Associate Director, Prospect Research

SUMMARY

The Associate Director, Prospect Research, is a pivotal contributor to CalArts' fundraising initiatives. Reporting to the Executive Director, Advancement Services, this role involves conducting research, analysis, and presentation of financial and biographical information on major prospects. The Associate Director actively plays a role in constructing a robust pipeline of potential university donors by reviewing and prioritizing newly identified prospects and presenting recommendations to senior leadership.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (including, but not limited to):

• Develop and nurture relationships with department and senior leadership to provide strategic support for fundraising and institutional objectives.
• Construct and curate prospect portfolios for Advancement staff and key leadership.
• Lead donor strategy and prospect portfolio meetings to guide cultivation and solicitation plans for major donor prospects.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director, Advancement Services, to establish and refine prospect management policies and procedures.
• Ensure precision, consistency, and adherence to established policies in prospect management systems.
• Prepare regular analytical reports on prospect management and activity metrics for senior leadership.
• Conduct comprehensive research and analysis of donor and prospect information using various databases and online resources.
• Manage a proactive prospect screening schedule, including incoming parent screenings, and provide precise data to Advancement staff.
• Deliver training to new and existing staff on prospect management policies and procedures, including introductory prospect research training for development support staff.
• Collaborate with the Associate Director, Database Administration, to develop and implement key reports for prospect identification and donor behavior analysis.
• Formulate and execute effective research strategies to generate customized prospect profiles and summaries for development staff and Institute leadership.

SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Profound understanding of major gifts fundraising and its interplay with prospect management.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written.
• Mastery of best practices in prospect research and fundraising.
• Knowledge of capacity rating systems and a track record of providing accurate capacity estimates.
• Expertise in collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating information.
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Sound judgment, strict confidentiality, and discretion in communicating with colleagues and constituents.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 3 years of progressive work experience in prospect development or an equivalent combination of education and experience, preferably in higher education.
• Extensive background in prospect research, including proactive prospecting and screening methodologies.
• Proficiency in information management systems, policy development, procedures, and training materials.
• Strong working knowledge of database systems.
• Ability to effectively prioritize workload, manage multiple projects concurrently, and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated success in contributing to a high-impact, customer-focused service environment.
• Deep understanding of and commitment to APRA’s code of ethics and professional conduct.

This position is available immediately. If you are interested, please follow the link to Interfolio below:

Associate Director, Prospect Research - ID:129047

Salary

$72,774.00 - $82,290.00 a year

California Institute of the Arts shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

CalArts has a multidisciplinary approach to its studies of the arts through six schools: Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music and Theater. CalArts encourages students to explore and recognize the complexity of the many aspects of the arts. It is supported by a distinguished faculty of practicing artists and provides its Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts students with the hands-on training and exposure necessary for an artist's growth. CalArts was founded in 1961 and opened in 1969 as the first institution of higher learning in the United States specifically for students interested in the pursuit of degrees in all areas of visual and performing arts.