Prospect Research Officer

**About Western**: Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference. **About Us**: The University Advancement division plays a leading role in strengthening awareness of and support for the University’s mission and goals by leading alumni relations and fundraising efforts across campus and beyond. All departments within the Division build enduring alumni and public trust through understanding and support for Western University in a coordinated campus-wide effort that results in the engagement and funding needed to make an impact. There are 3 departments within the Division - Departments of Development, Alumni Relations and Advancement Operations. **Responsibilities**: The Prospect Research Officer is responsible for providing biographical and financial research on individuals, corporations, and foundations for Western fundraising and alumni staff. Main responsibilities: - Conduct biographical and financial research on individual, corporate and foundation prospects, and analyze, interpret and evaluate the information to prepare concise and informative prospect profiles - Prepare background briefings for alumni events, strategy planning sessions and fundraising events, and fulfill other specific research requests as needed for staff - Monitor and capture news, trends and issues that impact Western programs - Maintain and ensure accuracy of database content to strengthen effectiveness of donor communications relations - Perform other duties as required **Qualifications** **Education**: - Current Western Student or recent graduate **Experience**: - Experience in a research development or fundraising environment - Experience as a prospect researcher in either an academic or healthcare setting is an asset **Skills and Expertise**: - Working knowledge of privacy legislation and ethics statements by appropriate professional bodies. Proven awareness of confidentiality issues and acceptable methods of information collection and retention. - Proficiency in using commercial information systems such as Factiva, Lexis Nexis to uncover information on prospects, knowledge of secondary research techniques to discover and verify information obtained through primary resources. - Working knowledge of prospect-research tools such as Foundation Search or Prospect Research Online. - Proficiency at understanding wealth indicators, ability to understand and communicate financial information clearly as it relates to capacity to give. - Attention to detail with data management skills demonstrating the ability to extract and manage volumes of data and organize it into meaningful reports. - Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office and database management required - Proven ability to multi-task and prioritize with an eye to consistently producing high-quality work and meeting deadlines in a demanding environment - Superior verbal communication skills and confidence interacting with internal and external stakeholders at all levels of an organization - Excellent written communication skills with an ability to summarize information, complete detailed analytics and reports - Ability to conduct in-depth research, to analyze and synthesize the information, and prepare concise, accurate, and clearly written briefings **Why Western?**: Consideration of applicants will include an assessment of previous performance, experience, and qualifications. Applicants should have oral communication skills in English. **Western Values Diversity**: **Please Note**: We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.