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Assistant Director, Prospect Research
Job No: 513541
Work Type: On Campus
Location: Normal, Illinois
Title: Assistant Director, Prospect Research
Department: Advancement & Foundation Operations
General Summary
This position is a key partner in developing strategies that inform cultivation and solicitation of major and principal gift prospects. Responsible for leading a comprehensive development research service for University Advancement, including managing prospect research initiatives identifying, acquiring, qualifying, rating, and tracking donors to determine capacity, interests, and likelihood to make philanthropic contributions. Independently uses resources to identify potential major gift support using creative research techniques, data analytics and electronic searching methodologies including qualifying, screening, and rating tools to ensure that fundraising initiatives have sufficient prospects to meet fundraising goals. Identifies new ways to secure the latest biographical and financial information of current and potential major gift donors from public resources and assisting in the maintenance of this information in the constituent donor database. In conjunction with the Director, facilitates prospect development and assignments, reviews all portfolios ensuring each Major Gift Officer has a balanced and viable collection of prospects, and analyzes team and division prospect trends and capacity. Assists with principal prospect research profiles and provide in-depth gift capacity analysis for the President and senior staff as needed. This position is an integral part of the development and execution of research policies and procedures requiring a solid knowledge of giving trends, data analytics, predictive modeling, and data mining to help drive fundraising strategies.
Additional Information
Prospect Development at Illinois State University is a part of Advancement Operations, one of four departments managed by University Advancement (UA). Prospect Development’s mission is to enhance Illinois State’s philanthropic endeavors by partnering with fundraisers to deliver timely information, moves management and data and prospect analysis. In doing so, we maximize the opportunity for private funding that benefits students, faculty, and the university’s strategic priorities.
Required Qualifications
1. Bachelor's degree
2. Three (3) years of significant and demonstrated professional level experience in prospect research, marketing/business research, higher education fundraising or research, project management experience using information systems, or related field.
3. Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize work, think critically, and manage diverse and competing priorities while meeting deadlines.
4. Advanced ability in Microsoft Office (Excel & Access)
5. Adhere to the highest ethical standards and standards of confidentiality.
6. A strong analytic background with proven data analysis skills.
7. Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with all staff.
8. Excellent organizational, communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.
9. Proven skills in documenting processes and training staff.
10. Ability to maintain a high level of poise and professionalism in all circumstances.
11. Demonstrated ability to take primary responsibility for diverse number of projects and to complete them in a timely manner with limited supervision
12. Ability to understand the process of developing proposals and gift agreements for donor giving priorities and opportunities.
13. Understanding of and competency in the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA) Basic and Advanced Skill Sets.
14. Demonstrate a willingness and ability to support a diverse and inclusive environment.
Desired Qualifications
1. Comprehensive understanding of advancement operations as a functional area
2. Experience with advancement database systems.
3. Experience with advanced prospect management work such as pipeline reviews and portfolio balancing.
4. Experience utilizing Tableau
5. Understanding of online prospect research resources and database management.
6. Self-motivation and discipline to regularly set and achieve work goals.
7. Appreciation of the value of higher education.
Work Hours
Core working hours are 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. Nights and weekends as needed.
Functional Expectations
Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
1. Remain at a workstation for extended periods
2. Move about in various locations across campus as needed to complete day-to-day work.
3. Effectively communicate on a daily basis.
Proposed Starting Date
May 2022
Salary Rate / Pay Rate
Pay is commensurate with qualifications and experience, combined with an excellent benefits package
Required Applicant Documents
Resume
Cover Letter
Reference List
Transcripts - See Special Instructions to Applicants for additional options
PLEASE NOTE: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"
Optional Applicant Documents
Certification of Retirement Annuity
PLEASE NOTE: These documents may be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"
Special Instructions for Applicants
Please fully complete the entire application including, but not limited to, the education and work experience portions. Please list all education and all jobs you have had. Do not leave gaps in employment. You must list all duties you performed in the job duties section (Phrases such as "See Resume" are not acceptable). Failure to follow any of these instructions may constitute an incomplete application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
College or university transcripts (may be unofficial) must be submitted prior to the application deadline in order to receive full consideration. Transcripts can either be uploaded with your application or submitted via the options listed below.
In order to be eligible for Veteran's Preference points on the exam, appropriate military service documentation, such as a DD214, must be submitted prior to the application deadline.
Transcripts and/or DD-214 paperwork may be faxed or mailed to Human Resources by the application deadline:
Fax: 309.438.0011, Attn: Breanna Crippen
Address: Illinois State University
Human Resources
Campus Box 1300
Normal, IL 61790-1300
The Civil Service examination for this classification is based on your application materials. No participation other than submission of applicant materials is required from applicants that qualify to take the exam. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score calculated based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register by exam score. After the application deadline, the names within the top three scores will be referred to the department for interview. The active register for this classification will be voided when the position is filled.
Contact Information for Applicants
Breanna Crippen
Human Resources
bcplese@ilstu.edu
(309) 438-8315
Important Information for Applicants
This position is subject to a criminal background investigation based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.
Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.
If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.
Application Opened: CST
Application Closes: CST
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