Prospect Development Specialist

VISION: Transform the university through the power of generosity.

MISSION: Unite donor passions with university priorities to elevate the impact of Oklahoma State University.

DEPARTMENT PURPOSE: To strategically guide and support fundraising efforts through data-driven prospect identification and development.

PRIMARY PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this role is to ensure the accuracy relevance and strategic use of prospect data through audits research monitoring and support for fundraising efforts and processes.


KEY AREAS OF FOCUS:
Maintain Prospect Data Integrity (20%)

• Conduct regular data reviews and data hygiene projects to ensure that Prospect Engagement and Prospect Research data is as accurate as possible in OSU Foundations CRM.
• Provide support for the Prospect Engagement teams audits of prospect development data in OSU Foundations CRM including contact report proposal assignment and strategy data.

Research and Engagement Requests (50%)

• Complete basic prospect research requests including contact information lookups gift capacity rating calculations and biographical data look ups. Assist with more comprehensive/in-depth research as needed.
• Assist the Prospect Engagement team with prospect list generation and prospect referral reviews. Utilize a variety of tools and resources to ensure portfolios and proposal pipelines are aligned with fundraising priorities and donor interests.

Monitor Prospects (15%)

• Monitor and coordinate the automated prospect wealth screening system; refer promising prospects identified in the system to frontline fundraisers.
• Monitor news sources for information that involves both known prospects and potential prospects; pass relevant news alerts on to appropriate fundraisers.

Training and Documentation (15%)

• Serve as a resource for fundraisers who have questions about prospect development processes and information.
• Assist with prospect development training.
• Assist with documenting and maintaining prospect development business processes.
• Keep track of fundraising priorities to assist in guiding prospecting efforts.

Other duties as assigned.

JOB COMPETENCIES AND EXPERIENCE:
Education & Certifications-

• Bachelors Degree plus three or more years of relevant experience; or the combination of education and related experience that enables performance of all aspects of the position.

Experience-

• Strong analytical skills to assess problems and determine creative solutions.
• Solid communication skills with ability to communicate technical information to non-technical users.
• Extensive experience with Microsoft Office especially Excel.
• Proven sense of humor and ability to have fun.
  

Organizational Competencies-

• Effective Communication: Proactively ensures effective communication throughout the organization; makes relevant contributions to discussions and meetings giving clear and concise
• explanations and sticking to the point; chooses language and communication method to suit the audience reframes and articulates to help others understand; asks questions to check understanding when disseminating information.
• Execution & Initiative: Motivates self and others to achieve the best results displaying energy drive and a desire to succeed; enlists the support of others as necessary to overcome resistance; supervises cross-functional project team execution on tasks to meet stated objectives; helps other employees gain the skills and experience they need to contribute; proactively outlines milestones outcomes and deliverables and effectively communicates them to internal and external stakeholders.
• Teamwork/Interpersonal Skills: Develops and nurtures formal & informal relationships with a wide circle of people beyond those involved in current activities including potential donors stakeholders and information links; encourages collaboration among colleagues departments and entire organization to achieve results; compromises handles conflicts seeks common ground articulates own and others goals; stays focused on positive win-win outcomes; seeks input on how to leverage existing processes to improve the donor experience; translates ideas into action.
• Problem Solving/Judgment: Gains understanding of how to apply approved policies and procedures; when and why escalation of issues is needed and to whom and communicates decisions and desired outcomes to others; anticipates the outcome of a single decision; recognizes problems in advance systematically gathers information to define the root cause breaks down complex information into component parts develops alternatives seeks input from others selects and recommends the best solution.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Embraces complex or first-time problems as opportunities to learn and incorporate new skills; flexes style based on immediate needs; accepts responsibility for implementing change; evaluates and manages resources needed to implement change; personally supports (in words and actions) organizational direction and change agenda.
• Courage & Conviction: Takes responsibility for individual & project outcomes regardless of success and learns from all results; encourages candid responses feedback new ideas and conflicting opinions.
• Donor Centered: Takes time to actively learn about the stated needs by asking questions exploring how to unite the donors and universitys passions and priorities; anticipates customer needs and proactively makes recommendations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must use a computer terminal and view a computer screen for extended periods of time. Must talk in person or by phone (frequently and sometimes for extended periods) to people on campus and across the country. Must constantly use visual acuity to check printed and designed materials of various types. Must be able to navigate within the OSU Foundation. Typical office working conditions.

Required Experience:

IC