Director, Prospect Intelligence

JOB SUMMARY:

As our Director, Prospect Intelligence, you will serve as a vital strategic partner within the Institutional Advancement team, acting as the primary engine for proactive donor identification and actionable business intelligence. Every day you will leverage sophisticated research methodologies and data analytics to uncover hidden philanthropic potential and qualify the next generation of major gift supporters for the Rhode Island School of Design.

To be successful in this role, you must synthesize complex financial, biographical, and relational data into high-level briefing materials that empower frontline fundraisers to navigate the donor pipeline with precision. By merging traditional investigative research with modern predictive modeling and wealth screening analysis, the Director ensures the institution’s fundraising efforts focus on the most promising opportunities, ultimately driving growth in the donor pool and the long-term success of RISD’s philanthropic mission.

As a key leader within Institutional Advancement, the Director provides strategic direction, mentorship, and direct supervision to the prospect intelligence team. You will foster a collaborative, high-performance culture, manage workloads and priorities, and align the team's research and analytical capabilities with the institution's overarching fundraising goals. Through proactive leadership, the Director ensures staff continue to develop professionally while establishing metrics for accountability and excellence in data-driven prospect development.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/DUTIES:

Applied Prospect Research & Identification:

• Deep-Dive Profiling: Proactively conduct comprehensive research on individuals, corporations, and foundations using standard industry resources like LexisNexis, iWave, and Donor Search.

• Wealth Screening Management: Effectively utilize and analyze wealth screenings to identify new opportunities for gift officer qualification.

• Capacity Rating: Implement qualification rating processes to evaluate financial giving capacity and affinity for RISD.

• Volunteer Research: Identify and profile potential candidates for the Board of Trustees, Board of Governors, and other key volunteer leadership roles.

Data Analytics & Pipeline Support:

• Predictive Modeling: Employ data analytics and predictive modeling to explain donor trends and predict future giving behavior.

• Pipeline Replenishment: Establish and maintain a process to ensure frontline fundraisers have a steady stream of new prospects to replace disqualified leads. Support collaboration between the Annual Giving and Major Gifts teams and recommend prospect moves management where appropriate.

• Visual Analysis: Apply descriptive statistics and data visualization to communicate prospect data to internal audiences.

Operational Support:

• Database Maintenance: When necessary, use Raiser’s Edge/NXT to record database coding, track potential prospects, and run queries/reports

• Constituent Record Integrity: Lead the strategic effort to ensure the institutional database is comprehensively updated and maintained with accurate educational histories and records.

• Museum Membership Integration: Oversee the systemic integration and updating of museum membership records within the database to maximize constituency tracking and uncover pipeline crossover opportunities. 

• Project Management: Manage the workflow of prospect research, prospecting, and prospect management and tracking – reporting on new prospects identified and assigned, proposals generated and special projects.

• Portfolio Support: Ensure donor outreach and NXT are being leveraged effectively for VPIA and senior staff

Management:

• Manage day-to-day operations and prioritize workload across the prospect intelligence team to ensure timely and accurate completion of deliverables.

• Provide daily guidance, direction, and support to team members to maintain productivity, accountability, and service quality.

• Coordinate and adjust priorities in response to changing business needs, urgent requests, and shifting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Duties:

• Perform other duties as assigned, including occasional nights and weekend work required for Commencement and Reunion Weekend, and other campus events; and possible travel to facilitate peer screening sessions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and a minimum of seven (7) years of experience in advancement, prospect development, or a related field, preferably as a frontline fundraiser, are required.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted for the minimum educational requirement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated experience in directly supervising, mentoring, and developing a team of research or data professionals.

• Demonstrated ability to create and maintain a team culture committed to respectful and inclusive relationships, and to work and communicate effectively with a broad spectrum of divisional and institutional colleagues.

• Proficient in using relational databases (Raiser’s Edge preferred), with a deep understanding of information management.

• Demonstrated experience using data analytics and predictive modeling techniques to identify donor trends, forecast giving behavior, and support strategic fundraising initiatives.

• Computer proficiency; experience with Microsoft Word and Excel; LexisNexis; iWave/Wealth Engine/Donor Search/gnosis and other appropriate electronic resources.

• Strong organizational skills, the ability to work independently, and exercise sound judgment and initiative.

• Strong oral communication skills. Proficiency in writing clearly and concisely.

• Demonstrated ability to bring large-scale projects to completion.

• Knowledge of and demonstrated experience with staff supervision, principles of management, leadership, conflict resolution, negotiation and motivation.

• Strong problem-solving, critical thinking and analytical skills.

• Experience in development in an educational institution, strongly preferred.

• Ability to appropriately use and manage sensitive and confidential data.

• Must meet the qualifications of The Body of Knowledge, the advanced skills set as defined by the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA).

• Proven success at establishing and achieving quantifiable objectives.

• Commitment to the mission and values of RISD and a passion for learning and continuous improvement.

• Commitment to supporting an inclusive work environment and the ability to work respectfully and effectively across differences in background, role, and perspective.

Union:

No

Work Schedule:

35 hours per week; 12 months per year

Employment Status:

Full-time; Exempt; Regular

Grade:

560EX

Work Modality

Hybrid Eligible

Documents Needed to Apply:

Resume (Required)

Cover Letter (Required)

Salary Grade Structure

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please upload all required documents.

The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.

RISD recognizes inclusion and belonging as fundamental to its learning and working community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to this community and to our commitment to excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.

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