Assistant Director, Prospect Research

The Assistant Director, Prospect Research discovers, analyzes, synthesizes, summarizes, and distributes information in order to increase the identification, engagement, and solicitation of prospects by Advancement staff and College leadership. Through this work, they act as a key partner in the strategic planning and efficient operation of fundraising programs at Swarthmore College.

This is a hybrid position, working on campus Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and remotely on Wednesday and Friday. 

Essential Responsibilities

• Research constituents and write extensive, well-written, and visually engaging profiles for the president, Board of Managers and other staff at Swarthmore in order to bolster fundraising results and guide strategy. Some scenarios that require profiles include one-on-one meetings between a constituent and the president; small, curated donor events involving the president, such as a private dinner; planned interactions between the president and an event host or VIP speaker, among other interactions. Other related projects include researching and writing honorary degree nominee briefing documents for the President’s Office in order to guide College leadership, staff, and faculty in their decisions about awarding honorary degrees. This includes acting as the department’s liaison to the President’s office for that project. (50%)
• Discover and evaluate potential new prospects on a regular basis, evaluating their philanthropic capacity, level of engagement, inclination, and their affinity for Swarthmore. (30%)
• Discover, analyze, synthesize, and summarize large volumes of biographic, business, philanthropic, and financial data, including complex financial and legal disclosures, technical and trade documents, court and tax records, corporate annual reports, SEC filings, and real property files in order to contribute to fundraising strategies for donors, campaigns, and events. (10%)
• Monitor, evaluate, and share constituent activity through daily news alerts on groupings of donors. Review Swarthmore College publications, Web pages, and social media accounts. Also assist in the review of national and international publications for general news and trend data that may assist in prospect research and management (5%)
• Monitor constituent activity through regular review of CRM reports and dashboards. (5%)

Additional Responsibilities:

• Assist as needed in prospect management activities, including meeting with staff who hold a portfolio of prospects
• Assist Advancement staff at College events, as needed.
• Serve on College or Advancement committees, as requested.
• Perform other assignments as directed by the Director of Prospect Discovery and Development. 
• Participate in professional organizations and conferences to enhance prospect research and prospect management skills and keep updated on best practices as possible with current budgets.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
  
  

  Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree with three or more years of experience in prospect development or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Excellent writing and research skills.
  • Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite
  • Familiarity with Google Workspace
  • Familiarity with major prospect research databases, relational databases, and internet search tools.
  • Familiarity with a variety of other technical applications, such as fundraising databases and reporting software, and various research databases. Willingness to learn new computer and software skills as needed.
  • Capacity for assimilating disparate data and providing analysis and recommended strategy based on findings

  Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in prospect development in higher education.
  • Working knowledge and experience with major prospect research databases, relational databases, and internet search tools
  • Working knowledge and experience with Google Workspace
  • Familiarity with the Slate CRM