The Associate Director of Research, with the assistance of the Director, guide and manage the prospect research activities of the Department. The successful applicant will be a key player in the development of best practices, relationship building with internal and external partners and maintaining the highest standards for the Prospect Research efforts of the Development and Alumni Relations Department.

1. Oversight of the Prospect Research Team
   
   
   
   • Coordinate the activities related to training of new and existing staff on best practices and new resources as it relates to prospect research
   
   
   • Act as a resource and mentor for staff on prospect research best practices by demonstrating mastery of retrieving, analyzing and interpreting research-related data
   
   
   • Mentoring and training of new Development Researchers, including formulation of training documents, training schedules and coordination among team members
   
   
   • Set and enforce training protocols
   
   
   • Lead and mentor the team on professional development efforts
   
   
   • Delegate appropriate work and projects to staff based on skill sets, knowledge and experience
   
   
   
   


2. Guide the timely and accurate delivery of research data and updates to Major and Principal Gift Fundraisers and staff
   
   
   
   • Perform and delegate prospect research activities for current and prospective donors including Alumni and friends, at the Major Gift and Principal Gift levels; exhibit and demonstrate knowledge of advance research practices and use of department research resources
   
   
   • Provide in-depth asset analysis reports for key major and principal Gift prospects in advance of solicitation; execute reactive research requests for the Principal Gifts Team
   
   
   • Formulate, develop and implement proactive research strategies to identify new principal gift prospects for including: endowment, planned and major gift giving activities
   
   
   • Serve in an advisory role on the strategizing of principal gift and Board of Trustees prospects
   
   
   • Create, vet and maintain news alerts on key and principal gift prospects
   
   
   • Demonstrate awareness of feasibility studies, prospect pool assessment, development strategies and gift pyramids
   
   
   • Establish consistent and meaningful measures and capacity ratings for existing and potential donors; fully understand, compile and analyze detailed biographical and asset data on individuals to determine principal gift capacity, Lehigh affinity and philanthropic giving
   
   
   • Develop and implement screening strategies, including but not limited to wealth screenings and peer screenings.
   
   
   • Provide counsel to Gift Officers and the Principal Gifts Team regarding interpretation of prospect and gift data
   
   
   • Work with the Director to create a system for proactive research aligned with portfolio, pipeline and campaign priorities
   
   
   • Adhere to and keep abreast of current national best practices in development research, including maintaining the confidentiality of donor data and handling all data in a discrete and ethical manner; coordinate with key partners on best ways to preserve and maintain that data in the available systems
   
   
   
   


3. Management of projects related to prospect research efforts
   
   
   
   • Provide project management oversight for large scale projects around the identification of new prospects for Major and Principal Gift Officers; coordinate and delegate activities of other team members around these projects
   
   
   • Collaborate with Gift Officer and Development and Alumni Relations partners on the structure, process and deliverables of these projects; keep key players abreast of project progress and any changes in deliverables
   
   
   • Apply project management national best practices in the planning, executing and analysis of projects, including timely updates to project plans and other documents
   
   
   • Demonstrate knowledge of Lehighs current campaign, including the type of campaign, goals, priorities and prospect needs, and develop projects around those needs
   
   
   • Build internal and external relationships, partners and advocates through best practices in relationship building and communication
   
   
   • Seek out client and leadership feedback about project performance, and determine when and how to incorporate feedback for future refinements
   
   
   
   


4. Prospect profile and briefing development
   
   
   
   • Compose and edit written summary and briefing reports on prospects for senior leadership, the Principal Gifts Team and the Board of Trustees
   
   
   • Translate complex corporate and asset-based language into easily comprehensible terms
   
   
   • Use appropriate and standard grammar, style and content tailored to the audience
   
   
   • Collaborate with the Gift Officer and be a participant in the evolution of the profile writing process
   
   
   
   

1. Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience


2. Five to eight years related work experience


3. Past experience working in higher education or non-profit desired


4. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills


5. Excellent writing ability and organizational skills


6. Excellent analytical, decision making and problem solving skills


7. Solid computer skills with experience using word processing and spreadsheet software


8. Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, county and national criminal background checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance. Based upon the requirements of the position Lehigh may also request credit history reports, motor vehicle checks and professional license/certification verification

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