Associate Director

Development Research, Prospect Development and Analytics, Office of University Development

Posting Number
: 
54835

Job Category
: 
Prospect Development and Analytics, Research

Salary
: 
$65,000.00 - $75,000.00

Reports To
: 
Senior Director for Prospect Development and Analytics

Experience Range
: 
5 to 7 Years + Management Experience


A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

To apply for this position, please submit your cover letter and resume as one document on the University of Michigan Careers at the U site.

If you are unable to apply via the U-M Jobs site, please submit your cover letter and resume to dev.careers@umich.edu. In the subject line, please type in the Job ID# for which you are applying.

For questions about the U-M application process, please refer to the FAQ page

Position Description

Supervises directly: Assistant Director of Development Research (1)
Senior Research Analyst and Research Analysts (3)

Supervises indirectly: Research Analysts (2)
Research Associates (2)
Temporary and student staff

Oversee vision planning and daily operations of the Office of University Development Research program. Supervise and train research staff. Design and update program, products, and services to meet the development community's needs. Conduct proactive and reactive research on major and leadership gift prospects. Collaborate with the development community to successfully connect the activities of the Development Research program to the organization's larger mission.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

Development Research Management (60%)

  • Articulate the strategic direction of the Development Research program.  Collaborate with the Senior Director and Office of University Development (OUD) leaders and staff to identify and assess prospect information needs.  Partner with OUD and with schools, colleges, and units to establish new and innovative roles for Development Research program and for the research analysts.
  • Oversee the daily operations of the Development Research program.  Manage research work flow, determining priorities, coordinating staff assignments, and providing project management.  Ensure equal division of analysts’ work, including liaison responsibilities, reactive and proactive research, and professional development.  Ensure the quality and timeliness of team’s research and analysis.
  • Manage research requests made on behalf of University of Michigan (UM) executive officers, OUD leaders, and the Senior Director.  Negotiate deadlines and scope of projects.
  • Design and implement research strategies to meet established and emerging prospect information needs.  Update standard research products and design new products as needed to fulfill the information needs of UM fundraisers and management.
  • Evaluate the scope, quality and quantity of Development Research program in the context of best practices and emerging industry trends.  Adopt and/or modify practices as warranted to continually improve Development Research and align it with OUD needs.  Identify appropriate professional development opportunities to support the evolving role of the Development Research team.
  • Hire, train, and/or supervise research analysts and the Assistant Director of Development Research.  Set individual goals, review work to maintain a high standard of quality and productivity, and assess performance.  Conduct annual reviews, regular progress meetings, and other management-related responsibilities.
  • As needed, delegate management of temporary or part-time research assistants and associates.  Devise training, assign work, and assess performance.
  • In conjunction with the Senior Director, design and oversee projects to proactively identify, qualify, and quantify segments of the University’s prospect pool through the use of screening, data mining, and modeling of existing donors.
  • Collaborate with the Senior Director in management of the department budget as related to research resources. This includes but is not limited to:
    • Review for approval billings for all research services and resources.
    • Follow UM procedures governing contracts for products and services, and manage vendor relationships.
    • Evaluate new research sources and tools, assess cost/benefit and make or recommend purchases consistent with the budget.
  • Participate in planning and setting departmental goals that assist in meeting OUD’s strategic plan.
  • Represent the Development Research program in the implementation of the DAC replacement project, the modeling and screening project, the OUD New Employee Orientation program, and other cross-unit collaborations as they present themselves.
  • Create and distribute regular reports highlighting Development Research’s contributions to fundraising efforts.
  • Establish and maintain written policies and documentation regarding the activities of the Development Research program.
  • Maintain state-of-the-art knowledge of the UM development community, research tools and techniques, challenges for managing fundraising efforts, and factors in the design and implementation of fundraising campaigns.
  • Assume responsibility for meeting and maintaining the standards set forth in the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA) Skill Set in Research Management, Prospect Research Fundamentals, and Advanced Prospect Research.
  • Participate at an appropriate level in professional associations such as APRA and CASE, both to increase knowledge and skills and to develop and maintain professional relationships with prospect researchers outside of UM.
  • Safeguard the confidentiality of donor information at all times.  Adhere to ethical and confidentiality guidelines of both UM and APRA.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Proactive and Reactive Research (40%)

  • Conduct reactive and proactive research.  Be innovative in devising new ways to secure information of critical importance to the effective solicitation of significant constituents of the University of Michigan (UM).
  • Estimate donor gift capacity through the analysis of complex individual, corporate, and foundation financial and philanthropic information.  Summarize information relevant to the timing of a gift.
  • Identify possible areas of philanthropic interest and potential engagement with UM.
  • Participate in projects to proactively identify, qualify, and quantify segments of the University’s prospect pool through the use of screening, data mining, and modeling of existing donors. Bring the most promising opportunities for the University to the attention of appropriate colleagues.
  • Write confidential research documents on individual, corporate, and foundation prospects for UM development staff members and senior executive officers.

Submit completed research for data entry into the development central database and for electronic storage in research optical imaging system.

 

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree with research background or relevance preferred.
  • Extensive knowledge of advanced prospect research techniques and reference materials, including on-line database services and their creative use.  Proven knowledge of prospect pool identification and management.  Knowledge of tools and approaches for internal and external benchmarking.
  • Three or more years of successful team management required; demonstrated leadership and team-building skills. Knowledge of the University of Michigan history, environment and culture a plus.
  • Knowledge of the standards set forth in the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA) Skill Sets in Research Management, Prospect Research Fundamentals, and Advanced Prospect Research.
  • Demonstrated ability to apply an ethical code and to manage sensitive information with the highest degree of confidentiality.
  • Highly-developed interpersonal skills and excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Proven attitude of flexibility and scrupulous accuracy as to work performed or supervised.
  • Track record of successful project management and exceptional customer services skills.
  • Strong computing and technical skills, including familiarity with a networked environment, Microsoft Office 2007, relational databases and other applications. Ability to envision the use all technical tools in concert to their fullest potential for increased departmental effectiveness.

 

Mission Statement
The Office of University Development maximizes private support for the University of Michigan through high-quality collaboration with the development programs of schools, colleges, and units. We also provide fundraising leadership through the stimulation and facilitation of healthy, productive and life-long relationships with our colleagues, alumni, friends, foundations and corporations.

U-M EEO/AA Statement: The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

The University of Michigan Office of Development, 3003 South State Street, Suite 9000, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1288phone734 647-6000