Innovation has been a hallmark of Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) since it was founded as Michigan's first community college 60 years ago. NMC is a publicly funded community college that serves people, organizations and businesses throughout the Grand Traverse region.
We serve more than 50,000 learners annually. Northwestern Michigan College gives hard-working, eager learners - employees as well as students - a place to develop their potential and improve their quality of life. NMC is committed to hiring individuals who value higher education and its impact within its walls as well as throughout the community at large.
If you believe you're a good fit for Northwestern Michigan College, we would like to hear from you.
Northwestern Michigan College
Job Description
Job Title: Database and Prospect Research Specialist
Position Number:
Incumbent: Vacant
Classification: Executive Assistant, Technical/Paraprofessional Level 2
Department: Resource Development
Reports to: Executive Director for Resource Development
FLSA Status: Exempt
Prepared By: Rebecca Teahen
Prepared Date: 8/24/2011
Approved By: Aaron Beach, Director of Human Resources
Approved Date: 9/8/2011
SUMMARY
The Northwestern Michigan College office of Resource Development and the NMC Foundation enjoy a strong track record of fundraising success and broad community support. However, as the environment in which we operate changes, it is critical that we maintain a strong command of the technology available to support fund development efforts.
The Database and Prospect Research Specialist is responsible for developing an overall strategy for managing the database and technology employed to ensure the integrity, quality, and relevance of the College’s donor & constituent database. This includes collection and maintenance of data, development and implementation of strategies for database maintenance and management, design, development, and regular production of reports that track performance measures for various program areas, and responsibilities for data coding and entry, data file uploads and transfers, and report generation.
The Specialist will be a key player in the office of Resource Development to oversee wealth assessment research for the donor database and to conduct prospect research in order to help identify top prospective donors and provide a “pipeline” of information to fundraising staff. The individual must ensure that information is kept current, relevant, and secure while and deploying appropriate technologies to support the teams fundraising and donor stewardship efforts.
The prospect research and data reporting will support development of individual fundraising strategies, mass mailing lists, stewardship reports, etc as part of fundraising initiatives for major campaigns, alumni relations, scholarship funds, NMC’s Annual Campaign, the annual campaign for the Dennos Museum Center, and more. Personal integrity, sound judgment and the highest ethical standards in working with sensitive information is imperative. The ideal candidate will have excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to meet deadlines. Also possess the ability to work as part of a team, and to communicate effectively with colleagues and constituents of varying backgrounds.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES and/or REGISTRATIONS
Required
• Minimum two years post-secondary coursework in business or related area
• Three to five years database management or market research experience
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Access, Excel, and Word, including experience with report generation, database management, mail merges, and chart generation.
• At least 1-2 years of data manipulation/analytical support experience.
• Clear understanding of sound research methodology, Association of Fundraising Professional code of ethics, and basic principles of donor prospect research.
• Ability to convert data and statistics to graphics
Preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• Nonprofit/fundraising experience
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge donor database
• Education or experience in research methods and statistical analysis
• Aptitude for math and information technology
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITES
Possible oversight of part-time student worker or other data entry staff as needed.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
• Works with the Director of the Resource Development Department Staff, the Office of Research, Planning, and Effectiveness and other internal or external sources to acquire data to update the Raiser’s Edge donor database and to produce reports that support fundraising initiatives.
• Generates data collection correspondence with internal and external individuals/ organizations; searches external data sources for supplementary giving data.
• Develop and implement strategies for managing data to maintain integrity, keep information current and relevant, and to deploy appropriate technologies to support fundraising work.
• Participates in ongoing program evaluation efforts through report design and production, data entry, instrument design, and occasional analysis and synthesis of findings.
• Performs custom analyses of giving data in response to fundraising initiatives, using database querying and data reporting/presentation techniques. Provides technical assistance/analytical support to fundraising staff.
• Evaluates and makes recommendations on new Database Management Systems for use by the Resource Development Department.
• Generates mass emails required by the Resource Development Department for e-solicitations and communications of department events, updates, and other communications.
• Performs basic maintenance of the NMC foundation website using the established content management system escalating more advanced website maintenance tasks to NMC’s website administrator.
• Serves as lead staff person for database management for NMC Resource Development office and NMC Foundation.
• Serves as primary prospect researcher to inform fundraising strategies based on internal and external information sources regarding individual donors and prospective donors. Researches and manages wealth screening initiatives and data transfers as appropriate.
• Maintains required job skills and core professional competencies. Attends and participates in educational programs and staff meetings to ensure professional development.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Performance Measures:
• Data profiles are updated with accuracy and consistency/in adherence to a regular update schedule.
• Initiative is taken in acquiring and integrating missing or supplementary profile data. Donor recognition information is kept up to date.
• Data is protected
• Gift officers have sufficient Major, Planned, and Annual gift prospects for generation of new funding sources.
• AFP Code of Ethics is followed
• Inquiries are responded to with timely, accurate and relevant information.
• Donors and colleagues are greeted and served in a welcoming and helpful manner.
QUALITIFCATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
COMPUTER SKILLS
To perform this job successfully, an individual will have computer skills, including knowledge of and the ability to use the Internet, email, calendaring software and word processing software.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.