Job Summary:
The Prospect Research Specialist identifies and performs the full range of work related to program and policy research, analysis, development, evaluation of information on prospective donors to CSUSB. The research specialist provides research support to key leadership at the University and within the Foundation, as well as to the Office of Philanthropic Giving to inform development strategies and advance potential donor relationships. As part of a collaborative team, the Prospect Research Specialist will coordinate with Philanthropic Giving and Advancement Operations staff to ensure that the best prospects are identified and assigned to giving officers and that the history of relationship-building efforts is tracked and plays a critical role in the overall success of the growing University Advancement program.
Major duties and responsibilities:
Prospect Research
- Use free and paid prospect research tools such as Google, iWave, Wealth Engine, LexisNexis for Development Professionals, LinkedIn, PeopleSoft, and the University Advancement internal database to conduct comprehensive research and analysis on individuals, corporations and foundations identified as potential donors. Summarize/synthesize/utilize the information that is obtained to prepare briefing documents, profiles and reports on donors and prospective donors, adhering to deadlines.
- Conduct research into the capacity, affinity and propensity of alumni, friends, and potential donors to the University by looking at publicly available information on asset ownership and philanthropic giving. Calculate and assign philanthropic gift ratings using Prospect Research rating guidelines.
- Complete research requests, coordinating with requestors as needed to assure timely delivery of requested research. Confirm contact information, education, employment, promotions/awards; other philanthropic interests, connections, etc. and update the Advance database with new information as needed.
- Track research activity for internal advancement research metrics.
- Compile and create biographical profiles that support the University’s philanthropic efforts throughout the fundraising cycle to identify, qualify and engage potential major gift and high-level gift prospects and build the campaign pipeline. Upload completed profiles to the applicable records in the University Advancement database.
- Independently search wealth screening and predictive modeling results and validate information for effective utilization, segmentation and qualification of prospects.
- Assist with scheduling regular prospect strategy meetings with each of the Directors of Philanthropy. Prepare meeting materials and attend meetings, notating research requests and other follow-up actions and entering the requests into the Prospect Research work queue.
- Prepare and edit purpose-specific biographies on current and potential donors, leaders, award and board nominees and special event attendees for Advancement leadership, often under strict deadlines.
- Identify potential prospects and prominent alumni by creating electronic alerts and monitoring sources (e.g. LiveAlumni, newspapers, business publications, social media, and news alerts) and sharing relevant information with other internal staff as appropriate.
- Use research tools to locate or confirm current address, contact, and biographical information on alumni, donors and potential donors and update alumni/donor database or delegate updates.
- Compile lists of potential prospect visits or event guests for Advancement-related travel and events.
- Update Foundation board member and top prospect bios annually or as needed with recent giving, engagement, and achievements.
- Maintain the research resources library and a list of resources/tools for division staff.
- Stay abreast of current prospect research and management tools and methods, data management and advancement services best practices through webinars, conferences, participation in professional associations such as the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA) and other professional development opportunities.
Proposal/Portfolio Coordination and Maintenance
- Update and maintain proposal information and prospect portfolios in database by accurately coding, assigning prospects and following up with Philanthropic Giving staff; guide other staff in these tasks.
- Monitor proposal data against actual commitments for timely updates and review inactive prospects in portfolios to recommend actions to be reviewed during prospect strategy meetings.
- Train and guide other internal staff and student assistants in using and maintaining prospect, proposal and contact report information in the alumni/donor database.
- Create and update tutorials and documentation of prospect management procedures and coordinate with Advancement Operations on written guidelines.
- Develop, update, and provide access to electronic forms related to prospect research, tracking and constituent relationship management.
- Create, organize and maintain secure electronic files for prospect research and management function.
- Prepare, edit, and format reports from prospect and donor data for fundraisers and Advancement leadership.
- Collaborate with Advancement database programmer in IT on prospect data integrity efforts and make or delegate corrections.
- Contribute to developing best practices in prospect management & research and recommend ways to create efficiencies.
Data Integrity
- Coordinate and maintain timely and accurate data entry of donor, prospect, and alumni data in Advancement constituent database.
- Organize and maintain research records, database records, and central files.
- Safeguard the confidentiality of constituent information at all times by adhering to ethical and confidentiality guidelines of the CSUSB Foundation, the University, APRA and the Donor Bill of Rights.
- Prioritize and assist with data integrity and data enhancement projects including directing and reviewing work of others.
- Provide support for Advancement Services projects such as policy and procedure upkeep, audit support, and training.
- Coordinate and provide lead work direction of projects assigned to student assistants to ensure effective and timely deliverables.
Other
- Participate as needed in division and University events and committees.
- Perform additional classification-related duties and projects as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications: Required Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree and/or the equivalent training and administrative work experience involving study, analysis, and/or evaluation leading to the development or improvement of administrative policies, procedures, practices, or programs.
- Two years of related experience.
Required Qualifications
- In addition to Position Skill Level - Non-Exempt knowledge and skill requirements, work assignments typically require:
- Working knowledge of and ability to apply standard theories, principles, practices, and techniques applicable to the program and/or administrative specialty to develop conclusions and make recommendations.
- Thorough knowledge of policies, procedures, and outside regulations pertaining to the applicable program and/or administrative specialty.
- Working knowledge of operational and fiscal analysis and techniques.
- Ability to take initiative and independently plan, organize, coordinate, and perform work in various situations where numerous and diverse demands are involved.
- Skill in the research, development and evaluation of policies and programs, including skill in the collection, evaluation, and interpretation of data to develop sound conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
- Expertise in investigating and analyzing problems with a broad administrative impact and implications. Ability to anticipate problems and address them proactively.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively interpret, organize, and present information and ideas in written or presentation form.
- Ability to train others on new skills and procedures and provide lead work direction.
Preferred Qualifications
- Expertise in using office software, technology and systems including but not limited to Microsoft Office/365 (Word, Excel, Outlook), and other standardized office equipment is required.
- Thorough mastery of English grammar, punctuation, and spelling along with the ability to effectively write and present reports, minutes, and other documents in a professional manner is required.
- Proficiency in locating and synthesizing material from multiple information sources, as well as the ability to interpret, analyze and summarize complex biographical, business, and financial data.
- Experience in using a complex donor/customer relationship database system with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Skill in planning and performing research and participating in the development, alternation, implementation, and evaluation of programs, policies, and procedures.
- Ability to perform standard business math, such as calculate ratios and percentages, track financial data, and make projections requiring some inference.
- Strong organizational and time management skills to prioritize work and meet deadlines for simultaneous projects with a customer-service oriented approach.
- Working knowledge of university infrastructure, policies, and procedures or those of an organization with similar complexity.
- Ability to interpret and apply policies and procedures independently and to use judgment and discretion is required.
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships and work effectively both independently and as part of a diverse team and campus community is required.
- Ability to effectively handle interpersonal interactions at all levels and appropriately handle confidential and sensitive information.
- Three (3) years work experience providing progressively responsible administrative, technical and analytical support in an environment of similar complexity.
- Experience working in higher education advancement or similar complex non-profit fundraising environment.
- Understanding of and experience in major gift prospect identification and moves management/prospect management within a development or related setting.
- Proficiency with Ellucian’s Advance or three (3) to five (5) years experience using a similar CRM/relational database.
Compensation and Benefits:
Anticipated Hiring Range: $4167 - $4417 per month
Classification Salary Range: $4167 - $7545 per month
The salary offered will take into account internal equity and experience among other factors.
The CSU system provides a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental and vision plans, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), sick and vacation time, and 15 paid holidays a year. Eligible employees are also able to participate in the fee waiver education program. A summary of benefit information can be found here.
Position Information:
Work status: Full-time/Exempt/Probationary
Academic year schedule: Monday through Friday (8:00 am – 5:00 pm), some evenings/weekends.
Summer schedule: Monday through Thursday (7:00 am - 5:30 pm), some evenings/weekends.
The application deadline is May 26, 2024.
As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.
California State University, San Bernardino in not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (i.e. H1-B Visas).
Conditions of Employment
Background Check
Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.
Mandated Reporter
The person holding this position is considered a `mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
I-9
CSUSB hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. See Form I-9 Acceptable Documents at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents.
Statement of Commitment to Diversity
In our commitment to the furthering of knowledge and fulfilling our educational mission, California State University, San Bernardino seeks a campus climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the entire variety of human experience. We welcome people from all backgrounds, and we seek to include knowledge and values from many cultures in the curriculum and extra-curricular life of the campus community. We will create, promote, and maintain activities and programs that further our understanding of individual and group diversity. We will also develop and communicate policies and promote values that discourage intolerance and discrimination.
California State University, San Bernardino is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, hire, train, and administer all personnel actions without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, color, caste, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, protected military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. This position adheres to CSU policies against Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Violence, including Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking. This requires completion of Sexual Violence Prevention Training within 6 months of assuming employment and on a two-year basis thereafter. (Executive Order 1096) For more information about Diversity & Inclusion at CSUSB, please visit https://www.csusb.edu/human-resources/diversity-inclusion
Closing Statement:
Reasonable Accommodation
We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact CSUSB Benefits at benefits@csusb.edu.
Smoking
CSUSB is a smoke and tobacco-free campus. See policy at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/6591951/latest/.
Clery Act
In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), the Cal State San Bernardino Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at: https://www.csusb.edu/clery-act