Sep 6th, 2024
Georgia Tech Institute for Technology
About the Organization
Georgia Tech is a top-ranked public research university situated in the heart of Atlanta, a diverse and vibrant city with numerous economic and cultural strengths. The Institute serves more than 45,000 students through top-ranked undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs in engineering, computing, science, business, design, and liberal arts. Georgia Tech's faculty attracted more than $1.4 billion in research awards this past year in fields ranging from biomedical technology to artificial intelligence, energy, sustainability, semiconductors, neuroscience, and national security. Georgia Tech ranks among the nation's top 20 universities for research and development spending and No. 1 among institutions without a medical school.
Job Description
Position Summary
The Director of Prospect Research in the Office of Development (DEV), in partnership with the AVP of Operations and Services and the Director of Prospect Management, plans, leads, implements and coordinates all elements of the Research function, including advising on and determining goals, resources, standards, strategies and tactics for prospect identification, rating, description and summarization; they are responsible for budget planning as well as supervision and thoughtful professional development of Research staff and their work. They and their team identify and evaluate major and principal gift prospects for strategic engagement and philanthropic support of Georgia Tech. They conduct and review detailed research using on-line databases, in-house data, and other reference sources. They design, create, and review written reports compiling and synthesizing this information, and oversee appropriate dissemination and presentation based on audience and situation. They use prospecting tools such as screening, data modeling, and alerts to build prospect pools and identify targeted groups in line with the needs identified by Prospect Management. They provide analysis and recommend suitable strategies for prospects in relation to institutional fundraising opportunities, and partner with the Director of Prospect Management to ensure identified prospects are placed into and moved along the pipeline.
Responsibilities:
Plan, develop, organize, implement, coordinate, monitor and evaluate research efforts.
Hire, train, evaluate and proactively supervise research staff. Work creatively to ensure appropriate staffing levels for all areas and projects. Thoughtfully design and implement professional development plans for all research staff to demonstrate growth and improvement in identified areas.
Lead the development of strategic goals and directions for research; participate in setting Operations’ strategic goals and direction. Set relevant goals for research functions.
Develop and refine efficient methods for understanding and reporting on productivity and tying contribution to Development efforts and progress.
Conduct detailed biographical, business and financial research on individuals and organizations using on-line databases, in-house data, and other reference sources. Provide capacity assessments on prospects in ongoing projects and upon request. Prepare briefings and other formatted reports synthesizing this information as appropriate for a variety of audiences and situations.
Identify potential donors to Georgia Tech as new prospects for future research and cultivation. Conduct special prospect identification projects in support of identified priorities and initiatives. Review and validate regular screening results. Conduct in-depth analysis on leadership groups, as well as financial results.
Establish and maintain turnaround and quality control standards for research-specific materials and communications produced by the department. Review outgoing materials for accuracy, content, presentation and consistency with departmental standards.
Develop and maintain an ongoing, collaborative relationship with Prospect Management, Information Services, Principal and Major Gift leadership and officers. Develop particular knowledge about Georgia Tech and its programs, projects, personnel and initiatives. Proactively monitor and prepare for key initiatives and events that would benefit from research analysis and briefing materials.
Onboard and train current and new Development and related staff on understanding and interpreting research products and initiatives.
Train and coach Research staff on research and analysis information resources, techniques and standards.
Methodically update and oversee the updating of paper, online and imaged files and CRM records on constituents.
Gain and maintain proficiency in the use of commercial databases, free Internet resources, and internal systems. Regularly assess and advise on the most effective combination of tools and products in the marketplace; make recommendations on budgetary allocations for best resource usage. Oversee subscription testing and maintenance and vendor relationships.
Assist in maintaining internal systems and products, including contributing to the upkeep of departmental Intranet and other sites.
Gain and maintain awareness of issues within the development profession, particularly relating to ethics, privacy and compliance, and of the goals and activities of Georgia Tech and its peer institutions. Define and implement procedures and policies on ethics and confidentiality, and appropriate dissemination of information.
Monitor and participate in relevant listserves, publications and professional groups to maintain a strong knowledge of developments in the field of research and related functions. Identify and attend relevant meetings, conferences, and related training opportunities of vendors and professional organizations.
Serve on administrative teams as appointed.
Perform related duties and assist AVP and related partners with projects as assigned.