Prospect Researcher

• Summary

The University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary (USML) is the major seminary and graduate school of theology for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Mundelein Seminary is one of the largest priesthood preparation programs in the United States having graduated over 4,000 students since 1926 and serving thirty (30) dioceses in the United States and abroad.

The Prospect Researcher will collaborate with the Vice President of Development (VP) and other department leaders on the systematic identification, determination, analysis, and maintenance of relevant information on major gift prospects. The incumbent analyzes, interprets and formats biographical, professional, and financial information needed to facilitate the cultivation and solicitation of private funds from individual and corporate donors by USML development staff.

The incumbent will actively participate in fundraising strategy meetings to support fundraising activity and make recommendations to maximize the design and effectiveness of donor portfolios. In partnership with the Sr. Director of Development Operations they will be responsible for implementing strategies that will enhance the work of the public-facing - development -staff, including but not limited to portfolio’s, donor segmenting, and moves management strategies.

Core Leadership Functions

• Facilitates development and achievement of professional and personal goals, for self and staff.
• Models University’s values of service, innovation, and teamwork. Holds others accountable for living these values.
• Fosters a challenging and compassionate environment, recognizes good performance, acting on feedback.
• Establishes and maintains high standards for quality of service to internal and external constituents.
• Supports the mission of the seminary.

Essential Job Functions

• Pro-actively utilizes advanced research techniques and resources to identify and assess the viability of donors, qualify existing donors, across donor types, and help to prioritize and grow portfolios.
• Interpret complex documents such as corporate proxy statements, insider stock filings, and create concise research profiles distilled from biographical information, financial data, news, philanthropic history, and other sources.
• Prepares complex reports for use by development staff and senior administration.
• Prepares complex

• Identifies, develops, analyzes, and maintains information on major gift prospects.
• Determines wealth indicators and liabilities and uses this data to provide appropriate financial capacity ratings.
• Analyzes, interprets, updates, and formats biographical, professional, and financial information into concise report formats for various fundraising constituencies.
• Utilizes a variety of research techniques and resources to prepare background reports, profiles, and other information.
• Provide research profiles for events and meetings, to assist development in prospect identification and cultivation.
• Subscribe and monitor media for top prospects, large donors, foundations, peer organizations and the like. Alert development team of important industry or political news regarding their donors.
• Continuously evaluates the scope and quality of available research services and industry best practices for improved effectiveness including proactive prospecting, prospect research, tracking and reporting. Maintain process and procedure documentation around business rules.
• Presents appropriate materials in response to requests for information, including but not limited to, in-depth individual profiles, summary information to support major solicitation and/or stewardship events, and other development-related information as requested by development staff.
• Assists with the identification and assignment of new potential prospects to university development staff.
• Organizes and maintains prospect records and files, including continuous maintenance of accurate databases and central files to ensure data is accurately captured and utilized to fullest extent to help development prioritize their portfolios and deepen their relationships with donors and prospects.
• Maintains the confidentiality of sensitive information and ethical standards. Maintains knowledge and understanding of the University’s mission, programs, and fundraising needs and goals.
• Pursues professional development opportunities to stay abreast of changes and new developments in the field of development research.
• Maintain relationship with existing system contacts (i.e., Raiser’s Edge) and recommend tools/Modules for additional investment to enhance prospect research efforts in service of revenue goals.
• Performs similar or related duties as assigned or required.

Ancillary Job Functions

• Ensures compliance with all university policies and standards, (adheres to best practices in donor record confidentiality).
• Models our values of service, innovation, and teamwork.
• Fosters a challenging and compassionate work environment, recognizing strong performance, and listening and acting on feedback.
• Must demonstrate understanding, respect, and support for Catholic Church teaching, mission, and values.
• Donor centric focus.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Education and Experience – An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited University or College, required in computer science, database management, or Management Information Systems (MIS), preferred.
• Minimum 3 to 5 years of experience with non-profit development, research, and prospect management and/or higher education-based organizations, preferred.
• General knowledge & understanding of fundraising, donor relations and event management.
• Experience working with CRM’s (fundraising database systems); Blackbaud products (i.e., Raiser’s Edge) required.
• Experience using complex relations databases for storage and retrieval of prospect data.
• Experience ascertaining public information for donor prospects using a variety of resources.
• Knowledge of current trends in fundraising and donor prospecting.
• Experience in utilizing statistical practices and tools, excellent analytical and quantitative skills, including the ability to manipulate, analyze, and interpret data and statistical models.
• Must understand online giving/event registration platforms (like Online Express, Eventbrite, Give Smart, etc.), and makes recommendations based on data trends to increase online engagement and online solicitations.
• Required proficiency in Microsoft Excel database management and programming concepts, fluency with Excel formulas: VLOOKUP, IF, AND, OR etc. and pivot tables.
• Knowledge of Crystal Reports XI preferred.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, and a safe driving record, required.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities which may be representative, but not all-inclusive of those commonly associated with this position.
• Discretion with, and experience managing prospect information with confidentiality. Ability to prioritize and execute multiple projects under demanding deadline working quickly without sacrificing quality.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail required.
• Ability to work independently in a deadline-oriented team environment required.
• Comfort and effective translation between end user needs and database output. Evidence of strong project management skills, ability to handle various projects, while addressing daily needs, meeting multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving skills and critical thinking skills, ability to exercise independent initiative as appropriate, strong attention to detail.
• Ability to review, modify and develop systems for data entry that will allow for optimum reporting, and ensure strong data maintenance.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and constituents.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including proficiency in editing, spelling, grammar; accurate and efficient data entry and word processing skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.

Work Environment– Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• General office conditions, university conditions.
• Exposed to weather conditions outside, occasionally, during events.
• Genuinely support and work with others in a Catholic environment.
• The person must be sensitive to organizational needs, employee goodwill, and the mission, of the Catholic Church,
• A commitment to the belief that all people have the right to dignity, respect, opportunity, and full community inclusion.
• Possess a philosophy that is consistent with the Mission, Vision and Values of the USML.
• Neat in appearance.

Physical Abilities that are commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Physically able to perform the duties as assigned including the ability to lift to thirty (30) pounds occasionally.
• Ability to stand, sit, or walk for extended periods of time.
• Ability to routinely ascend two to four sets of steps multiple times during the day.
• Minimum travel, occasional evening and weekend work, and the flexibility to adjust to other department/business needs.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $38,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Mundelein, IL 60060: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Research: 3 years (Preferred)
• Social & Political Science Occupations: 3 years (Preferred)

Work Location: One location