Prospect Development Manager

SALARY & FLSA: $77,968.80 – 94,569.45 per year; FLSA exempt

The $$77,968.80 annual starting pay is structured to be competitive and may extend up to $85,000 of the annual range, reflecting our commitment to offering competitive compensation to qualified candidates.

OPENING DATE: 03/21/2025

CLOSING DATE: 04/08/2025

JOB TYPE: Regular, Full-time

UNION: Non-Represented

OPENINGS: 1

LOCATION: Hybrid (on grounds 2-3 days/week and remainder work remotely)

DEPARTMENT: Development

HOW DO YOU ZOO?

More than 1.3 million people visit Woodland Park Zoo each year. We connect people with wildlife and remind them of what’s at stake in our changing world. Our job is to motivate people to take action and provide them with the tools needed to join us in saving endangered species. Working for the zoo means upholding our mission, “To save wildlife and inspire everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.” Apply today and show us how you zoo.

Who You Are

As our new Prospect Development Analyst, we know you will be successful in this role because you are:

• Analytical and detail-oriented – You excel at assessing the relative value of a variety of information and sources, synthesizing and interpreting relevant prospect data into coherent, well-written documents.
• Tech-savvy and resourceful – You have strong computing and online research skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, relational databases, subscription and free online databases, and internet search engines.
• Adaptable and collaborative – You thrive in both independent and team settings, demonstrating flexibility and efficiency in dynamic work environments while maintaining a commitment to accuracy and quality.
• Ethically driven and process-focused – You are committed to professional ethics, adhere strictly to confidentiality requirements, and have experience creating policies, procedures, and training materials.
  
  

Your Primary Responsibilities

Portfolio Management (40 %)

• Serve as liaison to assigned fundraisers to assess and meet their needs for portfolio balance and time management. Meet regularly to interpret relationship management data compared to baselines and review upcoming cultivation/solicitation plans.
• Develop and prioritize fundraiser portfolios, including assigning new prospects to fundraisers.
• Integrate research and relationship management processes to maximize fundraiser support and fundraising effectiveness.
• Utilize currently available software including Salesforce and Tableau to develop, review, modify, test, document, and implement queries, reports, dashboards, and analysis to extract data insights, specifically around portfolio performance under the supervision of the Prospect Development Manager.
• Lead projects aimed at identifying new engagement opportunities and addressing prospect pool challenges through creative problem-solving.
• Orient and train fundraisers on essential data processes to maintain accurate organizational knowledge of prospects and their relationships with the zoo.
• Partner with the Prospect Development Manager on donor strategy, portfolio development and attend prospect and portfolio review meetings as appropriate.
  
  

Research & Data Management (60%)

• Support creation and maintenance of formal discovery processes, including but not limited to documenting processes for research, information management, and tracking in Salesforce.
• Research and create quality strategic briefings and profiles on both individual and institutional prospects aligned with organizational priorities, which includes relevant biographical, philanthropic motivation/interests, relational information, and identification of missing critical information.
• Collaborate with colleagues to identify possible networks and synthesize pertinent relationship data.
• Keep up with biographical updates, current events (national and local), industry trends and prospect research advancements, including the use of AI tools. Share relevant information with development staff and proactively offer relevant research findings, industry analyses and strategic recommendations.
• Interpret the affinities of prospects for alignment with zoo strategic priorities and funding opportunities.
• Evaluate and rate donor prospects based on known qualification indicators including wealth, giving capacity, inclination, affinity, alignment, and eligibility factors utilizing research tools.
• Utilize research methodologies to uncover unidentified prospects and engagement opportunities.
• Ensure database integrity and accuracy by performing audits, entering and maintaining accurate donor data, and implementing systematic data validation processes.
• Assist in the development, interpretation, and implementation of appropriate trainings, policies and procedures for relationship management, and research with all development and advancement staff. Pursue opportunities to optimize business processes to increase operational effectiveness and allow for measurable results in efficiency gain.
• Maintain and adhere to data privacy and professional ethics standards around information gathering and sharing while always safeguarding the confidentiality of donor information.
• Meet with internal zoo stakeholders to discuss, understand, and document research request requirements.
• Assist with coordination between Data Services and Philanthropic Events including but not limited to event invitations, processing registrations and other financial transactions, table seating, data imports/exports, and working with internal stakeholders for post-event stewardship and reporting.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to speak a language in addition to English.
• Knowledge of fundraising portfolio management.
• Proficiency with Salesforce for nonprofits.
• Experience writing queries/reports in a relationship database.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and one year of experience in prospect research, development, advancement, and/or other relevant experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience using a relational database, subscription and free online databases, and internet search engines.
• Experience with creating policies, procedures, and training materials.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Suite
• Successful applicants must live and work in Washington State to perform this role.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old
  
  

Benefits

• The Woodland Park Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package for full time staff including:
• Medical, dental, and vision HMO and PPO plans for you and eligible dependents
• 11 paid holidays and 4 personal holidays 
• Accrue 12 vacation days and another 12 days of sick leave your first year
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 
• Tuition reimbursement 
• Free zoo membership that includes zoo admission and discounts after 90 days 
• 4 complimentary tickets per year plus other discounts and perks  
• Free staff parking 
• 403(b) Retirement Plan 
  
  

SELECTION PROCESS

Application: Please include a resume and cover letter with your application through our Zoo Careers site at zoo.org/jobs. Please be sure to list or upload copies of all relevant training and certifications on your application. The zoo may review existing application pools to fill this position or use this pool to fill future vacancies. 

This opportunity is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Woodland Park Zoo values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The zoo encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, 2SLGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. Woodland Park Zoo is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in all its services. If you need accommodation in the application or interview process, please contact our recruiting team at careers@zoo.org.

Screening: We will review applications and select some candidates for screening calls. Final candidates will be invited for virtual or in-person interviews.

Offer: Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process including the completion of a background check.