Department Code
50413-7131
Department
Advancement and External Affairs
Job Title
Executive Director Prospect Development and Research
Pay Range
$126,000 - $149,000
Pay Determination
Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate’s education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university’s strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.
Hours
Standard University business hours:
8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)
Hours may vary based on operational needs.
Unionized Position Code
Not Applicable
Job Description
This position serves as an institutional leader in prospect management, research and analytics. S/he drives the strategic evaluation of constituent and prospect programs, analyzes data and information, and provides solutions for the advancement of division and institutional goals. The position cultivates relationships with colleagues across the division to ensure that University resources are optimized to grow a culture of increased philanthropy in line with the organization’s mission, vision, and values.
The position lays the foundation for and gives direction to the fundraising process by way of comprehensive and strategic analysis of the donor pipeline; philanthropic giving trends; and presentation of meaningful data as it relates to ongoing fundraising activities and new campaign initiatives. The ED is an authority on all prospect development matters and serves as counsel to the division’s senior leadership team on methods and definitions for the oversight of divisional gift officer expectations, standards, processes, and metrics. S/he also serves as a senior leader in the training and application development of the University’s constituent database, ensuring that all systems and business processes integrate and perform effectively.
Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree is required. A master’s degree and/or equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred.
- Demonstrated proficiency in relational database management/CRM use.
- At least five (5) years of experience in higher education prospect development or related field.
- Four (4) to six (6) years of related management experience.
- Demonstrated experience with research tools and data analytics, including internet sources and new research technology.
- Ability to manage and work well with various personalities, fostering teamwork and collaboration to achieve goals.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex requests with multiple priorities and deliverables.
- A valid Driver’s license is required.
Job Specific Qualifications
- Proficiency in conceptualizing and developing proactive prospecting methodologies using such tools as constituent list segmentation, data mining and electronic and peer screenings.
- Ability to foster a collaborative, customer-oriented working environment.
- Skill in developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.
- Ability to implement short and long-term goals while managing multiple projects, tasks, and deadlines.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills demonstrated by clear, concise writing, and experience with public speaking.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills and demonstrated experience successfully working with persons from diverse backgrounds.
- Proven success working with high-level administrators and staff.
- Detail oriented with strong organizational skills, highly driven and results oriented.
- Ability to manage budget and negotiate with vendors on contract renewals, etc.
Responsibilities
Strategy and Prospect Management Pipeline Development:
- Organize, analyze and make recommendations relative to progress on division goals and individual portfolios through regular meetings with gift officers and AEA senior leadership. Recalibrate portfolios as needed to maximize performance and elevate the highest priority prospects for management.
- Organize the prospect management team into a strategic asset that determines the most advantageous assignment of principal gift and multi-interest prospects, identifies opportunities, and that reviews and standardizes fundraiser performance and metrics.
- Lead efforts in conjunction with the Fundraising Intelligence team to strengthen the use of data analytics and visualizations to help inform prospect assignments and fundraising strategies.
Relationship and Moves Management:
- Develop and implement prospect management guidelines and procedures to foster a unified approach to the organization’s relationship strategy. Lead and educate Advancement staff on prospect management policies and procedures.
- Maintain an overall knowledge of the University’s top prospects to assist fundraisers in developing appropriate cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies; referencing and representing that information at meetings and in discussions, as needed.
- Lead fundraiser onboarding and training with regard to prospect development, tools, and use of CITRUS and DataInsights. Advise senior leadership on the tools and resources necessary for success.
- Advise leadership on setting and monitoring divisional gift officer expectations, standards, and metrics. Collaborate with units to set annual solicitation and fundraising goals, create and manage pipeline and goal reporting for initiatives, and ensure that progress toward annual goals is documented and continually updated for major, principal and capital fundraising outcomes.
Oversee Prospect Research Team & Initiatives:
- Direct and supervise the Associate Director of Prospect Research in production of high-quality research deliverables for senior university leadership and Advancement fundraising staff.
- Oversee, manage and advise efforts in research tools and prospect identification by capitalizing on the existing and developing landscape of software resources and platforms.
- Advance the latest trends in prospect research and identify new research tools and resources.
- Drive intelligent approaches and data driven/analytical solutions to uncover new prospects, deepen understanding of prospect pools, and support fundraising initiatives.
Staffing and Management:
- Identify staffing needs and create areas of expertise and growth opportunities for staff. Cultivate a high-performing team.
- Direct prospect management analyst functions, including but not limited to prospect assignments, referrals and moves management.
- Develop and enforce performance metrics for managed teams by establishing departmental and individual goals and routine evaluations of progress toward these goals.
- Attend professional conferences and user group meetings; recommend relevant changes and enhancements to the advancement systems and capabilities.
- Ensure staff are knowledgeable, have access to professional development content, and adhere to professional and ethical standards.
- Manage the unit’s budget.
Other duties as assigned.
Physical Requirements
Not Applicable
Tools/Equipment
Not Applicable
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.
The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About the Syracuse area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive Campus Community
Syracuse University maintains an inclusive learning environment in which students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all other aspects of campus life reflect a diverse, multi-cultural, and international worldview. The University community recognizes and values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to understand, live among, appreciate, and work in an inherently diverse country and world made up of people with different ethnic and racial backgrounds, military backgrounds, religious beliefs, socio-economic status, cultural traditions, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities. To do so, we commit ourselves to promoting a community that celebrates and models the principles of diversity and inclusivity.