Associate Director of Research
University of Georgia Athens, GA Full-Time
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Position Information
Classification Title Development/Fundraising Professional FLSA Exempt Job Family Outreach Services FTE 1.00 Minimum Qualifications
Requires at least a baccalaureate degree in the field. Please contact your Human Resources office for an evaluation of education/experience in lieu of the required minimum qualifications.
Preferred Qualifications
* Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years related or comparable experience.
* Demonstrated experience in research (or related field), data analysis, advanced analytical tools and databases, internet resources, and other references.
* Experience with online database search techniques for products such as Lexis/Nexis, D&B, WealthEngine, NOZA, iWave, WealthTracker, Alumni Finder, Research Point, Relationship Science, WealthX, and other personal wealth and financial databases.
* Experience in processing of data and producing reports on various projects, extracting useful information from large data sets or databases.
* Experience with accessing and/or querying system data.
* Experience with segmenting large data sets for use in wealth screenings, modeling, and prospecting efforts.
* Exhibits behavior that supports the mission, vision, and values of the University of Georgia Research work in business, law, or educational advancement preferred.
* GAIL (Blackbaud CRM) and other fundraising software experience desirable.
* Prior experience in advancement, fundraising, alumni engagement, non-profit, or a university setting.
Position Summary
The incumbent reports to the Senior Director of Research and works closely with the Senior Director of Prospect Management. The Associate Director oversees and implements strategic prospect research initiatives in support of institutional priorities focusing on vice presidential and presidential requests, principal giving needs, and corporate and foundation research initiatives.
Working with the Senior Director, the Associate Director assists in the development and implementation of research policies and procedures. They regularly seek to identify and implement process improvements. They assist in identifying key areas for analysis to move prospects through the major gift donor cycle. They identify, analyze, interpret, synthesize, and appropriately disseminate data in a user-friendly format, working to match institution needs with charitable and economic interests of prospective donors.
The Associate Director of Research is responsible for producing high-level customized and professionally written research reports based upon synthesizing and evaluating information gleaned from in-depth research and financial analysis for high level individuals and corporate and foundation prospects. By using proprietary financial forecasting and inclination models, the Associate Director of Research analyzes databases and identifies new prospects; evaluates and provides capacity analysis using online databases and industry best practices to fulfill proactive research needs.
The incumbent employs advanced research data collection methods utilizing a wide range of sources, including complex web queries, vendor subscriptions, social media data, alert services, archival libraries and print publications, internal databases and records, financial documents, market surveys, etc. In this capacity, the Associate Director of Research works collaboratively with, and as a liaison to, the senior development unit managers and major and principal gifts fundraisers to help meet overall fundraising goals, particularly those focused on identifying potential prospects, evaluating relationships and engagement opportunities, and developing appropriate cultivation and solicitation strategies for alumni, parents, and friends that maximize their giving to and engagement with the University. Activities of the Associate Director of Research will impact the success of fundraising by focusing on the University's highest-level prospective donors capable of making major and principal gifts.
The Associate Director supervises the work of student workers within the office.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies
* Compose concise, focused research documents with attention to accuracy and detail to support the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship process.
* Knowledge of current best practices in prospect development and data sharing.
* Superb writing, editing, and verbal communication presentation skills.
* Clear and persuasive communication.
* High level of initiative and follow-through; work independently as well as in a team environment.
* Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills; navigate a complex work environment.
* Commitment to delivering excellent customer service, work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, and comfort working with ambiguity.
* Excellent memory for details.
* Organize work, coordinate projects with others, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and adhere to and negotiate deadlines.
* Excellent research and analytical skills, including analyzing and interpreting business and financial data and information.
* Possess a high level of professionalism and commitment to confidentiality with sound judgment and discretion.
* Proficient with computers, database management, and highly skilled with internet searches; proficient with productivity tools including Excel, Access, Word, and PowerPoint.
* Exhibits behavior that supports the mission, vision, and values of the University of Georgia.
* Communicates and employs interpersonal actions that model high standards of professional, responsible, accountable, and ethical conduct; strong customer service skills.
* Maintain the professional and ethical standards set forth for the field by the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA).
Additional Division Expectations:
* Through open, honest, and respectful communication, all staff, supervisors, and colleagues of the Division of Development & Alumni Relations are expected to interact with fairness, compassion, and decency. All employees will be held accountable for meeting the expectation of promoting a stable, productive, and healthy work environment.
* Adherence to CASE standards and commonly accepted industry standards relating to fundraising reporting are expected of all fundraisers. All fundraisers will be held accountable for meeting this expectation.
Physical Demands
* Work in a standard office environment.
* Sit and work at a computer workstation for an extended amount of time.
* Work using electronic mail, telephone, face-to-face discussions, paper form correspondence.
* Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and listening.
* Organize and establish priorities; Remember detail; Multi-task.
* Lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
* Walk/move, stand, stoop, lift, kneel, climb.
* Travel in and out of state.
* Infrequently work nights and weekends if needed.
Is driving a responsibility of this position? No Is this a Position of Trust? Yes Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No Does this position require a P-Card? No Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) Yes Credit and P-Card policy
Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.
Duties/Responsibilities
Duties/Responsibilities
* Provide high-level research on individuals, corporations, and foundations using a wide variety of biographical, organizational, and financial sources, including state-of-the-art online database services, internet websites, online library and government sources, and other external repositories of public information. Analyze and synthesize accumulated information to assess financial capacity, philanthropic tendencies, giving propensity, and linkages to campus. Evaluate research results to develop and implement further research strategies utilizing ethical intelligence-gathering techniques of the information profession.
* Compose documents (profiles, biographies, project summaries) using style, grammar, and content appropriate to specific audiences. Interpret and translate complex financial, legal, and corporate language into easily comprehensible terms while adhering to university standards of discretion and confidentiality. Extract and communicate key information which directs cultivation and solicitation strategies. Prospect knowledge, including ratings, interests, and linkages acquired through research is preserved and maintained in a complex database system that is accessible to campus-wide fundraising staff and used to develop future cultivation strategies. Summarize key findings and create actionable recommendations to appear prominently in profiles, prospect lists, and other products as it pertains to high-level individuals, corporations, and foundations.
* Meet multiple deadlines while working on several concurrent projects, while always promoting and adhering to the University's development analyst policies.
* Respond to a broad spectrum of high priority projects at the request of the Senior Director for Research. Provide investigative and analytical support for special and/or urgent requests from development officers and administrators throughout campus and in the central office.
* Collaborate with the Senior Director of Research in reviewing the first drafts of high-level reactive research completed by the Senior Development Analysts or other research staff as needed.
* Assist with special proactive and reactive research projects. Analyze research requests to determine the appropriate level of detail required.
* Make recommendations for strategy and referral based on donor research findings. Participate in and facilitate prospect strategy and portfolio review meetings. Work collaboratively with gift officers and other staff to ensure the strategic use of research.
Percentage of time 40 Duties/Responsibilities
* Proactively and independently plan and execute creative strategies to identify sources of major gift ($25,000+) private support using innovative research techniques and electronic searching methodologies to ensure that campus-wide fundraising initiatives have sufficient prospects to meet fundraising goals. Develop and execute strategies to ensure that newly identified prospects are presented and assigned to appropriate campus fundraisers in a timely manner.
* Responsible for building prospect queries for the purpose of high giving capacity prospect identification by utilizing data-driven software. Data mine and prioritize lists results by sorting and assessing wealth screening, in-house database mining, engagement/affinity, model scoring, and other available scoring data.
* Analyze and organize prospect data to identify philanthropic patterns, tendencies, and relationships among individuals, corporations, and foundations.
* Monitors top prospects via news alerts and push technology and shares relevant updates with team members and colleagues.
* Identify new prospects using news alerts and other prospecting strategies.
* Serve as a liaison to a portfolio of development directors. Collaborate and consult with diverse campus contacts; including development officers, development staff, and other University staff; on matters related to portfolio development, solicitation strategy formulation, and information gathering through peer screenings. Interpret results and provide direction on the segmentation and management of large groups of prospects and donors identified through the electronic screening process.
* Actively participate in scheduled portfolio meetings with fundraisers, prospect managers, and leadership, and provide a strategic assessment of prospect and donor behavior and trends to inform decision-making.
* Identify and profile new foundation and corporation leads and present data to unit leaders.
* Assign prospect referrals to development officers and be responsible for maintaining the research flow of data and information from identification to gift by providing research information, updating, and tracking changes in the database, and by making recommendations related to the referral of principal and major gift level prospects as well as post-assignment research and detailed financial analysis. Provide expertise for the strategic removal and re-assignment of individual, corporate, and foundation prospect referrals.
*
•Responsible for implementing strategic prospect research initiatives in support of institutional priorities with a focus on high-level requests for the president's office, assisting the Senior Director of Research in the development and documentation of research policies and procedures to assist all fundraising efforts. Lead or manage special projects as assigned.
* Create, maintain, and update the Research policies and procedures manual as a comprehensive manual that details every aspect of the Office of Research policies, the procedures for following those policies, and the steps in and out of the GAIL database needed to complete each process. The Research policies and procedures manual is a reference tool for staff, supervisors, trainers, and end users.
Percentage of time 40 Duties/Responsibilities
* In collaboration with the Senior Director, represent the Research unit and serve as a primary contact working with other departments across the division/University. Present research data at division-wide meetings as needed for specific initiatives across campus.
* Stay abreast of trends in research, online searching, analytics; and monitor national, statewide, and regional news alerts for prospect activity and identify new major gift prospects.
* Track and disseminate news and information about top donors and prospects.
* Respond to alerts from national wealth tracking databases by conducting proactive research to identify new major and principal gift prospects.
* Responsible for updating donor/alumni constituent records in GAIL regularly with information obtained through research.
* Perform other responsibilities as required.
* Help with work related to the campus-wide financial and fundraising database (GAIL) as needed.
Percentage of time 10 Duties/Responsibilities
* Attend Development and staff meetings to maintain awareness of institutional and divisional priorities and needs.
* Represent the Senior Director and/or the Research team in meetings with leadership and other stakeholders; Provide expertise and program support; Serve on internal or external committees or teams.
* Apply skills and knowledge gained from cross-training to provide support for varying services and special projects on an as-needed basis to achieve and maintain organizational success for both the Prospect Management and Research teams.
Percentage of time 5 Duties/Responsibilities
* Continuously develop fundraising knowledge and professional skills through internal/external training, research webinars, and local and regional conferences and workshops.
* Participate in continuing professional development opportunities as requested and resources allow, including Apra, CASE, and others.
Percentage of time 5
Contact Information
Recruitment Contact
Contact Details
For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.
Recruitment Contact Name Development & Alumni Relations' Office of Talent Management Recruitment Contact Email [ Email address blocked ] - Click here to apply to Associate Director of Research Recruitment Contact Phone
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* * How did you hear about this vacant position?
* African American Development Officers (AADO)
* Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
* Annual Giving Network
* CASE
* Chronicle of Higher Education
* Chronicle of Philanthropy
* Current UGA Employee
* Diverse Jobs
* Handshake
* HigherEdJobs
* Insight Into Diversity
* LinkedIn
* Talent Management Newsletter
* UGAJobs (UGA's job board)
* Other (please provide)
* * Do you have any experience working in Higher Education?
* Yes
* No
* * Do you have any relevant experience in prospect research or related field?
* Yes
* No
* * Do you have fundraising experience?
* Yes
* No
* * Are you familiar with any type of Customer Relationship Management software? If so, which?
(Open Ended Question)
* * Are you experienced with data analytics and electronic searching methodologies?
* Yes
* No
* * Do you have familiarity/experience with wealth screening and rating tools?
* Yes
* No
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
* Resume/CV
* Cover Letter
Optional Documents
Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact University HR ([ Email address blocked ] - Click here to apply to Associate Director of Research ).
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.
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