Senior Prospect Researcher (Apply by: June 29, 2022)

Senior Prospect Researcher 

Position Location: Flexible (Boston, DC, Oakland, or Remote)  

Apply by: June 29, 2022 

About JFF:  

Jobs for the Future (JFF) is a leading national nonprofit that drives transformation of the American workforce and education systems to achieve equitable economic advancement for all.  

About the position:  

The Development Team works across all units to support strategic fundraising at JFF. We seek out new funding opportunities and support existing relationships between JFF and regional, national, and government funders. The Development Team assists with prospective funder research, identifying and assessing funding opportunities and RFPs. We also focus on project research and development, concept papers, proposal writing and submissions.   

This new position presents an exciting opportunity for a creative, highly organized individual to engage with colleagues across JFF to manage prospect research for our growing, national nonprofit organization. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development Strategy & Operations, the Senior Prospect Researcher serves as a critical strategic partner and point of coordination for prospect research and management, collaborating with colleagues in the Development Team as well as program and executive leaders. As a new role at JFF, the Senior Prospect Researcher will have the chance to build a body of prospect research for our new high-net worth individual giving program, expand and deepen research on corporations and foundations, and identify new types of funding entities and opportunities to support JFF’s mission and goals.  

What you'll do:   

Strategic and Analytical Thinking 

• Drive the systematic and proactive identification, determination, analysis, and maintenance of relevant information on potential prospects including individuals, corporations, foundations and government agencies  Analyze, interpret, synthesize and present biographical, professional, and financial information needed to facilitate the solicitation of constituents capable of making significant investments in JFF’s mission 

• Contribute to the development of new fundraising strategies for high-net-worth individuals, family offices and wealth managers, giving circles and funder collaboratives, private equity, tech networks, and more  

Relationship Building and Management  

• Engage with program leaders to understand their work, goals, and impact in order to support strategies for identifying new funders   Actively participate in prospect strategy meetings to ensure the effective use of prospect research information  Stay abreast of JFF’s portfolio of programs/units to be able to proactively identify and assess prospects for new bodies of work 

Project Management  

• Utilize a variety of research techniques and resources to prepare background reports, profiles, and other information  Present appropriate materials in response to requests for information, including in-depth prospect profiles, summary information to support major solicitation and/or stewardship events   Prepare briefings for the CEO and other Executive Team members  Organize and maintain prospect records and files, including continuous maintenance of accurate databases  Develop and maintain processes and criteria for mechanisms for managing research requests 

• Collaborate closely with members of the Development Team and manage their contributions to prospect research  

Who you are:   

• You possess high energy and passion for JFF’s mission and the ability to apply JFF’s core values to all areas of your work  You have at least 5 years of experience where you have supported and managed prospect research at increasing levels of independence and responsibility and across a variety of funding streams (high-net worth individuals, corporations, foundations, etc.)  You are a subject matter expert in a wide array of prospect research tools and databases, financial analysis for wealth assessment, products related to overall research analysis, and report writing systems  You have previously contributed to an organization’s fundraising strategy by making connections between the organization’s mission, programs, and results and potential funding opportunities   You have a track record of success with using prospect research to expand and diversify funding sources and you enjoy the challenge of surfacing and researching new leads  

• You are organized and efficient, able to produce information at appropriate levels of detail and accuracy under sometimes tight deadlines  You can communicate ideas clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, to a variety of internal and external audiences  You operate with a customer service orientation and have previously partnered with other development colleagues, Executive Team members, and senior leaders in support of fundraising strategies  You maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information and uphold the Donor Bill of Rights and other ethical standards in your work  You bring prior experience entering and analyzing prospect information into CRMs (JFF uses Salesforce), but also have comfort learning new tools quickly and an eye for bringing process and system improvements to your work 

• You model inclusive leadership, working effectively with colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds, and building and stewarding an organizational culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion  You build positive, effective, collaborative cultures and teams wherever you work  You are a curious and adaptive learner, with a willingness to take in new information, perspectives and data to inform your work  

• You demonstrate a growth mindset with the ability to create and maintain standards of high performance and accountability, and foster innovation, continuous learning, and improvement 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at JFF:  

JFF is committed to sustaining a diverse community with a work environment that is welcoming, respectful, and encouraging to all. JFF fosters a culture of inclusion that celebrates and cultivates diversity along multiple dimensions, including race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, culture, and experience. As part of our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, JFF strongly encourages people impacted by the criminal legal system to apply.  

To apply:  

We are accepting applications through June 29th, 2022. Applications submitted by that date will be reviewed and candidates will receive updates on their candidacy by the week of July 4th, 2022. 

Positions at JFF are not eligible for employer-visa sponsorship or open to F-1 student visa holders.  

All JFF employees are required to be fully up to date on their vaccinations against COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption has been requested and a reasonable accommodation approved.   

JFF offers a competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience and skills.