Director, Prospect Management (Hybrid/Remote)

The Director of Prospect Management works within Research and Prospect Development (RPD) and serves as part of a comprehensive fundraising team for Vanderbilt University. The Director is the business owner and lead for DAR’s robust prospect management system, setting the vision for this area, guiding the prospect management program toward best-in-class services, and proactively identifying and seeking creative solutions to complex challenges. This position may be hybrid or fully remote with quarterly travel to the Vanderbilt campus in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Department of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. The Department is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University’s teaching and research programs.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Sets policy, protocol, and procedure for DAR’s prospect management program. Core responsibilities are to create and direct/execute complex analyses around prospect management successes and opportunities, philanthropic patterns, data trends, etc., and communicate findings in insightful and actionable ways to drive data-based decision making at all levels of DAR. 
• Conceptualizes and develops documentation and training of prospect management policies, protocols, and business practices, communicating effectively to multiple audiences. 
• Promotes effective prospect tracking and reporting. Monitors accuracy and integrity of prospect-related data in the DAR’s CRM (Salesforce) and implements improvements to the donor pipeline reporting and evaluation process.
• Serves as a strategic partner and trusted advisor with staff across DAR while managing a slate of client relationships. Partners closely with colleagues across RPD, DAR-Operations, and Vanderbilt’s Office of Data and Strategic Analytics to achieve unit goals. 
• Supervises and develops a staff of prospect management professionals to ensure the highest quality work for all university clients. As an RPD leader, this role fosters enthusiasm among team members and clients, advocating for RPD and enhancing the team’s work. This role trains, coaches, and mentors a team, creating a culture that values continued professional development and intentional feedback. 
• Safeguards the confidentiality of donor information at all times by upholding DAR policies regarding confidential information. 
• Adheres to ethical and confidentiality guidelines as indicated by the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA) as well as university guidelines.
• Performs other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Supervisory Relationships: This position has supervisory responsibility. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Executive Director of Research and Prospect Development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent, is required. 
• Five years of relevant experience is required. Experience in university advancement or development operations preferred.
• Proven success in working independently, prioritizing work, and managing multiple, diverse, and competing priorities under tight deadlines. Exceptional planning, time management, and organizational skills with a meticulous attention to detail, are a must.
• Experience working with a relational database is required (preferably Salesforce), as well as Microsoft Office products. 
• Management experience with a focus on building a positive team environment as well as an aptitude in delegating work and providing feedback to staff. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and communication (written and verbal), including demonstrated ability in developing strategic partnerships with all levels of staff to influence results. 
• Strong project management and problem-solving skills, including developing plans with clear vision, goals, strategies, and defined outcomes.