Director of Prospect Research

The Director of Prospect Research provides strategic leadership for prospect development, research, portfolio management, and fundraising analytics. This position partners closely with Advancement leadership and frontline fundraisers to expand the prospective donor pipeline, optimize portfolios, and deliver data-driven insights. This position designs and implements institutional strategies for prospect identification and data utilization to support the college's comprehensive fundraising campaigns and long-term philanthropic growth. This position is responsible for conducting prospect research and creating relevant materials including briefings.

Reed College offers an exceptional benefits package, including comprehensive medical and dental insurance options for you and your dependents, 403(b) retirement plan with 10% employer contribution (after one year of service), educational assistance for employees and their children, 22 days of paid vacation, paid holidays, half-day Fridays in the summer, and many other campus amenities. This is a full-time role with typical work hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a one-hour unpaid lunch. 

The starting salary range for this position is $82,000-90,000. Pay offers are contingent upon experience and are determined through an internal pay assessment. This is an exempt position in grade 8.

Who You Are

• You have experience in prospect research of complex individual, family, foundation, and corporate philanthropy.
• You are a consistent strategist that is able to identify relationships and connections among prospective donors.
• You are a collaborative and relational team member and work well with a variety of personality types.
• You are proactive in identifying opportunities to enhance fundraising strategy and elevate gift officer performance.
• You are able to produce and translate data to drive initiatives and departmental goals.
• You are forward looking, innovative, and creative.
• You are comfortable serving as an advisor to a diverse set of team members, including frontline gift officers and college leadership.
• You are able to balance strategic leadership with personal goals relating to prospect research conducted and briefings produced.

What You'll Do

Prospect Development Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and lead Reed's comprehensive prospect development strategy to identify, qualify, and advance prospective donors capable of making principal, major, and planned gifts
• Design and implement proactive prospect identification initiatives that expand the donor pipeline using internal and external data resources
• Train fundraising staff on prospect management practices, research interpretation, and portfolio management
• May supervise staff

Prospect Research and Portfolio Management

• Develop and oversee Reed's portfolio management strategy to support fundraiser productivity and donor engagement. Lead annual and ongoing portfolio review processes with frontline fundraisers and leadership, and monitor portfolio health to recommend prospect assignments.
• Conduct prospect research supporting principal gifts, campaign initiatives, and strategic fundraising efforts
• Analyze philanthropic capacity, inclination, affinity, and engagement using a variety of public and subscription resources, both on a routine basis and as needed throughout the year
• Produce prospect profiles, briefing materials, relationship maps, and strategic analyses

Data Governance & Best Practices

• Establish policies and procedures related to prospect management, prospect research, and portfolio management and serve as institutional expert on prospect development methodologies and best practices
• Ensure compliance with ethical standards established by American Prospect Research Association (APRA) and Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) as well as applicable privacy regulations

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or experience in lieu
• 5 years of progressively responsible experience in prospect development, prospect research, portfolio management, advancement operations, or fundraising strategy

Preferred Qualifications

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Experience developing fundraising dashboards and portfolio analytics
• Familiarity with APRA and CASE standards and best practices
• Experience supporting principal and major gift fundraising programs and campaigns within a large, complex organization
• Demonstrated ability to interpret complex financial and philanthropic information

Application Instructions

A resume and cover letter are required. You can submit these documents in any format, but pdf works best. 

Applications will be considered as they are submitted so you are encouraged to apply early. 

Reed College replies to every candidate. We will confirm that your application is received, and if you are not selected, we will let you know as soon as possible.