Job Description

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 are directly related to this position.

Please note:

• this position is not eligible for sponsorship
• this is a data, not a medical/computational position

The Senior Prospect Research Consultant partners with a portfolio of assigned Michigan Medicine Office of Development gift teams to identify and meet prospect information needs. The Senior Prospect Research Consultant gathers, analyzes, and summarizes information to support cultivation and solicitation of top prospects; these activities include bringing new individuals to the attention of appropriate fundraisers. The Senior Prospect Research Consultant independently manages their own workload, assists the Director and the Assistant Director of Development Research, and contributes to the continued growth of the Prospect Development team.  

The position requires on-site work three days per week at the Michigan Medicine Development offices.

Needs Assessment, Outreach, and Partnering (40%)

• Assume primary responsibility for assessing and meeting the prospect identification and information needs of a specifically assigned portfolio of Michigan Medicine Office of Development (MedDev) gift teams enabling them to meet their fundraising goals.  Initiate regular communications with these individuals, keeping abreast of their current fundraising initiatives.  Support prospect strategizing as needed.  
• Consult with development officers to determine feasibility of research requests and special projects.  Negotiate project scopes and deadlines directly with liaised development officers.
• Establish and lead regular meetings with liaised development officer teams to maintain an active pipeline of requests and monitoring of progress towards individual and Michigan Medicine (MM) goals.
• Establish monitoring and seek feedback to ensure development officers receive appropriate support. 
• Participate in projects to improve development officers? understanding and strategic use of development data.  Examples include portfolio review and user education on modeling and wealth screening data. 
• Engage with and educate development officers regarding the use of individual and executive data reporting and visualization dashboards.  
• Be a resource to fundraisers to translate insights and trends into actionable fundraising strategies.
• Coordinate development of initiative policies and best practices related to data usage and pipeline development.
• Create greater visibility to development officers through onsite work three days per week.

Prospect Identification, Research, and Analysis (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 Michigan Medicine (MM). 
• 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 MM.
• Participate in projects to proactively identify and qualify segments of the University?s various internal and external constituencies using data-driven wealth screening, data mining, and modeling projects. 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 MM Development staff members and senior executive officers. 
• Exercise appropriate initiative through troubleshooting and basic project design.  
• Manage special projects as assigned.  
• Submit completed research for data entry into the development central database and for electronic storage in research optical imaging system. 
• Synthesize complex data into key metrics and visualizations, including the creation of interactive geographic visualizations, to provide actionable insights for development officers and internal stakeholders. 
• Provide expertise in research-related data cleanup and integration techniques that optimize fundraising strategies and decision-making across the development office.

Professional and Team Development (20%)

• Provide feedback to the Assistant Director of Development Research and Director regarding daily operations and provide suggestions for improvement as necessary. 
• Take a proactive role in identifying new projects for the team and continually monitor department projects to identify new techniques for improving future deliverables. 
• Independently plan, organize, coordinate, and handle multiple tasks and responsibilities, prioritizing and organizing work to accomplish departmental goals. 
• Assume responsibility for meeting and maintaining the standards set forth in the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA) Skill Set in Prospect Research Fundamentals and Advanced Prospect Research. 
• Assume responsibility for developing and maintaining expertise that enhances the Development Research team. Serve as an internal consultant on research and analysis related to one's area(s) of expertise. Lead periodic peer education sessions to promote professional development and collaboration. 
• Work in a collaborative team environment, sharing knowledge and newly identified sources with Development Research team, and leading or participating in group projects when necessary. 
• Ensure the quality of department projects by assisting with peer editing and general quality control for information distributed through Development Research. 
• Assist the Assistant Director of Development Research as needed. Examples include assigning last-minute requests to ensure timely response, partnering with coworkers outside the department to complete projects. 
• Assist Assistant Director in training and mentoring research analysts in research techniques and educating them about the department?s policies and procedures, the field of prospect research, and the MM development community. 
• Assist in evaluating resources and training opportunities. 
• Provide written recommendations on Development Research policies, procedures, and needs upon request.  Assist in documenting Development Research procedures as necessary. 
• Always safeguard the confidentiality of donor information. Adhere to ethical and confidentiality guidelines of both UM and APRA. 
• Participate at an appropriate level in professional associations such as APRA and CASE, both to increase knowledge and skills and to foster professional relationships with colleagues outside of Michigan Medicine and UM. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

• Bachelor's degree is required, preferably Information Science or Humanities. 
• At least three years of related work experience and at least two years of experience in prospect development or associated fundraising experience. 
• Well-developed interpersonal skills and excellent written and oral communication skills, an aptitude for critical thinking and problem-solving; ability to work well under pressure and maintain flexibility.
• Highly developed scanning, skimming, and reading comprehension skills are essential, as well as superior ability to assess the relative value of, synthesize, and summarize relevant information into coherent, well written documents. 
• Commitment to professional ethics and confidentiality.
• Ability to interact with executive level clients is essential. 
• Ability to learn to navigate unfamiliar information systems and use a variety of computer applications with little or no guidance. 
• Strong computing and online research skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office suite of products, relational database software, online databases, and the Internet. 
• Reliable internet service.
• Three days per week of on-site work at the MM Office of Development offices.  

• An advanced degree is desirable, preferably Library or Information Science fields. 
• Background in Development Research or equivalent amount of relevant experience in academic, nonprofit, or corporate setting is desired. 
• Familiarity with the University organization, policies, and procedures is desirable.

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally.  Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

About University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

A great university is made so by its faculty and staff, and Michigan is recognized as one of the best universities to work for in the country. The Michigan culture is known for engaging faculty and staff in all facets of the university to create a workplace that is vibrant and stimulating.For two consecutive years, the Chronicle of Higher Education has placed U-M in its "Great Colleges to Work For" survey. In particular, the university earns high marks for strong relations between faculty and administrators, a collaborative system of governance, strong pay and benefits, and a healthy work/life balance.

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