Prospect Engagement Strategist

Department: University Advancement
Classification: Research Analyst 4
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing
Salary: $30.45 - $46.70 per hour
FTE: 1.0

Review of Applications Begins

July 22, 2024; position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please include a cover letter describing your experience conducting research in a fundraising, sales, or marketing setting, demonstrating an understanding of strategies to identify individuals and characteristics or attributes that might suggest motivation to give to an institution of higher ed.

Department Summary

University Advancement (UA) supports the University of Oregon’s (UO) mission of providing exceptional teaching, discovery, and service by strategically positioning the university to create awareness, build long-term relationships, and secure resources that increase understanding and further its aims. The division consists of approximately 150 employees primarily working out of Eugene and Portland. We are committed to fostering equity and inclusion in a welcoming, safe, and respectful environment that recognizes the value of all members of our community.

The Advancement Strategies and Technology Innovation (ASTI) department is focused on finding the solutions for foundational issues that will best position UO Advancement to achieve its goals around engagement and fundraising.

Prospect Development is responsible for the implementation of the prospect management system and for the identification of prospects, strategic prospect review, and providing intelligence to aid development officers in fundraising to their highest capacity. This department's work is critical to the future success of fundraising at the University of Oregon and the Development initiative to identify the next generation of philanthropic leaders. Prospect Development collaborates with each development team and the department as a whole to promote a systematic and quantifiable framework through which development staff manage relationships and analyze and identify prospects and related strategies.

Position Summary

The Prospect Engagement Strategist identifies opportunities and strategies to elevate alumni and constituent engagement and identify potential donors to the university. Using a variety of empirical methods, the Analyst collects qualitative and quantitative data to better understand university alumni, parents, and friends and determine the best strategy to provide additional opportunities for engagement.

The Prospect Engagement Strategist collaborates closely with Donor Relations and Outreach, the University of Oregon Alumni Association (UOAA), and the Office of Development to identify potential invitees to University of Oregon (UO) events audiences for targeted communications, potential opportunities for donor, volunteer, or other types of engagement, and determines strategies for follow-up.

Reporting to the Director, Prospect Development, this position works closely with colleagues in Prospect Development and ASTI to make recommendations to frontline fundraisers and field-oriented staff regarding prospective donors’ ability to give and potential programmatic or initiative-based philanthropic interests.

To be successful, the Prospect Engagement Strategist will be able to ensure data integrity and treat donor information with the highest level of ethical standards. This position requires strong attention to detail as well as excellent analytical, problem-solving, project management, and organizational skills.

This position will be located in Eugene or Portland. It is eligible to work a mostly remote schedule and will need to work on the Eugene and Portland campus locations approximately 2-4 days per month.

Minimum Requirements

• Three years of research experience applying research methods, procedures, and techniques in the fundraising research, sales, or marketing field; applying statistical and forecasting principles and procedures; planning and designing research projects;
writing technical research reports and/or documents, and using statistical computer software packages; OR
• An equivalent combination of training and experience.

Professional Competencies

• Strong organizational and time management skills with continuous attention to accuracy and detail.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including writing and presentation abilities.
• Ability to manage stressful situations with tact and diplomacy, handle sensitive and/or confidential information, and work effectively with senior leadership, administrators, and other internal and external audiences.
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to interpret and analyze data into actionable information for others.
• Ability to manage projects within a complex organization while maintaining attention to detail and accountability, adhering to firm schedules, and solving problems as they arise.
• Strong technical and software skills, including the ability to work extensively with Microsoft Office programs, Excel, and Word.
• Ability to determine the quality, reliability, and accuracy of primary, secondary, and tertiary sources; ability to verify information using more than one reputable source; and the ability to communicate the reliability of information as it applies to fundraisers and leadership.
• Ability to synthesize material from multiple sources in a coherent and accurate matter, and source content appropriately.
• Ability and willingness to work in an environment of frequent interruptions and competing priorities.
• Demonstrated intellectual curiosity and a desire to engage in research for practical fundraising purposes.
• Ability to interact, communicate, and work effectively with individuals, recognizing and respecting the many and varied identities of each person.
• Ability to mentor and train others, and a willingness to share skills and techniques with peers and colleagues.
• Commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• An understanding of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA) Body of Knowledge Domains and associated competencies.
• Experience using a fundraising specific database, such as Ellucian Advance, Salesforce Affinaquest, or similar.
• Development services experience, preferably for an institution of higher education.

FLSA Exempt: No

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

This is a classified position represented by the SEIU Local 503, Oregon Public Employees Union.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit https://hr.uoregon.edu/about-benefits.

The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship, service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed here.

In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report.