Assistant Director, Prospect Development

Department
 

BSD DEV - Advancement Services 3

About the Department
 

Medicine and Biological Sciences Development’s mission is to inspire and facilitate philanthropy at the University of Chicago Medicine by building relationships with those who share its goals of advancing excellence in research, education, community, and patient care. We accomplish this mission through expertise, integrity, creativity, and collaboration.

Job Summary
 

The job conducts biographical and financial research on individuals, corporations, and/or foundations to support fundraising. Identifies prospective donors using research and analysis through use of standard procedures. Forecasts and measures the effectiveness of the fiscal year and overall campaign progress, which will help employees in the job acquire higher-level knowledge and skills.

Responsibilities

• The Assistant Director of Prospect Development is a member of the Prospect Development team in the Medicine and Biological Sciences Development (MBSD) office. In partnership with the Associate Director, the Assistant Director supports the strategy and execution of prospect research and prospect management within MBSD, focusing on the University of Chicago Medicine’s (UCM) grateful patient pipeline.

• Reviews large volume of automated wealth screening results monthly to confirm potential wealth indicators. Navigates an array of databases and online sources to identify publicly available biographic, financial, philanthropic, and professional information on prospective donors.

• Interprets complex financial information to assign gift capacity estimates to prospects. Prepares accurate, clear, and concise written profiles and briefings to communicate relevant details that advance the qualification, cultivation, and solicitation of prospective donors.

• Responds to requests for information from multiple University and UCM stakeholders, including University and UCM leadership; physicians; volunteers; and the Alumni Relations and Development (ARD) team.

• Adheres to ARD and MBSD protocol governing research activities, including standards for assessing philanthropic capacity and well as maintaining prospect information in the University-wide CRM. Strictly adheres to MBSD, University, and UCM data governance policies, including HIPAA.

• Processes monthly screening files to assign prospects to specific MBSD fundraising staff.

• Supports the Associate Director in maintaining current and accurate documentation detailing assignment procedures and policies.

• Cultivates partnerships with MBSD relationship managers to understand philanthropic priorities within their respective areas.

• Prepares and distributes recurring reports under the direction of the Associate Director.

• Conducts prospect research, prospect management, strategic planning and market research on prospects and donors.

• Develops, maintains, and updates information on new and existing prospects, solving problems as they arise.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a research and writing intensive field such as social sciences, history, economics, or library sciences. 

Experience:

• A minimum of one year of development experience including prospect research and prospect management in a major and principal gift program. 

• Experience in an academic medical center.

Preferred Competencies

• Proficiency with Windows, network based electronic environments, and the Internet.

• Familiarity with prospect research resources including business and philanthropic publications and automated databases.

• Excellent analytical and communication skills.

• Ability to express information clearly and concisely, whether orally or in writing.

• Discretion and confidentiality.

• Ability to work under tight time frames and with minimal direction required.

• Willingness and ability to develop and maintain expertise in multiple CRM environments.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously with minimal direction.

• Familiarity with an academic medical center environment.

Working Conditions

• Office Environment (hybrid schedule).