Title:
Development Research Specialist - Deadline Extended
Location:
Urbana-Champaign
Close Date:
01/30/2018
Description:
The University of Illinois Foundation is the official fundraising and private
gift-receiving organization of the University of Illinois System. The
University has earned a reputation as a world-class leader in research,
teaching, and public engagement. The Foundation works closely with alumni and
friends, faculty and staff, corporations and foundations, through campus
development professionals to facilitate and create fundraising programs and
opportunities that benefit the University.
The Foundation has two openings for Development Research Specialists in
the department of Research and Portfolio Management. They will provide
strategic prospect research, biographical report preparation, and data
enhancement in support of University of Illinois Foundation and the University
of Illinois development program. These positions will be located in Urbana,
IL.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Conducts biographical and financial research on principal gift, major gift and leadership annual giving-level prospects for the University of Illinois and prepare biographical reports in varying formats for use by the University of Illinois development community.
- Updates Blackbaud CRM with information for use by Foundation and University development staff. Emphasis is on finding wealth indicators and discovering family and business relationships between alumni/donors and corporate/foundation prospects. Utilizes in-house and University libraries, the Internet and on-line subscription databases.
- Analyzes and summarizes publicly-available information with responsibility for accurately stating factual information gathered from a number of readily available sources. Works closely with client to determine exact needs.
- Records information in appropriate fields in Blackbaud database. Identifies missing information and initiates internal and external contacts to clarify subjective information.
- Responds to routine requests for information and provides answers to problems and/or inquiries relating to donors and prospects. Requests may be from any of over 100 potential clients (development-related staff) in the University-wide system and within the Foundation and may range from the President of the Foundation to the unit level.
- Serves as liaison to university-wide or system-wide units as assigned to help build, prioritize, and optimize prospect portfolios. Also provides research support for the Principal Gifts Management Group by conducting research and maintaining news alerts on top-level donor prospects.
- Engages in various data quality improvement projects and activities, both within the department and on cross-departmental project teams.
- Participates in appropriate professional organizations and activities; reads professional literature to stay current with trends in the field; identifies and circulates new information sources; understands general fundraising principles; exhibits willingness to learn about Foundation and University programs.
- Completes special projects and other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- A Baccalaureate degree in an appropriate subject is required. A Master’s degree in Information Science or a related area is preferred.
- Familiarity with general information research techniques, methodology and online and subscription resources.
- Demonstrated knowledge or ability in development research; in particular, familiarity with financial reports, reference materials, and library resources is desirable.
- Experience with on-line searching and database maintenance and retrieval. Preference for SQL or advanced query knowledge.
- Ability to recognize the relevance of information and to deal with materials of a sensitive nature in a professional and confidential manner.
- Ability to organize data from a variety of sources, particularly those found in legal, financial, biographical, technical, and trade documents, and communicate that data effectively and clearly in writing.
- Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, and to formulate productive partnerships with individuals and groups of all levels of University staff, particularly development officers, faculty, and administration, is necessary.
- Ability to initiate and collaborate on projects.
- Basic office skills, ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
- Work under pressure and prioritize tasks.
Desired Qualifications:
- Prospect research experience and knowledge of academic fundraising are highly desirable.
- Experience with financial and/or statistical analysis and understanding of financial sectors and marketing trends is a plus.
Competitive benefit package and compensation commensurate with experience.
Comprehensive background check including, but not limited to, a criminal
conviction and credit check will be conducted.
Application Deadline Extended: January 30, 2018
Application Process: For full consideration, all candidates must complete
an online application and create a profile at https://jobs.uif.uillinois.edu
and upload a cover letter and résumé.
Applicant interviews may begin before the closing date; however, no hiring
decision will be made until after that date. For further information regarding
application procedures, contact Foundation Human Resources at
uifhrsearches@uif.uillinois.edu.