Prospect Researcher

Important Application Instructions

• Upload Resume or Curriculum Vitae for automatic population of information to the application.
• The contact information, work experience, and education listed on your Resume/CV will be parsed and input into your Montclair application.
• Review information and double-check all fields containing information that the system parsed – the software is intelligent, but you need to verify that the data is accurate.
• In the “My Experience” section, you will find a Resume/CV upload option where you can submit your cover letter and all other supporting documents.
  
  

Note: If you have an expansive CV, we recommend that you apply manually and only include the positions you have held in the last ten (10) years. You will then be able to attach your Resume/CV, as well as all other supporting documentation in the "My Experience" section of your application.

Summary

Job Description

Reporting to the Assistant VP, Advancement Services, the Prospect Researcher is responsible for organizing, developing, and administering a comprehensive major donor research program for Montclair State University and all of its affiliate divisions. Responsibilities include: donor research and prospect identification; research on individuals, corporations and foundations; preparation of briefing background for meetings and special events; and information input and extraction on prospects in the donor database. This role also assists with establishing and overseeing policies and procedures for collection and use of prospect and donor information, ensuring confidential and ethical methods and use.

Principal Duties And Responsibilities

• Conduct research and create donor and prospect profiles on a confidential basis for cultivation and gift solicitation and high-level volunteer engagements.
• Assist in developing cultivation and solicitation strategies. Collaborate with Development leadership and fundraising staff to develop cultivation and solicitation strategies regarding prospects and suspects.
• Identify and research new prospects on an ongoing basis both proactively and in response to requests from development office staff, the Vice President for Development & Alumni Engagement, or the President's Office.
• Collaborate with members of the development staff, faculty and staff, to identify appropriate corporate and foundation funders for grant proposals.
• Provide prospect or donor information to development colleagues for preparation of briefings for executive and senior level team meetings, and a wide variety of events. Participate in regular prospect strategy meetings.
• Maintain and update development database; generate reports that further develop functions of the office.
• Track prospects and suspects in a technically appropriate and meaningful manner that is functional for development staff, reporting needs, and overall database functionality.
• Assist in the development, maintenance, and updates of policies and procedures for entering and maintaining donor, prospect, and suspect information into the database.
• Maintain current knowledge in the integrations and services available through Montclair’s current CRM and technology contracts. Work with the Assistant Vice President of Advancement Services, when necessary, to identify and engage a vendor to conduct electronic prospect screening(s) or other research-related functions.
• Share information with the Alumni Office as needed for Alumni publications.
• Assist with the development of an annual research budget. Effectively conducts research within budgetary constraints, while monitoring and analyzing cost effectiveness.
• Recommend acquisitions and new research resources for review and/or use.
• Maintain membership in professional associations and keeps up-to-date with developments in the prospect research field.
• Establish and implement information management policies and procedures, and advise members of the development and administrative team to ensure the ethical and confidential collection and use of prospect and donor information.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Management retains the right to change or add job duties at any time.
  
  

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in development research, library/business research, data analytics, or a related field.
• Demonstrated organization and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and manage large projects.
  
  

Preferred

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a related field.
• Coursework in library science and/or management information systems.
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge, ResearchPoint and LexisNexis.
  
  

PROCEDURE FOR CANDIDACY

Applicants should include a resume and cover letter describing how their background, skills and education match the needs of the University. When applying, please take a moment to carefully read and follow the steps in the application instructions.

Department

Advancement Services

Position Type

Professional - Non-Faculty

Contact Information

For questions or concerns, please contact Human Resources' Workday Recruiting Support at 973-655-5000 (Option 2), or email [email protected].

EEO/AA Statement

Montclair State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution with a strong commitment to diversity.

Additional information can be found on the website at

www.montclair.edu/human-resources/about-us/eo-aa-and-diversity/

Title IX and 34 C.F.R. 106 Policy

Montclair State is required by Title IX and 34 C.F.R. 106 not to discriminate on the basis of sex or gender, and does not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in the operation of education programs and activities. The requirement to not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in the operation of education programs and activities extends to admission and employment. For further details, please visit: https://www.montclair.edu/human-resources/job-seekers/