Advancement Researcher

Position Summary
Proactively identify and qualify prospects and help expand, organize and prioritize prospect pools to grow the prospect pipeline and ensure the best prospects are actively qualified and managed by development officers.

Essential Functions (other non-essential duties may be assigned)

• Independently and proactively identify and qualify prospective donors'in particular, major gift ($25,000 ) prospects
• Perform prospect research, analyze, synthesize and summarize information in the form of written, high-quality prospect profiles and reports
• Mine internal databases, external publications, online resources, and leadership networks to identify alumni, parent, corporate, and foundation prospects for assignment and solicitation
• Assess and identify new philanthropic opportunities for existing donors
• Provide internal reporting on metrics, pipelines, and gift officer actions
• Coordinate prospect management system, working closely with the Director of Leadership Gifts
• Complete various prospect management tasks, including (but not limited to) prospect coding, tracking, status monitoring, reporting, and the review of dynamic information such as contact notes and account comments
• Consistently maintaining and cleaning RE records to ensure accurate constituent information
• Prepare detailed, accurate research briefings for Executive Leadership and gift officers for the purposes of donor cultivation and solicitation
• Build and execute RE reports and lists as requested to assist gift officers in managing qualified prospects
• Cross train in gift and data entry and serve as a back-up to the Advancement Services Specialist

Position(s) Directly Supervised
N/A

Required Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to synthesize data found in research into clear, concise written research documents, paying attention to accuracy, detail, and pertinence of the information
• Skills in conducting donor research, with experience in recognizing and assessing wealth indicators and giving capacity as well as identifying prospects
• Knowledge of research techniques, methodology, and online and print resources, including commercial software to identify prospects through constituent list segmentation, wealth screening and peer screening. Experience with LexisNexis, Wealth Engine, Foundation Center Online, Form 990s and SEC Documents and Raiser's Edge is preferred
• Knowledge of moves management and prospect management best practices
• Excellent organizational skills that demonstrate the ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects and prioritize those requests to meet deadlines
• Advanced skill in Microsoft Excel functions such as VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and multiple-level sorting and filtering
• Intermediate skill in Microsoft Word functions such as mail merge, track changes and tables
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively with all Advancement staff and colleagues across campus
• Knowledge of working with a relational database
• Knowledge of prospect research ethics, including statements by APRA and CASE
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

• Frequently required to remain stationary and perform work on a computer or mobile device.
• Frequently required to communicate with others in person or via email, video conferencing, chat applications, social media, and/or telephone.
• Occasional after-hours work required (nights, weekends, holidays) to assist with events.

Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree required; 1–2 years of experience preferred in prospect research and/or prospect management or similar positions involving internet-based research, biographical or genealogical research, financial analysis or data management. The equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Employment will require a successful background check.

Eckerd College is committed to fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student body, and an inclusive campus community. Eckerd is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Eckerd College is especially interested in attracting candidates from historically underrepresented groups.