Company Description

Augsburg University has maintained a strong academic reputation defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies since 1869. A safe and welcoming campus in the heart of Minneapolis, Augsburg offers undergraduate and graduate degrees to nearly 3,200 diverse students.

Augsburg’s mission is to educate students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community that is committed to intentional diversity in its life and work. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, and shaped by its urban and global settings.

Augsburg invites individuals who share our mission and commitment to intentional diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging to join our community.  In particular, Augsburg invites BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities, women, veterans and those from underrepresented or marginalized backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

Job Description

Summary of Position

The Senior Research Program Manager is responsible for performing prospect development functions in support of major and principal gift fundraising along with Augsburg’s grants program. This position executes proactive and responsive research services as well as prospective funder management services for primary relationship managers in Institutional Advancement. 

The Senior Research Program Manager works in close partnership with assigned Major Gift Officers and Advancement Services to plan, partner, and execute donor-centric development strategies that facilitate philanthropy and provide strategic guidance to Major Gift Officers while focusing on the philanthropic priorities of the prospective donors. This individual works within specified Advancement processes to ensure the team meets objectives and maximizes donor philanthropy and Gift Officer time.

An ideal candidate is solution oriented infusing a sense of positivity, tenacity, and dedication. The Senior Research Program Manager may perform other related duties as assigned; the omission of specific tasks does not preclude the supervisor from assigning responsibilities that are logically related to the position. 

Primary Responsibilities

This role serves as a key strategic member of the Advancement Services team and works closely with members of the Institutional Leadership team. The person in this role provides proactive strategic direction to gift officers and oversees day-to-day operational activity with the goal of delivering the best possible donor experience. As process partners to the gift officers, provides regular coaching and feedback. This position is responsible for research development to sustain and grow the external funding supporting Augsburg University. That includes planning, implementing, and directing a comprehensive program to move prospects along the prospect pipeline and establishing and implementing a "moves management" system. Based on comprehensive research, this approach aims to drive mutually agreed upon engagement, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies for current and prospective donors.

Research

• Identify, evaluate, and recommend current and potential major gift prospects and assess their ability to financially support Augsburg University.
• Provide research and quantitative analysis of biographical, philanthropic, professional, and financial information on donors and prospective donors.
• Prepare profiles, rating memos, event bios and qualified lists to support the cultivation of prospects.
• Track prospective and current donors by monitoring daily news, online "alerts," and utilizing internal information and provide pertinent information to the appropriate Gift Officer.
• Identify donor's associates and acquaintances, update relationships in the database, and facilitate institutional involvement.
• Update report on gift officer metrics like opportunities / proposals added, calls made, visits attended. Contribute some of these metrics to be included in campaign reports and division dashboard reports.

Major Gift Officer Strategy

• Lead work in partnership with the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Associate Vice President of Institutional Advancement to organize and facilitate regular donor strategy meetings that track a moves management system.
• Be an organized and communicative collaborator with Gift Officers to strategically move all KPIs for prospect proposal pipeline metrics forward.
• Develop a moves management system and partner with colleagues for success.
• Identify prospective donors through proactive research and present findings at strategy meetings.
• Make recommendations on ask amounts on current and potential donors.

Acumen and Procedures

• Manage all aspects of research for gift portfolios, including creating and implementing pipeline procedures, coordinating proactive research, and making the research processes increasingly effective.
• Maintain or proof the data that represent the work of the gift officers including opportunities / proposals, actions, call reports, prospect status, top prospects, etc.
• Lead, in partnership with IA leadership, efforts to prepare volunteer leaders to cultivate, solicit and steward major and principal level gifts to Augsburg.
• Facilitate training and educational sessions as needed for colleagues; Communicate research techniques and procedures for consistency.
• Conduct regular wealth screenings, validate wealth screening data, and update donor records as needed.
• Maintain expertise in research techniques and resources.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Typical work environment is an office. Sedentary work for long periods of time. 
• Regular computer and phone use.
• Hybrid work schedule. There are on-site requirements for meetings and events. The schedule will include 1-2 regularly scheduled weekly in-office days.
• Ability to work efficiently in person and in a virtual environment with off-site colleagues.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in a research or development-related field.
• Previous development experience and/or a non-profit or educational institution background are preferred.
• Ability to interpret, analyze, and summarize complex biographical, business and financial data. Proficiency in Internet research is essential.
• Adhere to ethical and confidentiality guidelines of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA).
• Experience with information resources and publications is required, including fundraising databases (Raiser's Edge a plus), online services (Lexis-Nexis, Research Point), and database overlays (Raiser’s Edge NXT a plus).

Preferred Qualifications

• Will need to be comfortable working in Microsoft Excel using pivot tables and formulas.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Exceptional communication; writing and editing abilities.
• Strong research and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in locating and synthesizing material from multiple sources.
• High degree of organization and initiative with reliable time management and task completion skills.
• Ability to handle deadlines and changing priorities with good judgment.
• Needs a well-developed sense of curiosity, ingenuity, perseverance, and good judgment.
• Strong team player.
• Ability to communicate with all levels of the organization both in writing and verbally.

Additional Information

Benefits at Augsburg

Augsburg University offers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards program including: 

• Medical, dental and vision coverage

• A generous 403(b) matching program with an employer contributions of up to 8% upon eligibility

• Up to 100% tuition remission for employees, spouses and dependents, and participation in the Tuition Exchange program with colleges and universities throughout the US

• Generous paid time-off, including 14 paid holidays, 12 sick days, 2 community service days, and vacation of up to 22 days per year immediately upon hire

• Employer-paid STD, LTD and life insurance

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees

Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Statement

Augsburg is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, or any other protected class. 

Augsburg University is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national origin, familial status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or public assistance status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. 

If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete our application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at phone number: 612-330-1058 or email: hr@augsburg.edu.

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