Boston Ballet
Prospect and Research Manager

Boston, MA
October 2008

The Prospect and Research Manager is responsible for coordinating and enhancing the prospect management functions of the higher end annual fund and major gift programs. Candidates for this senior level position will have a proven history of identifying and qualifying prospects in a major gifts environment in a not-for-profit organization. Familiarity with the Boston arts community and philanthropic environment will be an advantage.

Reports to: Director of Institutional Support

Primary Responsibilities

Identify and qualify new prospects and suspects

• Review staff and volunteer-introduced suspects and prospects (individual, foundation and corporate) to identify, qualify, and rate those with $25K+ capacity
• Audit and screen lists of those already associated with Boston Ballet (current donors, Boston Ballet School parents, subscribers and single ticket buyers, foundations and corporations) on an ongoing basis to identify higher level prospects
• Meet with Boston Ballet school faculty and administration to identify parent prospects
• Monitor key daily and weekly periodicals for prospect names (Globe, BBJ, etc.)
• Conduct periodic prospect screenings with staff, board members and other volunteers
• Identify new prospects by exercising independent and experienced research-qualified judgment as to capacity and inclination
• Work closely with Ballet Information Technology and Finance Departments to produce appropriate financial statements

Manage prospects for the major gift and high-end annual fund (Benefactors) programs

• Manage the introduction and assignment of $25K+ prospects to gift officers and volunteers
• Track moves management for $25K+ prospects in Tessitura
• Employ independent judgment to make recommendations on potential giving capacity and programmatic interest based on research findings.
• Coordinate with the Benefactors and major gifts staff in developing individual and constituency strategies to create a smooth continuum of prospects for the Benefactor and major gifts programs
• Run bi-weekly development staff prospect moves management meetings

Support the cultivation and solicitation process

• Track contact and conversation reports
• Insure accuracy of donor information in Tessitura
• Maintain ongoing regular contact with staff and volunteer solicitors to motivate cultivation and solicitation actions

Manage prospect reporting to the Development staff and Development Committee of the Board of Trustees on:

• New prospects introduced/qualified
• Contacts made and scheduled
• Solicitations made
• Gifts/commitments closed

Other duties as assigned

• Assist with the development of targeted prospect lists for specific events and initiatives

QUALIFICATIONS

• The candidate must be passionate about advancing Boston Ballet , its programs, and dance as an art.
• The candidate must be able to manage very confidential information with impeccable discretion
• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience.
• 3 to 5 years prospect research in the development field
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and coordinate multiple projects, develop strategies for new prospect identification and analyze and summarize complex financial documents, create and maintain research systems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong attention to detail
• Experience working with donor databases. Knowledge of Tessitura a plus.
• Ability to take direction, work independently as well as to be a member of the Development team, set and maintain priorities, balance demands of multiple tasks, meet deadlines
• Results-oriented
• Understanding of endowment initiatives and planned giving vehicles.

Please email cover letter and resume in confidence to:

ssolomon@bostonballet.com

Steve Solomon

Director of Development

Boston Ballet

For more information about Boston Ballet, please visit bostonballet.com