Senior Prospect Researcher
Position Location: Remote (Within the United States)
About JFF
Jobs for the Future (JFF) drives transformation of the U.S. education and workforce systems to achieve equitable economic advancement for all. Seeing that millions of people are unfairly shut out of quality jobs and the chance for a better life, our goal is to align education, workforce, and employment changemakers toward a shared North Star: In 10 years, 75 million people facing systemic barrers to advancement will work in quality jobs.
To achieve that goal, we design solutions, scale best practices, influence policy and action, and invest in innovation. With a staff of more than 300 people across the country working remotely and in offices in Boston (headquarters), Washington, DC, and Oakland, California, we operate at the national, state, and local levels, forging deep partnerships with employers, investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and education and workforce development providers to break down barriers and reimagine what’s possible.
We’re on a path of ongoing growth and expanding impact. We have an operating budget of $105 million, and we’re funded by dozens of leading government agencies, foundations, and corporations. Learn more about JFF and join us as we build a future that works—for everyone.
DEIBW at JFF
Diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and well-being (DEIBW) are core to JFF’s North Star and mission. We employ and build diverse teams across race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity and expression, age, and lived experiences and are constantly working toward ensuring these differences are celebrated and included. We aim to cultivate a culture that centers the overall care, well-being, and success of the employee through flexible work hours, balanced workloads, professional development, and equitable career advancement opportunities. Learn more about what DEIBW looks like in practice at JFF.
We seek to invest in and learn from those who represent the communities we serve, particularly individuals from populations who have been explicitly or implicitly excluded from the workforce. Knowing its importance to the success of our work and the engagement of our staff members, we aspire to attract and retain a diverse team and welcome people of all backgrounds to apply to our open roles. JFF is a fair chance employer and in alignment to our North Star, we strongly encourage individuals whose highest level of education attained is less than a 4-year degree; People of Color; and people with records to apply.
About the Position
JFF has experienced a period of unprecedented growth in revenue, programming, and funding pursuit over the last 3-4 years. As such, the Development Team is expanding, both in number and function, not only to align with this growth, but also to meet significant needs for more flexible resources to support organizational capacity and innovation. Changes are underway in JFF’s fundraising strategy and processes to ensure a strong and diversified resource base for the organization. The team has launched an enterprise-wide fundraising approach and will be driving an organization-wide culture of philanthropy, supported by best practices. Key to this approach will be the introduction of strategic prospect management practices.
This Senior Prospect Researcher presents an exciting opportunity for a creative, highly organized individual to engage with colleagues across JFF to conduct prospect research for our growing, national nonprofit organization. Reporting to the Director, Prospect Management, 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 Business Units (program teams). The prospect management team is a new team at JFF therefore the Senior Prospect Researcher will have the opportunity to help 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
Support and manage the prospect research pipeline to drive the implementation of new fundraising approaches
- 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
Lead effective partnership between JFF and potential 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
Develop effective project management strategies that inform continuous improvement
- 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, Executive Team members and other colleagues across JFF
- 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
The qualifications listed within the job description are intended as a guide and we do not expect candidates to bring all experiences and skills listed. Research supports that self-selecting out of potential professional opportunities is particularly common among individuals with identities that are marginalized in professional spaces. So, if you believe that you can meet the overall expectations of the position, we encourage you to apply so that we have an opportunity to learn more about you and the unique strengths you would bring to the work.
- You have previously supported and managed prospect research at increasing levels of independence and responsibility, across a variety of funding streams which include high-net worth individuals, corporations, foundations, etc. (New hires at the Senior Manager level at JFF typically bring 5-10 years of prior professional experience through a combination of full-time, part-time, internship, and/or freelance positions)
- 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 (JFF uses iWave, DAFinitive, Foundation Directory)
- 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 possess high energy and passion for JFF’s mission and North Star, and the ability to apply JFF’s core values to all areas of your work
- You are energized by stewarding JFF’s DEIBW values and practices within your day-to-day work, including embracing the differences and celebrating the diversity that each individual brings to JFF
- You value building positive and collaborative relationships with others, including people whose identities and backgrounds differ from your own
What We Offer
At JFF, we’re fueled by the desire to create a world where everyone has equal opportunity for economic advancement. Our team works hard to push the boundaries of what is possible, and in return, we provide a gratifying work experience, competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits program that includes flexibility and choice as core values in order to support people wherever they are in their lives and careers.
JFF has offices in Boston, Oakland, and Washington, DC; employees are welcome to use JFF office space to work in-person or hybrid, or completely remote. To improve the employee experience and promote productivity while working remotely, JFF offers an annual home office stipend to all regular full-time and part-time employees. In addition, new employees receive office equipment as needed.
The hiring range for this role is $80,000 - $100,000 annually, in alignment to JFF’s Senior Manager salary band and our compensation philosophy. Starting salaries for new hires will be determined based on a combination of the new hire’s relevant experience and market demands.
To Apply
We are accepting applications through May 9th,2024 by 5pm EST. Applications submitted by that date will be reviewed and candidates will receive updates on their candidacy by the week of May 13th,2024.
At JFF, we’re also committed to accessibility and want to ensure that everyone, including people with disabilities, can fully access and engage with our application and hiring process. If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability and/or have specific access/accommodation needs in order to fully participate in our hiring process, please contact us at hiringaccommodations@jff.org.
Positions at JFF are not eligible for employer-visa sponsorship or open to F-1 student visa holders.
