Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

Development and External Affairs (DEA) supports SMU by securing funding for University priorities; by promoting meaningful involvement in the life and work of the University; by heightening international, national, state and local awareness of SMU; and by supporting the enrollment of a diverse and able student body.

DEA comprises the offices of Office of the Vice President, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, Development Services, Program Services and Donor Relations, Marketing and Communications, Principal and Major Gifts, and School and Project Development.

SMU continues to leverage the benefits from the largest fund-raising campaign in its history to achieve dramatic increases in academic quality and impact.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Advancement Researcher provides comprehensive research to internal clients to advance major gift fundraising and meet the University’s development goals. The consultant will identify and evaluate major gift prospects; implement prospect identification and prioritization strategies; and provide actionable analysis of development activity. These activities impact DEA's development goals which impact funding university-wide.

Essential Functions:

• Implement prospect identification strategies as needed to ensure that prospect pipelines are in place to meet the University's fundraising goals. Partner with clients to provide comprehensive research services and conduct research on prospects proactively and per client request

• Collaborate and consult with internal clients (2+) regarding prospect identification efforts and initiative-specific strategy

• Liaise with Constituent Records Colleagues to maintain and enhance data quality and integrity in the constituent relationship management system (BBEC)

• Stay abreast of and work to apply trends in prospect research. Participate in professional development opportunities, training, webinars, workshops, and regional conference

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree is required.

A minimum of three years of work experience is required.

Experience in development, fundraising or a related fields is also required.

Experience in prospect and/or donor research in the non-profit fundraising field is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to build relationships with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community. Must also demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in writing to clearly convey critical information. A strong customer service orientation is essential.

Candidate must demonstrate strong time management, organizational and planning skills. Must be able to work independently on requests, manage workflow, and meet multiple deadlines, as well as collaborate on work with other team members. A strong focus on attention to detail is essential.

Candidate must demonstrate the knowledge and the ability to analyze and synthesize significant quantities of information and communicate the most critical and actionable data.

Candidate must possess strong project management skills, including the ability to define goal/objective of the initiative and the means to achieve the goal. A strong commitment to confidentiality and professionalism is required, as the person in this role will be called on to handle confidential information with discretion.

Candidate must have a strong working knowledge or acquire a strong working knowledge within one year, in certain skills outlined in the Apra Body of Knowledge. Knowledge about and/or the ability to understand and articulate ethics as defined by industry standards of prospect development is essential.

Candidate must possess a strong working knowledge of MS Office and Microsoft Excel. Must also possess a strong knowledge of advanced search techniques and Internet search engines. Experience with and/or knowledge of a relational database and/or constituent relationship management software is highly desirable, preferably Blackbaud Enterprise CRM.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

The position is open until filled.

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by May 24, 2023.

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.