Prospect Researcher

An exciting new opportunity has arisen for a Prospect Research Manager to join the Philanthropy arm of the LOROS Fundraising Team. As a key member of a 'small but mighty' team, you will influence and support relationship led giving, helping our partners and donors to realise their philanthropic ambitions. Supported by the Philanthropy Fundraising Manager, you will help LOROS to continue providing vital care and support to patients and their loved ones living with a terminal illness.

Main duties of the job

You will be able to demonstrate an understanding of how to implement strategic prospect research functions and have some knowledge of how to apply capacity ratings. Knowledge of local companies and funders who fund charities will also be an advantage. That said, being curious, self-motivated, possessing a willingness to take direction and use own initiative are critical qualities we seek for this role. A strategic thinker, with attention to detail are also key, as is being collaborative and professional in approach.

About us

LOROS Hospice is a local charity and every year we care for over 2,500 people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. We deliver free, high-quality, compassionate care and support to terminally ill patients, their family and carers.

Job responsibilities

The Prospect Research Manager will be instrumental in driving the growth and strategic development of the prospect pipeline to support LOROS Hospice's fundraising ambitions. By identifying, researching, and prioritising high potential supporters in close collaboration with the high-value fundraising teams (Major donors, Trusts & Grants & Corporate), this role will play a key part in increasing income and strengthening donor engagement.

• Refine and implement a strategic, proactive prospect research function that will produce and maintain a pool of prospective donors who have the capability of making significant contributions to LOROS's fundraising targets.
• Identify, evaluate, procure and review research sources (directories, commercial databases, due diligence and news sources) in order to ensure that the Department has the most appropriate resources.
• Identify potential donors to LOROS including companies and individuals, and conduct further research and analysis on potential and existing donors to LOROS.
• Facilitate the solicitation of major gifts by providing timely and accurate information about prospective donors for fundraising managers and the Senior Leadership Team and Board, involved in high-level face-to-face fundraising.
• Prepare briefing notes of appropriate detail on prospective and current donors and supporters attending LOROS events, detailing relevant information about guests background, their relationships with LOROS and opportunities for future engagement.
• Work alongside colleagues from across the organisation to recommend prospective guests (including prospective and current donors, corporate contacts, local stakeholders, representatives of charitable trusts) for LOROS events and activities.
• Provide fundraising management and the Senior Leadership Team with news and updates relating to current, and potential donors.
• Work closely with Philanthropy Fundraising Manager and Senior Leadership to design and deliver a comprehensive prospect development strategy that supports long-term fundraising objectives and aligns with organisational priorities.
• Review and refine prospect tracking on the CRM system to ensure that all contacts, approaches and other interactions with prospective and current donors are recorded on the database in order to allow fundraisers and their managers to review progress against activity and fundraising targets.
• Review and refine capacity ratings so that they correctly identify the giving potential of prospective major donors.
• Refine and monitor the rating system for corporate prospects, ensuring that information is updated consistently and accurately.
• Ensure that information from prospect meetings is captured, and recorded consistently on Raisers Edge in order to ensure the accuracy and currency of dashboards and KPI reports.

Person Specification

Motivation and personal attributes

• Able to contribute towards LOROS values and behaviours in particularly being professional and collaborative.
• Curious, Self-motivated, Confident, Enthusiastic Team Player, Approachable and empathic.
• Initiative Personable, Flexible.
• Commercial awareness and a results driven nature.
• Ability to meet deadlines and be able to comfortably deviate from a to-do list to meet any urgent needs.
• Driving license and use of car.

Knowledge

• Understanding of strategic prospect research functions, and how to implement them.
• Knowledge of how to use capacity ratings for donors and prospects and able to demonstrate ability to update consistently and accurately.
• Knowledge of the relevant areas of the Fundraising Regulator relating to Individual Giving, Events and Organisational Giving including Trusts and Grants.
• Member of local networking groups.
• An understanding of the laws relating to charities in particular GDPR, data protection.
• Knowledge of major donor fundraising and motivations to give (philanthropic giving).

Qualifications

• Educated to A Level standard or equivalent, and GCSE Grade C or above or equivalent in Maths and English.
• Member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising.

Experience

• Track record of completing high quality prospect research quickly and accurately.
• Experience of creating in-depth research reports particularly regarding prospect funders and donors.
• Experience of account management in a charity or commercial sector.
• Proven experience in prioritising and managing varied workload and time.
• Has previously worked in Hospice setting within Fundraising dept.
• Experience of using online research directory tool.
• Experience of understanding wealth screening resources, including identification and reporting.

Skills / Abilities

• Analytical and research skills.
• Ability to track and record relevant contact information on CRM.
• Ability to identify, evaluate, procure, and review research sources.
• Ability to communicate effectively, clearly both verbally and in writing and create detailed briefing notes.
• Understanding of prospect pipeline management.
• Strong organisational skills, with ability to manage multiple accounts, projects and deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively and confidently with senior internal stakeholders and partners.
• Numerate and able to efficiently understand and manage financial information and data.
• Ability to condense large quantities of information into a user friendly format.
• Strategic thinker with excellent attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office packages including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Excellent communicator - confident and competent to communicate clear and useful information to fundraisers.
• Ability to accurately and consistently record relevant information from donor prospect meetings.
• Understanding of Raisers Edge, or a similar CRM system including creation of queries and reports.
• Ability to develop attractive proposals and a case for support to secure long-term partnerships with multi-year commitments.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.