Director, Research & Prospect Management

About the Organization

The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), founded in 1869 with a dual mission of scientific research and science education, is one of the world’s preeminent scientific, educational, and cultural institutions. The Museum encompasses more than 40 permanent exhibition halls, galleries for temporary exhibitions, the Rose Center for Earth and Space, including the Hayden Planetarium, and the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation. The Museum’s scientists draw on a world-class permanent collection of more than 30 million specimens and objects, some of which are billions of years old, and on one of the largest natural history libraries in the world. Through its Richard Gilder Graduate School, the Museum offers two of the only free-standing, degree-granting programs of their kind at any museum in the U.S.: the Ph.D. program in Comparative Biology and the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Earth Science residency program. Visit amnh.org for more information.

Position Overview

The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) seeks a strategic and analytically rigorous Director, Research & Prospect Management to lead the Museum's research, prospect management, portfolio strategy, and pipeline development work in support of the Advancement team’s fundraising priorities.

Reporting to the Vice President, Advancement Operations and Strategy, the Director will manage a team of two direct reports and serve as the Museum's primary resource for prospect and donor research, prospect strategy, and portfolio management. This role partners closely with colleagues across Major Gifts, Planned Giving, Principal Gifts, Corporate Relations, Advancement Events, and Advancement Services to ensure research and data consistently inform fundraising strategy.

The Director will have the unique opportunity to redefine the role in a more expansive and modern direction by strengthening portfolio review practices, deepening the use of modeling and data in assignment decisions, and building a more proactive, institution-wide approach to prospecting and pipeline development.

Responsibilities

Research & Analysis

• In partnership with the Vice President, Advancement Operations and Strategy, develop and implement prospect research methodologies, standards, and best practices that support the Museum’s fundraising priorities.
• Produce narrative research profiles on donors, volunteer leadership, and other prospects, drawing on financial databases, 990 filings, and other holdings-related sources.
• Provide thoughtful analysis and recommendations that help Advancement and Museum leadership understand the significance of research findings and determine appropriate next steps.
• Bring a strong data and analytical orientation to the role, using metrics, trends, and modeling outputs to inform research priorities and decisions.
• Monitor news and conduct reputational research on individuals and organizations connected to the Museum's fundraising efforts.
• Exercise sound judgment in handling sensitive research findings, determining what to include and how to communicate it professionally.

Prospecting & Pipeline Development

• Lead proactive prospect identification efforts across Advancement to build and strengthen fundraiser portfolios and identify pipeline gaps and opportunities.
• Partner with Advancement and Corporate colleagues to develop prospect pipelines for emerging Advancement priorities, strategic opportunities, leadership travel, and Museum events.
• Build a more intentional system for leveraging Museum events, exhibition openings, and other institutional gatherings as prospecting opportunities, including attendee review, identification of high-potential prospects, post-event follow-up, and communication with the appropriate fundraising teams.

Committee Support & Volunteer Leadership

• Serve as the Vice President's primary partner on the Committee on Trustees’ work, managing the committee's prospecting and research needs from start to finish for each meeting.
• Surface, assess, and track prospective candidates for Board and volunteer leadership consideration.
• Partner with frontline fundraisers to build a pipeline of prospects for volunteer leadership groups across Individual Giving and Advancement Events.

Portfolio Strategy & Management

• Oversee how prospects are segmented and assigned within Raiser’s Edge NXT.
• Strengthen portfolio reviews, establish clearer assignment criteria, and apply modeling and wealth screening data to determine portfolio fit.
• Develop and refine moves management policies, portfolio review practices, and database-related processes.
• Ensure fundraiser portfolios are appropriately sized and composed to support effective qualification, cultivation, and solicitation.

Data, Technology, and Innovation

• Strengthen the use of data, modeling, wealth screening, and prospecting tools to inform research priorities, prospect strategy, and portfolio decisions.
• Partner with Advancement Services colleagues to support effective use of Raiser’s Edge NXT, modeling outputs, and other data sources.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and insight through updated workflows, tools, and research practices.
• Stay current on trends and best practices in prospect research, prospect management, fundraising analytics, AI, and data-informed fundraising.

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Manage and develop a team of two direct reports, a manager, and a coordinator, creating clear paths for growth, setting measurable goals, and fostering a collaborative and high-performing team culture.
• Partner with Advancement and Corporate colleagues by providing research, analysis, and recommendations that inform cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and portfolio management decisions.
• Work closely with Advancement Services on database policy, process, and data maintenance.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in prospect research and portfolio management in a complex nonprofit, cultural, or mission-driven institution.
• Minimum of 4 years of management experience, including demonstrated experience successfully leading and managing a team.
• Experience using financial databases, reviewing 990s and other financial holdings, and producing high-quality research profiles.
• Familiarity with Raiser's Edge NXT (strongly preferred) and wealth screening tools (such as iWave, LexisNexis, RelSci, or similar).
• Comfort with analytics, Excel, and modeling outputs, with the ability to translate data into portfolio and prospecting strategy.
• Experience with moves management systems, policy development, and portfolio review or assignment frameworks.
• Strong writing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, useful, and actionable research.
• Strong analytical, research, organizational, and project management skills.
• Genuine affinity for the natural world and the ability to engage authentically with the Museum's research, exhibitions, and scientific work.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual salary in the range of $140 - $165K. Pay will be determined based on several factors. The hiring range for the position at commencement is based on the type of work and the scope of responsibilities. The salary and placement offered are based on a number of individualized factors, including, but not limited to, skills, knowledge, training, education, credentials, areas of specialization, and depth and scope of experience.
• AMNH offers an extensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, and Life Insurance, Retirement Plans, and PTO. Learn more at amnh.org.

Application Process

Please submit application materials using the form below.

Orr Group

AMNH has retained the Orr Group to conduct this search. Please direct all inquiries, interest, and nominations to the Orr Group search team. 

Jesse Bryan

Vice President

Orr Group

jbryan@orrgroup.com

About Orr Group

Orr Group is a strategic partner to nonprofit organizations, offering comprehensive fundraising and executive recruitment support that advances mission, maximizes philanthropic potential, and builds long-term sustainability. We specialize in the business of philanthropy, helping our partners drive results through data-informed strategies, embedded team members, and hands-on implementation.