POSITION OVERVIEW:
The successful Prospect Research Manager partners closely with WETA's fundraising teams (WETA Major Giving, PBS News, Foundations and Government Development, National Productions, Corporate Marketing, and Membership) to provide strategic direction on current and prospective donors with major/principal gift capacity. The Manager will support the gift officers and department leaders by taking a leadership role in WETA’s prospect research strategy and analytics.
The successful Prospect Research Manager will be deadline driven, able to multitask, work independently in a fast-paced environment and create relationships at all levels in the organization. This person is a key member of the Data Strategy & Development Services team, reporting directly into the head of this team.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Prospect Research: Conduct comprehensive research to identify individuals, corporations, and foundations with the capacity and inclination to make major gifts to the organization. Utilize various resources including internal and external databases, wealth screening tools, and publicly available information to gather prospect data. On a regular basis, identify and conduct baseline research on prospects for the respective fundraising teams and provide research briefs as requested by Gift Officers and Senior WETA Leadership.
- Collaboration: Work closely with the revenue teams, to align prospect research efforts with fundraising goals and priorities. Provide support to fundraising staff in prospect identification and cultivation strategies. Assist with meetings and events preparation including providing detailed prospect profiles and briefing books to Gift Officers and Senior WETA/NHP Leadership.
- Prospect Tracking and Reporting: Support Gift Officers in tracking donor interactions, solicitations, and outcomes to measure portfolio progress. As requested, prepare reports and updates for internal stakeholders and leadership.
- Database Management: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of prospect information in the organization's donor database. Provide ongoing training on ROI Revolution CRM database’s High Touch Module. Ensure data integrity, track prospect interactions, and generate reports to inform fundraising strategies and decision-making. Manage DonorSearch and Wealth Engine Data and update records accordingly.
- Vendor Management: Serve as primary contact and relationship manager for third party prospect research platforms.
- Professional Development: Stay informed about trends and best practices in prospect research, fundraising, and philanthropy. Attend conferences, workshops, and training sessions to enhance skills and knowledge in donor prospecting and relationship management.
ADDITIONAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
- Knowledge of fundraising database technology and ability to apply it for fundraising marketing support.
- 3-5 years’ relevant experience in prospect research, administrative fundraising, or non-profit capacity building.
- Experience with prospect research platforms such as Wealth Engine, RelSci, Altrata, Lexis Nexis, and DonorSearch. Experience with ROI Revolution CRM is a plus.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial data and wealth indicators.
- Strong interpersonal and project management skills with ability to develop positive relationships quickly and work in a team atmosphere with in-person and remote colleagues.
- Ability to respond flexibly and resourcefully to workload fluctuations, demonstrating initiative and problem-solving skills.
- Detail-oriented, organized and able to handle multiple projects at one time.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and demonstrate motivational skills, professional maturity, and maintain confidentiality of information.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office suite of products.
- Experience in Public Media or similar organizations preferred.
EDUCATION:
- Bachelor’s degree. Or equivalent combination of education and experience.
LOCATION:
WETA and NewsHour Productions are Washington, DC established media and news organizations. We are a largely local workforce based out of the Campbell Place office in Arlington, VA. WETA and NewsHour Productions value employee flexibility when possible. Most positions based in our Arlington, VA office will be onsite or hybrid, depending upon the role.
COMPANY OVERVIEW:
WETA, the flagship public media station in the nation’s capital, produces and distributes content that informs, inspires, and enriches lives.
As the second-largest producing station for the public media system, WETA creates programming to explore history, arts, and culture, partnering with acclaimed filmmakers such as Ken Burns and Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. National WETA productions include The American Revolution and Finding Your Roots, among many others. WETA is also home to PBS News, the primary daily, breaking, and special news producer for PBS. Its broadcast productions include PBS News Hour, Washington Week with The Atlantic, Horizons from PBS News, and Compass Points from PBS News, as well as specials, documentaries, and a robust footprint across digital platforms.
Locally, WETA serves audiences across Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland, through television, radio, and digital platforms. Audiences access WETA on broadcast channels WETA PBS, WETA UK, WETA Metro, WETA World, and WETA PBS Kids, and digitally through the free streaming platform WETA+. Listeners tune into WETA Classical, the exclusive home for classical music in the Greater Washington area, via radio, online, and the WETA Classical app. Benefits | WETA
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:
WETA and NewsHour Productions are equal opportunity employers committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and internships. WETA and NewsHour Productions make hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.
