Development Officer, Research & Prospect Development

Reporting to the Director, Annual Programs and Philanthropy Insights, the Development Officer, Research and Prospect Development plays an integral role in advancing key donor relationships through prospect research, identification, and management. The Development Officer conducts timely, accurate, and strategic research and generates insights that inform qualification, cultivation, and solicitation decisions. They also partner actively with frontline fundraisers on portfolio management and reporting, leveraging the Tessitura CRM database to its fullest. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Conduct prospect research using internet search, subscribed online databases, and in-house records. Efficiently, accurately, and strategically produce reports on the biography, wealth, and philanthropy of current and prospective MFA donors and Governance members. 
• Identify and assess new prospective donors capable of major restricted, endowment, capital, or planned gifts. 
• Respond to ad-hoc inquiries from fundraisers and senior leadership, including relationship-mapping, to inform assignment, cultivation, and solicitation decisions. 
• Extract, analyze, and report on prospect activity, portfolio management, and fundraising outcomes using Tessitura CRM database. 
• Support documentation of prospect research, data entry, and reporting processes. Identify and recommend process improvements. Support division in effectively leveraging the Tessitura database.
• Partner with frontline fundraising staff as assigned to lead regular portfolio review meetings, including related reporting, research, and data updates. Support portfolio management and data integrity on an ongoing basis. 
• Support due diligence review and news media monitoring for high-priority prospects and institutional partners, with particular attention to litigation, regulatory actions, sanctions and watchlists, corruption and fraud, and other activities that may conflict with the MFA's mission and values.
• Monitor news media for relevant significant developments within philanthropy in Boston. 
• Stay current on trends and best practices in the prospect development field. 
• Participate in division-wide and Museum-wide meetings and projects as necessary. 
• Perform other related duties as required or directed.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree, and 2+ years of prospect research or closely related experience within a complex fundraising team. 
• Strategic thinking and analytical skills; demonstrated ability to synthesize information into concise assessment and key points. 
• Excellent writing and proofreading skills, with a high level of attention to detail. 
• Experience with common online research tools, such as LexisNexis and DonorSearch, and quick-to-learn new software. 
• High degree of comfort with Microsoft Office 365, including intermediate level Microsoft Excel. 
• Significant experience with relational databases, data mining and analysis, and report creation. 
• Ability to balance multiple projects in a time-sensitive environment while still producing quality work. 
• A collaborative, team-oriented mindset and comfort with working independently. 
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion, and commitment to professional ethics. 
• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, subject to change.

SALARY RANGE:

Full-time Salary, 35 hours per week

$62,000-$68,000  

This position is affiliated with the UAW union.

The MFA is an equal opportunity employer. The community and audience we serve is diverse, and we wish to foster that diversity in our workplace. Toward that end, the MFA does not discriminate against individuals in hiring, employment or promotion on the basis of race, religion, color, sex/gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, handicap or disability, veteran or military status, political belief, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.