Jobs at The Morton Arboretum (Now Hiring) — 3 open

Join our team in a highly strategic role where data transforms into donor discovery and fuels our mission's growth. As a key leader within our Development Operations team, you will design and champion a comprehensive prospect management and analytics program—leveraging wealth screenings, predictive modeling, and cutting-edge AI tools to uncover untapped philanthropic potential. Working closely with frontline fundraisers and leadership, you will serve as a vital partner, optimizing portfolios, shaping data-driven prospect strategies, and guiding a dedicated team to success. If you are an analytical, naturally curious professional with a passion for research and a knack for turning complex data into actionable fundraising insights, we invite you to apply for this unique opportunity.

Location: Hybrid (The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL)

Position Summary:

Manage the prospect development and portfolio management processes within the Development department. Responsible for creating and implementing a comprehensive analytics function in support of prospect identification and management. Serve as a strategic member of the Development Operations team, working directly with frontline fundraising staff to provide prospect identification and research support, manage portfolios, track prospect activity, and collaborate around prospect strategies. Funding for this position is temporary and is expected to run through the end of 2030, with the possibility of extension.

Essential Functions:

• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of a comprehensive prospect management program that supports the identification, qualification, assignment, movement, and tracking of institutional, major, and principal gift prospects.

• In collaboration with the Director of Development Operations, lead the development and application of prospect scoring models, predictive analytics, and donor segmentation strategies to strengthen prospect identification, portfolio optimization, and fundraising outcomes.

• Serve as a strategic partner to frontline fundraisers and leadership, providing prospect insights, portfolio recommendations, and data-driven guidance to maximize fundraising performance.

• Develop and manage a proactive prospect pipeline, identifying mid-major, major, and principal gift prospects utilizing research, wealth screening, predictive analytics, and qualification methodologies to identify and prioritize high-potential prospects.

• Direct portfolio management efforts across the development team, establishing standards, policies, and performance metrics to ensure balanced portfolios, clear accountability, and effective prospect moves movement.

• Collaborate with membership and individual giving teams to identify donors with characteristics indicative of greater philanthropic capacity and inclination, informing targeted engagement strategies, giving society growth, and major gift pipeline development.

• Use quantitative analyses that leverage AI tools and wealth-screening assets to estimate prospects' philanthropic capacity. Document and communicate biographical, philanthropic, professional, and financial information about donors and prospects as necessary.

• In partnership with the Director of Development Operations, design and manage a comprehensive portfolio review and prospect strategy process, including meeting structures, reporting frameworks, key performance indicators, and accountability measures.

• Oversee tracking and reporting of prospect-related information from research, ratings, segmentation, and other related activities.

• Establish and maintain best practices, policies, and procedures related to prospect management, research, analytics, and CRM data integrity, ensuring consistent adoption across the development team.

• Provide support for and attend Arboretum events, and proactively participate in professional development opportunities.

• Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum’s employee core values.

• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Serve in a supervisory capacity of one employee, providing leadership guidance and communicating the organization's goals. This includes:

• Hiring, training, coaching, and developing team members by providing recognition and feedback, and evaluating performance

• Ensuring that team members adhere to the Arboretum’s policies and procedures, and maintaining a safe and compliant work environment

• Building and maintaining positive working relationships with team members, colleagues, and other stakeholders to foster a collaborative and supportive work environment

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree required. 5+ years of prospect research and analytics experience and database experience in a nonprofit environment required. Strong verbal and written communication skills required. High degree of technical skills with proficiency and understanding of data mining, use of AI tools, and statistical analysis techniques and software. Analytical skills with the ability to synthesize a high volume of information from a variety of sources are required, as is serious experience with CRM systems (Salesforce, ideally). Proven ability to partner with, coach, and influence gift officers, using data-driven insights to advance prospect strategy and fundraising outcomes. Experience using visualization tools such as Tableau or similar software is highly desirable. Proficiency with Google applications and Microsoft Office is beneficial.

Success Factors:

Energized by working with large amounts of data, have a natural curiosity and a love of research, are excited by the idea of exposure to a varied array of assignments, and are enthusiastic about acquiring a skill set that will contribute to their professional growth within the organization. Strong analytical acumen to retrieve, analyze, and interpret financial information and manage data. Knowledge of a broad range of research techniques, web-based research, as well as database operation and usage. Strong organizational skills with the proven ability to adapt to shifting priorities and manage multiple projects in a deadline-driven environment. Ability to translate analysis into an accessible format. Ability to exercise independent initiative, sound judgment, and work under minimal supervision. Maintain strict confidentiality, handling sensitive information and material in a discretionary manner.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

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

• Physical Demands: Requires some physical activity, with prolonged periods in front of a computer screen.

• Work Environment: Office environment. Work is primarily performed indoors with occasional outdoor work for events.

• Equipment: General office equipment.

• Schedule: Position requires occasional extended work hours, including evenings and weekends.

Job descriptions are guidelines that attempt to characterize the major duties and responsibilities of employees and are subject to change as needs and programs evolve. At The Morton Arboretum, they are considered neither inclusive nor exclusive. It is expected that up to 20% of job duties may change annually.

The expected hiring range for this exempt position is annualized at $67,000 - $77,000 based on experience that will be evaluated during the candidate selection process. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as a part of the final offer.

Our benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

• 401(k) with generous match

• Generous vacation, floating holidays, and sick days

• And more! For a complete list of benefits, please visit our competitive benefits package.

For full consideration, please include your resume along with a cover letter to share with us why our opportunity here at The Morton Arboretum is of interest to you and what makes you stand out as a major gifts professional.

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The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.