Position Description

Assistant Director of Prospect Development
Job Category Fulltime Regular
ExemptOvertimeEligible Exempt
Benefits Eligible Benefit Based
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Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

Within AAR’s Data and Business Intelligence unit and reporting to the Director of Prospect Development, the Assistant Director of Prospect Development (AD) provides prospect research and strategic support to promote fundraiser success at the $1M+ level. The AD collaborates with members of the Prospect Development team, Data and Business Intelligence and other members of AAR as needed to identify and provide actionable prospects and intelligence to bolster fundraiser success in order to ensure Caltech exceeds its ambitious fundraising goals.

Essential Job Duties

  • Proactively identify, research, and analyze new and existing donors and prospects for gift cultivation.
    • Collaborate with other members of Prospect Development team to ensure a strong pipeline of UHNW prospects, especially those who have not been previously engaged with Caltech.
    • Research philanthropists and UHNW individuals to identify their interests and potential opportunities to attract them to Caltech.
    • Research and document potential connections between these individuals with current Caltech constituents.
    • Monitor the prospect and donor pool for engagement opportunities and potential matches with targeted priority areas.
    • Support the documentation of $1M+ rated prospect strategy notes in the database and participate in the fundraiser portfolio review process as needed.
  • Perform expert biographical and financial analysis to establish prospect research ratings and develop strategy.
  • Respond in a timely manner to all research inquiries utilizing existing database, paid subscriptions, and standard public information sources. 
  • Perform prospect research tasks and analysis and enter information into database in an accurate and efficient manner.
  • Actively participate in prospect review and strategy meetings, suggesting strategies and brainstorming next steps.
  • Provide comprehensively researched written bios for Presidential briefings.
  • Build and maintain solid relationships with fundraisers and other colleagues across campus.
  • Ensure that the Institute’s policies and procedures on prospect and donor confidentiality are followed.

Basic Qualifications

  • Strong sense of curiosity and critical thinking
  • Proven ability to deal with confidential matters with tact and sensitivity and the ability to practice and adhere to organizational values.
  • Experience in research, tracking or data analysis, within higher education, political, or non-profit organizations.
  • Familiarity with industry-standard sources of data
  • Demonstrated ability to lead within a team and promote partnership, while also working independently, setting priorities, juggling tasks as needed, and completing projects within specified timeframes amidst a face paced work environment.
  • Skills in managing multiple high priorities, individually and for a team, with great attention to detail and execution.
  • Demonstrated ability to contribute to strategic discussions, connecting the science of research with the art of relationship building.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills. Comfort and experience communicating with individuals from diverse backgrounds by phone, email and in person.
  • Solid knowledge of MS Office Suite and familiarity with CRM databases
  • Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent
  • Excellent written communication skills to prepare detailed, analytical profiles for use by institution leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Two or more years of experience in prospect management and research.
  • Demonstrated familiarity with data sources and methods for discovering and documenting wealth and supporting successful fundraising efforts leading to $1M+ gifts.
  • Familiarity with tracking financial transactions in the US and overseas
  • Experience researching overseas prospects.
  • Due diligence research
  • Experience managing vendor relationships.

Required Documents

  • Resume.
  • Cover Letter.

Hiring Range

$80,500 - $98,300 per year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks. 

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.

Disability Accommodations

If you would like to request an accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Caltech Recruiting at employment@caltech.edu. 

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