Manager, Prospect Research

POSITION SUMMARY

The Manager of Prospect Research & Stewardship role is primarily focused on corporate giving, with a dual emphasis on identifying new corporate funding opportunities and managing stewardship for existing corporate partners. In collaboration with the Philanthropic Partnerships team, the position will also contribute to prospect research and stewardship strategies for foundation donors. Reporting to the Director, Business Development & Corporate Partnerships, this position will play a critical role in expanding NCOA's corporate funding pipeline, advancing cross-team synergy, and ensuring the continued engagement of institutional donors to support our mission to improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are struggling.

Positions at this level typically report to a director and require advanced knowledge and experience. Incumbents are required to make independent judgements within their scope of work and require minimal oversight.  Incumbents generally have five or more years of experience in their discipline and a bachelor's degree or equivalent, as well as substantive experience at this level.  Graduate level degrees may be considered in lieu of experience.

COMPETENCIES AND EXPECTATIONS

• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs of different audiences; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives; organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; develops realistic action plans.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; works with integrity; upholds organizational values.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict; maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process; makes timely decisions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct in-depth research to identify and qualify new corporate funding prospects, including Fortune 500 companies, mid-sized businesses, and local enterprises.
• Analyze corporate giving programs, philanthropic priorities, and alignment with NCOA's mission to prioritize prospects for cultivation, while collaboratively supporting foundation prospecting and engagement as part of the Philanthropic Partnerships team.
• Monitor corporate trends, mergers, acquisitions, and leadership changes to identify timely opportunities for engagement, and coordinate with the Philanthropic Partnerships team to align foundation-related opportunities as appropriate.

• Design and implement a comprehensive stewardship program for corporate partners to deepen relationships and ensure long-term engagement, while integrating foundation stewardship activities as part of the Philanthropic Partnerships team's broader donor stewardship efforts.
• Develop customized stewardship plans for each corporate donor, including impact reports, recognition strategies, and tailored communications, with alignment to foundation stewardship approaches when applicable.
• Coordinate corporate donor recognition efforts, such as event sponsorships, cause-marketing campaigns, and public acknowledgments, in collaboration with the Marketing and Communications team; incorporate foundation recognition and visibility when coordinated with the Philanthropic Partnerships team.

• Prepare detailed corporate profiles, briefing materials, and proposals to support the Director, Business Development & Corporate Partnerships in securing corporate gifts and sponsorships, while collaborating with the Philanthropic Partnerships team to contribute to foundation prospect research and proposal development.
• Track and report on corporate stewardship activities and prospect research outcomes, alongside foundation-related stewardship and research coordinated with the Philanthropic Partnerships team, to inform cross-functional strategic decision-making.
• Support the development of corporate giving packages, including sponsorship tiers and cause-related marketing opportunities, ensuring alignment with broader philanthropic partnership strategies where applicable.  

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date Salesforce records for corporate prospects, donors, and stewardship activities, while integrating foundation prospect and donor data in collaboration with the Philanthropic Partnerships team.
• Analyze corporate donor data to identify trends and pipeline opportunities and collaborate with the Philanthropic Partnerships team to evaluate foundation-related insights that inform cross-sector strategies.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy and ethical standards in both corporate and foundation prospect research, stewardship, and donor management processes.  

• Partner with the Advancement Division and cross-functional teams to align corporate and foundation giving efforts with NCOA's mission and goals.
• Provide guidance and support to staff members on corporate and foundation prospect research and stewardship best practices.
• Represent NCOA at corporate meetings, networking events, and industry conferences as needed.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in business, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, or a related field preferred (or equivalent professional experience in lieu of a degree).
• Minimum 5 years in corporate prospect research, corporate giving, or stewardship management, ideally within a nonprofit environment. Demonstrated expertise in these areas may substitute for formal education requirements.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret corporate data and identify actionable insights.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling proposals and stewardship materials.
• Proficiency in CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser's Edge) and data analysis tools.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Passion for NCOA's mission and commitment to equity.

• Experience working with corporate and foundation grant makers, including cause-marketing campaigns, corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs, or philanthropic partnership strategies.
• Knowledge of aging-related issues or experience in the health, human services, or nonprofit sectors with exposure to institutional funders.
• Certification in prospect research (e.g., APRA's PRC), fundraising (e.g., CFRE), or related fields is a plus.  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Occasionally required to sit. 
• Occasionally required to walk. 
• Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. 
• Occasionally required to talk or hear. 
• Occasionally required to bend, lift, or climb stairs.
• Occasionally required to lift light weights (less than 25 pounds). 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

I hereby acknowledge that I have received, read, and understand the job description and job duty expectations.