Description

JOB SUMMARY
The Assistant Director, Development Operations and Research is responsible for designing, administering, and continuously improving development operations systems, prospect research practices, fundraising analytics, and reporting processes that support alumni, parent, donor, foundation, and corporate engagement efforts across The Cooper Union.
Working in close partnership with the Senior Director of Development Operations, this position serves as a subject matter expert in constituent data management, prospect research, portfolio analytics, fundraising performance reporting, and development systems administration. The Assistant Director translates data into actionable fundraising intelligence, supports strategic decision-making, and helps ensure the integrity, effectiveness, and scalability of Alumni Affairs and Development operations.
This critical role regularly collaborates with Alumni Affairs and Development staff, the Business Office, Information Technology, the Office of the President, faculty, administrators, vendors, and external partners
 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Development Operations and Systems Management
Partner with the Senior Director of Development Operations to administer, evaluate, and continuously improve development operations systems, policies, procedures, and workflows that support fundraising, donor engagement, and alumni affairs.
Maintain and strengthen constituent data integrity through routine audits, quality-control procedures, and adherence to departmental standards.
Serve as a primary administrator and power user of fundraising and research platforms, including Slate, DonorSearch, LexisNexis, Tableau, and related technologies.
Maintain major and principal gift pipeline reports, proposal tracking systems, and fundraising performance metrics to support leadership decision-making.
Analyze trends and opportunities within alumni, parent, donor, foundation, corporate, and institutional constituencies and present findings in a clear and actionable manner.
Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, prospect management practices, and user adoption of development technologies.
Liaise closely and regularly with relevant campus partners, vendors, and consultants to ensure effective integration and utilization of fundraising systems and research tools.
Prospect Research, Portfolio Strategy, and Principal Gifts Support
Conduct proactive prospect identification, wealth screening analysis, relationship mapping, and philanthropic capacity assessments to support fundraising priorities.
Prepare prospect profiles, briefing materials, donor intelligence reports, and strategy documents for senior leadership, trustees, volunteers, and fundraising staff.
Support principal gift fundraising efforts through prospect research, relationship mapping, donor intelligence gathering, briefing materials, and strategy documentation.
Support prospect review meetings and portfolio strategy discussions that advance donor discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts.
Monitor portfolio performance and recommend strategies that strengthen fundraising outcomes across individual, foundation, corporate, and institutional giving programs.
Training, Collaboration, and Leadership
Train and support Alumni Affairs and Development staff on prospect research methodologies, CRM best practices, reporting tools, prospect management, and data governance standards.
Author and edit written documents, including prospect profiles, biographies, reports, presentations, correspondence, acknowledgements, and other materials as required.
Demonstrate excellent skill in persuasion through written and spoken communication.
Participate in department-wide events, meetings, donor engagement activities, priorities of the Office of the President, and institutional initiatives as required.
Other duties as assigned.
 

SKILLS/REQUIREMENTS
3-plus years of experience in development operations, prospect research, fundraising analytics, higher education advancement, nonprofit management, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience supporting fundraising strategy through prospect research, donor intelligence, portfolio management, and data analysis.
Exceptional time management, analytical, research, and organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
Excellent writing, proofreading, editing, and presentation skills.
Experience working with Slate database and other constituent relationship management systems, prospect research platforms, and reporting tools (e.g., DonorSearch, LexisNexis, Tableau, Raiser's Edge, or similar systems).
Ability to manage multiple priorities independently, exercise sound professional judgment, and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive donor and institutional information.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues across departments and support best practices in fundraising operations and data management.
Understanding of fundraising principles, prospect development, and relationship-based philanthropy in a higher education or nonprofit environment.
Propriety, thoughtfulness, and discretion.
Appreciation for The Cooper Union mission and ethos.
 

EDUCATION
Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree preferred.

Annual Salary Range: $75,000 - $78,000
This is a unionized position.

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Email materials to: hr@cooper.edu