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Pomona College · 1 day ago

Assistant Director, Prospect Research & Relationship Management

Claremont

Full-time

Hybrid

Entry, Mid Level

$72K/yr - $77K/yr

2+ years exp

Pomona College is seeking an Assistant Director for Prospect Research and Relationship Management to support frontline fundraisers in advancing the College’s philanthropic mission. The role involves conducting prospect research, managing portfolios, and providing strategic recommendations to optimize fundraising efforts.

Continuing EducationEducationHigher Education

Growth Opportunities

No H1B

Responsibilities

Conduct proactive and ad hoc prospect research, including discovery, qualification, due diligence, and ongoing portfolio research reviews

Produce and maintain comprehensive prospect profiles, briefings, and reports using internal databases and external research tools

Research and evaluate individuals for major gift potential and readiness, including assessment of capacity, inclination, affinity, and engagement history. Ability to also research and evaluate foundations and corporations

Identify prospect traits such as philanthropic interests, professional background, industry involvement, and institutional relationships, and synthesize findings into actionable fundraising recommendations

Fulfill ad hoc research and strategy requests in consultation with the Associate Director and Senior Director, balancing proactive portfolio work with emerging Advancement priorities

Serve as a primary liaison to frontline fundraisers, providing ongoing portfolio analysis, balance assessment, and strategic recommendations to optimize fundraiser activity and decision support

Lead and support regular portfolio review processes, including assessment of prospect movement, engagement strategy, solicitation readiness, and alignment with institutional priorities. Portfolio recommendations should be informed by ongoing research insights, including capacity, affinity, and engagement indicators

Monitor, evaluate, and recommend adjustments to fundraiser portfolios to ensure appropriate size, composition, and prospect quality, including identifying prospects for reassignment, qualification, or removal based on research findings

Develop, document, and maintain portfolio management policies, procedures, and training materials; support implementation of best practices across Advancement

Proactively surface and communicate insights related to prospect capacity, affinity, timing, life events, wealth changes, and philanthropic activity, including newly identified or unassigned major gift prospects

Enter and maintain accurate, timely, and well-documented prospect, portfolio, and proposal information in the Advancement database in accordance with Advancement policies and procedures

Review data audit reports and proactively recommend process improvements related to data accuracy, workflow efficiency, automation, and policy compliance (e.g., prospect assignments, proposal status, philanthropic interests)

Build subject matter expertise in fundraising strategies, initiatives, and constituent engagement efforts

Collaborate with colleagues to identify opportunities where reporting or analytics can increase efficiency, insight, or strategic decision-making across Advancement

Provide cross-functional backup support for Business Intelligence and reporting workflows, including basic list pulls and data extracts, as needed to ensure continuity of Advancement operations during peak periods, staff absences, or special initiatives

Serve as a core contributor to the Prospect Development function, collaborating with the Associate Director, Senior Director, and other team members to ensure coordinated portfolio management, prospect research, due diligence, and strategic analysis

Provide coverage and cross-functional support across prospect research and relationship management functions as needed to ensure continuity of service to frontline fundraisers

Handle highly sensitive and confidential information with discretion, sound judgment, and professionalism, including information related to trustees, principal- and leadership-level donors, high-profile prospects, volunteers, and internal strategy discussions

Maintain strict confidentiality in accordance with institutional policies, Advancement ethics guidelines, and professional standards, exercising care in determining appropriate access, sharing, and use of information

Qualification

Prospect researchRelationship managementDatabase managementFundraising strategiesCommunication skillsProject managementAttention to detailTeam collaborationAdaptabilityConfidentiality

Required

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience is required

Major in communications, marketing, journalism, business administration, a liberal arts field, required

Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills that is adaptive based on a wide variety of audience

Handling all activities and confidential information with patience, discretion, good judgment, and tact

Ability to prioritize based on understanding of organizational need, manage changing priorities while maintaining proactive and timely communications

Demonstrated professional skills in prospect research and relationship management with a strong knowledge of research techniques and industry ethical guidelines

Capacity to read and understand SEC, real estate, and other financial information preferred

Adept at using basic office software such as Word and PowerPoint, with an emphasis on Excel

Demonstrated knowledge and use of research and related databases and software (such as Tableau, Lexis-Nexis, Kindsight, and RelSci)

Excellent project management and organizational skills, including the ability to remain focused and effective handling multiple tasks and deadlines

Knowledge of Pomona College's mission and environment

Willingness to learn new skills, adapt to change, and to receive input from colleagues as well as accept direction from supervisor