Associate Director

Description:

The Associate Director, Prospect Research & Management, sits within External Relations’ Business Operations & Analytics team, and leads the Prospect Research & Management team, playing a senior leadership role in supporting the IRC’s funding sustainability. Reporting directly to the Vice President, Business Operations & Analytics, the Associate Director shapes team-level strategies, translates organizational goals into actionable research plans, and is a valued, proactive contributor to the development of high-value fundraising strategies. They lead high-value research initiatives, ensure integration with fundraising strategy across multiple operational areas, and drive continuous improvement across the team. The right candidate will build and lead strategic relationships with fundraising leadership, ensuring that PRM outputs directly inform organizational decision-making, and ultimately increase philanthropic support for our clients.

Responsibility For Resources:

The Associate Director provides line management to the PRM team, shapes team culture, and promotes inclusive practices. They also manage the PRM team budget (personnel and non-personnel).

Key Working Relationships

Reports into the Vice-President, Business Operations & Analytics

4 direct reports
Critical stakeholders: Leadership teams of Philanthropy, Global Corporate Partnerships and Foundations & Trusts 
Key partners: Global Analytics, Strategic Finance, Strategy & Planning, Business Systems Optimizations

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Partner with the VP, Business Operations & Analytics and senior fundraising leadership to co-develop and deliver PRM's annual and long-term strategy, translating organizational fundraising priorities into team-level goals and ensuring PRM is positioned as a proactive strategic contributor to IRC high-value fundraising growth.

Lead high-value research initiatives, overseeing the production of confidential biographical, financial, and due diligence profiles on HNWI donors and prospects across relevant markets, ensuring consistent quality and integration with fundraising strategy;
Translate strategic goals into actionable research plans, leading pipeline development across multiple fundraising pillars and ensuring alignment with high-value fundraising strategies at an organizational level;
Build and manage strategic relationships with fundraising leadership, serving as a valued and proactive contributor to high-value fundraising strategy, and ensuring PRM outputs are directly informing donor cultivation and stewardship decisions; 
Shape and develop team strategy and metrics, driving cross-functional problem-solving efforts and ensuring data-driven research is fully integrated into organizational priorities and decision-making;
Drive innovation in research methodology and tool use across the team, taking the lead on the development and procurement of new tools to meet strategic needs, and mentoring colleagues in technical development;
Oversee the management and strategic development of the team’s suite of resources (e.g. CRM, subscription databases, media tools), ensuring alignment with team priorities and leading on continuous improvement across multiple PRM operational areas;
Lead cross-functional research initiatives and special projects (e.g. vendor screenings, data mining, strategic reports), applying advanced problem-solving skills and ensuring outputs directly support organizational decision-making at a leadership level;
Ensure clear communication and strategic alignment between PRM and key internal partners (Philanthropy account managers, Program Services team and other Biz-Ops stakeholders), proactively leading team discussions and driving consistent, high-quality service to IRC’s high-value fundraising teams;
Provide line management to colleagues, actively including and mentoring team members, shaping team culture, and promoting inclusive practices across the PRM team.

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

Essential 

Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree strongly preferred
Expert research and database management skills (Salesforce)**
Ability to lead cross-functional problem-solving efforts, driving continuous improvement in research methodology and prospecting approaches, and ensuring team priorities are aligned with organizational goals;**
Ability to analyze, interpret, and synthesize complex data into strategic insights that supports high-level organizational decision-making and fundraising strategy;**
Proficiency across PRM subscription tools, internet research, fundraising software, and data retrieval services (e.g. LexisNexis, iWave, Foundation Directory, etc.)
Demonstrated ability to lead on protocol development and drive advanced technical knowledge across multiple PRM operational areas;
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to drive strategic messaging, ensure clear communication across teams and departments, and align PRM outputs with organizational priorities at a leadership level.