officers.
• Participate in moves management meetings and portfolio reviews.
• Manage prospect assignment and clearance with Executive Directors.
• Establish pipeline guidelines and workflows for principal-giving strategies.
• Implement prospect research covering biographic, financial, and philanthropic data.
• Manage alerts and proactive research tools for principal-gifts prospects.
• Assess research queues and recommend process improvements.
• Collaborate on database screening and analysis with IT and BI.
• Incorporate new data into research systems to discover donors.
• Develop and mentor staff and oversee hiring and onboarding.
• Define long-term team structures aligned with leadership priorities.
• Monitor the prospect development budget and allocate resources.
• Engage in professional development to stay current on methodologies and technology.

Skills

Prospect Management

Data Analysis

Advanced Analytics

Team Leadership

Communication

Project Management

Budget Monitoring

CRM Proficiency

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Slate

Salesforce

Blackbaud Advancement

Prospect Management System

Research Tools

Database Screening

Vendor Management

Job description

• Provide strategic direction and vision for the Prospect Development team


• Lead development of prospect management and research policies, procedures, protocols, strategies, goals, and best practices


• Establish performance metrics and KPIs for prospect research and management activities


• Evaluate complex donor portfolio and research challenges and guide strategic-plan execution


• Communicate analytical insights and data-driven conclusions to senior and divisional leadership


• Oversee talent development, role clarity, performance expectations, team capabilities, budget, tools, subscriptions, and vendor relationships


• Oversee the prospect management system and ensure quality and consistency of prospect research and management activities


• Assess and assign donors and prospects for more than 45 gift officers


• Participate in moves management meetings and quarterly portfolio reviews


• Manage prospect assignment, reassignment, and clearance in collaboration with Executive Directors


• Establish prospect pipeline guidelines and workflows and collaborate on principal-giving prospect strategies


• Implement prospect research covering biographic, financial, and philanthropic information


• Manage alerts and proactive research tools for principal-gifts prospects


• Assess prospecting procedures and research queues and recommend process improvements


• Collaborate on database screening and analysis with Prospect Identification, Information Technology, and Business Intelligence departments


• Incorporate new data into research systems to uncover donors and update prospect information


• Develop and mentor staff and oversee hiring and onboarding


• Define long‑term team structures and responsibilities aligned with senior leadership priorities


• Monitor the prospect development budget and recommend resource allocation


• Participate in professional development to remain current on methodologies, technology, and industry best practices

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree required


• Minimum 7 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, focused on prospect management and research for individuals, corporations, and foundations


• Minimum 5 years of management experience


• Mastery of prospect research and relationship management for individuals, corporations, and foundations


• Experience transforming prospect research and management functions using advanced analytics and technology


• Experience evaluating complex issues, identifying solutions, and implementing strategic plans


• Experience creating prospect identification plans aligned with fundraising priorities


• Experience adapting prospect strategy management, tracking, and reporting for different prospect segments


• Demonstrated success leading prospect and management teams securing major gifts and blended gifts


• Ability to perform complex analyses using data-mining techniques


• Ability to analyze and interpret complex financial disclosure documents for wealth assessment


• Ability to interact effectively with all organizational levels, including executive staff


• Commitment to best practices and operational efficiency


• Expertise in prospect management, portfolio strategy, and lifecycle progression


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills


• CRM proficiency with Slate, Salesforce, Blackbaud Advancement, or similar


• Commitment to data quality and standards


• Ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders with discretion and professionalism


• Resume and cover letter required


• Criminal background check required


• Participation in E-Verify

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in prospect management and research, utilizing advanced analytics and technology to drive strategic fundraising initiatives. Proven ability to lead teams, develop talent, and implement effective prospect strategies aligned with organizational goals.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Prospect Research Mastery


• Nonprofit Fundraising Experience


• CRM Proficiency (Slate, Salesforce, Blackbaud Advancement)


• Strategic Plan Execution


• Team Leadership and Development

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Prospect Management


• Data Analysis


• Financial Disclosure Analysis


• Advanced Analytics


• Prospect Identification Plans


• Data-Mining Techniques


• Performance Metrics Establishment


• Process Improvement


• Portfolio Strategy


• KPI Development

Soft Skills

• Effective Communication


• Interpersonal Skills


• Project Management


• Professionalism


• Commitment to Best Practices

Certifications & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree


• Criminal Background Check


• E-Verify Participation

Industry Keywords

• Nonprofit Fundraising


• Major Gifts


• Blended Gifts


• Donor Portfolio Evaluation


• Philanthropic Information

Tools & Technologies

• Prospect Management System


• Research Tools


• Database Screening


• Vendor Management


• Budget Monitoring