Director of Prospect Management and Research

What We're Looking For

The director of prospect management oversees, manages, and directs all aspects of the   prospect development & prospect research programs within the Advancement Services department at Baylor University. This individual is responsible for establishing and maintaining a robust prospect management and research program in line with current industry best practices and in consideration of established technology resources. The Director is responsible for establishing processes for moves management, prospect pipeline development, prospect portfolios, prospect research strategies, prospect engagement measurements, proposal pipeline activity, research requests, and data hygiene best practices.  

A bachelor's degree and five years of relevant work experience are required. A master's degree is preferred.

A hybrid work arrangement will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a Full-Time basis. 

What You Will Do

Direct and manage a formalized proactive prospect identification and evaluation system to generate increased numbers of new potential annual, leadership, major, planned, and principal giving prospects:

• Manage, provide direction, and mentor the prospect management team focused on identifying, researching, and managing prospects for the University’s Advancement efforts – with an emphasis on analyzing and interpreting data to build and understand Baylor’s relationships with these prospects.
• Coordinate all wealth screening research for annual, leadership, major, principal, and planned gifts – including establishing priorities and managing research project workflow to ensure deadlines are successfully met and align with fundraising goals.
• Coordinate with Baylor’s IT, reporting/analytics, and data management departments for data entry, reporting, and analysis needs related to Advancement and prospect management. 
• Establish an advanced research strategy for data collection and analysis, utilizing technology and tools internally and externally to identify and flag key potential prospects.
• Use quantitative analyses to estimate the philanthropic capacity and affinity of prospects.
• Leverage prospecting methodologies and utilize data sources internal and external to Baylor to develop prospect lists for specific fundraising initiatives and priorities.
• Use prospecting tools such as wealth screenings to identify new prospects, and to provide analyses of targeted groups and the overall prospect pool.
• Track and report on the movement of prospects from discovery through stewardship.
• In consultation with Advancement leadership, manage the prospect assignment methodology and process while collaborate with the appropriate managers to facilitate assignment of prospects into the appropriate portfolios.
• Establish and maintain policies and procedures on research methodologies, processes for evaluating financial capacity and affinity for giving, donor analytics and predictive modeling, and ensuring the confidentiality and privacy of donor information.  
• Effectively and proactively communicate with colleagues and university leadership verbally, in writing, or through a variety of presentations.
• Oversee and provide guidance to various Advancement Services processes, plans, and programs.
• Review data and pulls reports to utilize for decision making.  
• Manage employees and ensures accountability for the performance and results of team members.

Facilitate the day-to-day operation of the prospect management system to help Baylor systematically move potential and qualified prospects through the development stages in order to maximize fundraising results:

• Schedule and lead portfolio/prospect management meetings with managers of each fundraising team to include annual fund, leadership annual fund, principal gifts, and major gifts teams. 
• Facilitate the organization of meetings with gift officers and respective supervisor(s) to review prospect portfolio and moves management progress against established protocols and metrics.
• Develop supportive and productive relationships between prospect development staff development officers, as well as others in the Advancement Division. 
• Lead prospect management staff in the orientation and training to development officers and others on the principles and details of Baylor’s prospect management and tracking system, including using Baylor’s database information system.
• Construct and provide queries and regularly scheduled reports for prospect management purposes, including those used at regularly scheduled prospect management meetings.
• Review dashboards necessary for individual gift officers and supervisors to track activity and ensure optimal portfolio and prospect pool management. Communicate findings to managers/supervisors.
• Define and execute tactics designed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of prospect development by leveraging systems, technology, reporting, and resource allocation.
• Reinforce the Division’s guidelines for documenting interactions with prospects and tracking moves management stages.
• Maintain, regularly review, and update prospect management policies and procedures.

Manage the workflow of prospecting, donor analytics, prospect research, prospect management, tracking, and reporting:

• Supervise prospect development staff who support the prospecting process through reactive and proactive research responsibilities.
• Manages the documentation of prospect management policies and procedures. Oversees regular training sessions for division employees on prospect management policies and data entry requirements.  Audits and proofs process to ensure compliance towards data entry timeliness and accurateness expectations. Reports findings to leadership. 
• Keep procedures and policies current, relevant, and clearly communicated. In consultation with Advancement leadership, create and communicate new procedures as needed. Enhance the Advancement Division’s understanding of prospect management’s work through effective communication and training.
• Manage the resources for prospect development and research such as Lexis-Nexis, Blackbaud Target Analytics, etc. 
• Ensure and maintain the quality and relevance of services and products.
• Perform all other duties as assigned to support Baylor’s mission 
• Ability to comply with University policies 
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance  

What You Can Expect

As part of the Baylor family, eligible employees receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, generous time off, tuition remission, and outstanding automatic retirement contributions. Baylor has a comprehensive benefits plan that supports you and your family’s wellbeing and allows you to be a part of the life of a vibrant and active college campus.  To learn more, go to Baylor Benefits & Advantages.

Explore & Engage

Learn more about Baylor and our strategic vision, Illuminate.  Also, explore our great hometown of Waco and the many opportunities to engage locally.  If you are new to Central Texas, This is Waco! 

Baylor University is a private not-for-profit university affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, Baylor is committed to compliance with all applicable anti-discrimination laws, including those regarding age, race, color, sex, national origin, military service, genetic information, and disability. Baylor’s commitment to equal opportunity and respect of others does not undermine the validity and effect of the constitutional and statutory protections for its religious liberty, including, without limitation, the religious organization exemption under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the religious exemption to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, among others.  Baylor encourages women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply. EEO/M/F/Vets/Disabled