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About the Role

The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) seeks a strategic and analytically rigorous Director, Research & Prospect Management to lead the Museum's research, prospect management, portfolio strategy, and pipeline development work in support of the Advancement team’s fundraising priorities. This role partners closely with colleagues across Major Gifts, Planned Giving, Principal Gifts, Corporate Relations, Advancement Events, and Advancement Services to ensure research and data consistently inform fundraising strategy. The Director will have the unique opportunity to redefine the role in a more expansive and modern direction by strengthening portfolio review practices, deepening the use of modeling and data in assignment decisions, and building a more proactive, institution-wide approach to prospecting and pipeline development.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement prospect research methodologies, standards, and best practices.
Produce narrative research profiles on donors, volunteer leadership, and other prospects.
Provide analysis and recommendations to leadership regarding research findings.
Use metrics, trends, and modeling outputs to inform research priorities and decisions.
Monitor news and conduct reputational research on individuals and organizations.
Handle sensitive research findings with sound judgment and professional communication.
Lead proactive prospect identification efforts to build and strengthen fundraiser portfolios.
Develop prospect pipelines for emerging Advancement priorities, strategic opportunities, leadership travel, and Museum events.
Leverage Museum events and gatherings as prospecting opportunities.
Manage the Committee on Trustees’ prospecting and research needs.
Surface, assess, and track prospective candidates for Board and volunteer leadership.
Build a pipeline of prospects for volunteer leadership groups.
Oversee prospect segmentation and assignment within Raiser’s Edge NXT.
Strengthen portfolio reviews, establish clearer assignment criteria, and apply modeling and wealth screening data.
Develop and refine moves management policies, portfolio review practices, and database-related processes.
Ensure fundraiser portfolios are appropriately sized and composed.
Strengthen the use of data, modeling, wealth screening, and prospecting tools.
Support effective use of Raiser’s Edge NXT, modeling outputs, and other data sources.
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and insight through updated workflows, tools, and research practices.
Stay current on trends and best practices in prospect research, prospect management, fundraising analytics, AI, and data-informed fundraising.
Manage and develop a team of two direct reports, setting goals and fostering a collaborative culture.
Partner with Advancement and Corporate colleagues by providing research, analysis, and recommendations.
Work closely with Advancement Services on database policy, process, and data maintenance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in prospect research and portfolio management in a complex nonprofit, cultural, or mission-driven institution.
Minimum of 4 years of management experience, including demonstrated experience successfully leading and managing a team.
Experience using financial databases, reviewing 990s and other financial holdings, and producing high-quality research profiles.
Familiarity with Raiser's Edge NXT (strongly preferred) and wealth screening tools (such as iWave, LexisNexis, RelSci, or similar).
Comfort with analytics, Excel, and modeling outputs, with the ability to translate data into portfolio and prospecting strategy.
Experience with moves management systems, policy development, and portfolio review or assignment frameworks.
Strong writing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, useful, and actionable research.
Strong analytical, research, organizational, and project management skills.
Genuine affinity for the natural world and the ability to engage authentically with the Museum's research, exhibitions, and scientific work.

Skills

Prospect research
Portfolio management
Data analysis
Financial database utilization
990 review
Research profile creation
Raiser's Edge NXT
Wealth screening tools (iWave, LexisNexis, RelSci)
Excel
Modeling
Moves management systems
Policy development
Project management
Writing
Analytical skills
Research skills
Organizational skills

Location

New York, NY

Work Type

Full-time

Experience Level

10+ years professional experience
4+ years management experience

Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Salary/Compensations

$140,000 - $165,000

Benefits

Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Life Insurance
Retirement Plans
PTO

About the Company

The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), founded in 1869 with a dual mission of scientific research and science education, is one of the world’s preeminent scientific, educational, and cultural institutions.
The Museum encompasses more than 40 permanent exhibition halls, galleries for temporary exhibitions, the Rose Center for Earth and Space, including the Hayden Planetarium, and the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation.
The Museum’s scientists draw on a world-class permanent collection of more than 30 million specimens and objects, some of which are billions of years old, and on one of the largest natural history libraries in the world.
Through its Richard Gilder Graduate School, the Museum offers two of the only free-standing, degree-granting programs of their kind at any museum in the U.S.: the Ph.D. program in Comparative Biology and the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Earth Science residency program.
Orr Group is a strategic partner to nonprofit organizations, offering comprehensive fundraising and executive recruitment support that advances mission, maximizes philanthropic potential, and builds long-term sustainability.
Orr Group specializes in the business of philanthropy, helping its partners drive results through data-informed strategies, embedded team members, and hands-on implementation.