Senior Director, Prospect Management and Research

Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. • Washington, DC

10d • Hybrid

About The Position

NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions.
Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has helped craft and deliver many of America’s foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Today, we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world, from offices in Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Beijing, London, and New Delhi (a subsidiary of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd.).
Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature and safeguard public health across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. At NRDC, we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent, passion, and expertise together for a common purpose: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world. Learn more at nrdc.org
NRDC is seeking a Senior Director, Prospect Management and Research to work with our Development team in one of our U.S.-based offices.
Position Summary
NRDC is seeking a dynamic Senior Director of Prospect Management and Research to lead and elevate our newly integrated Prospect Management and Research team. In this pivotal role, you will shape the vision and strategy for a best‑in‑class operation that supports a high-performing development division of more than 100 staff across the country. You’ll guide an eight-person team, champion innovative approaches, leverage emerging technologies, and ensure NRDC remains at the forefront of an evolving philanthropic landscape. With a focus on strategic insight, data-driven decision-making, and strong partnership with frontline fundraisers, you will play a key role in unlocking donor potential and driving meaningful impact.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• Minimum 10 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising with a specific focus on both prospect management and research for individuals, corporations and foundations.
• Demonstrated mastery of all aspects of prospect research and relationship management for all levels of individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Minimum of 5 years of management experience.
• Prior experience with transforming prospect research and management functions using advanced analytics and technology
• Experience evaluating complex issues, identifying appropriate solutions, and providing leadership in development and implementation of a strategic plan
• Experience creating and executing prospect identification plans that are aligned to fundraising priorities
• Experience adapting and customizing prospect strategy management, tracking, and reporting for different prospect segments
• Analytical skills with proven ability to perform complex analyses using data mining techniques to identify philanthropic patterns and tendencies in the constituent database
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex financial disclosure documents for the purposes of wealth assessment (SEC filings, real property files, financial and legal disclosures, etc.)
• Scrupulous accuracy and attention to detail
• Exercise sound independent judgment, following established protocols and procedures
• Ability to interact effectively with all levels of the organization, including executive level staff
• Commitment to adopting best practices and operational efficiency
• Mastery of the development cycle, with advanced knowledge of the role of prospect management research within the cycle
• Excellent planning skills and experience with the ability to identify, clarify and articulate project purpose, goals, and outcomes
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex information in a clear, succinct output
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders with discretion and professionalism
• Ability to travel to NRDC U.S. based offices, approximately 20% annually
• Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in an environmental or advocacy organization preferred, but not required
• Demonstrated success leading prospect and management teams in a fundraising division that secures 6 and 7-figure gifts as well as blended gifts with planned giving and/or complex assets components
• Familiarity with Salesforce preferred

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and vision for the Prospect Management and Research team, ensuring clear guidance on proactive methodologies and deliverables.
• Lead the continued development of a newly integrated and expanding team, establishing a best‑in‑class prospect management and research operation.
• Establish and refine performance metrics and KPIs to articulate the output, quality, and impact of prospect research and management activities on fundraising outcomes.
• Develop and implement comprehensive strategies, goals, and best practices that advance the effectiveness and impact of the prospect development and research function.
• Evaluate complex donor portfolio and research challenges, identify and propose appropriate solutions, and guide the development and execution of the team’s strategic plan.
• Communicate analytical insights and data‑driven conclusions with clarity to the SVP, leadership team, and the broader division.
• As the functional leader of the Prospect Management and Research team, oversee talent development, role clarity, performance expectations, and evolution of team capabilities.
• Translate insights and activities related to a dynamic prospect pool into actionable strategies that maximize fundraising opportunities for NRDC.
• Collaborate with principal, major, foundation, membership, and planned giving officers to develop effective systems and protocols that support complex donor conversations and giving strategies.
• Design proactive research and analytical approaches to identify, evaluate, and prioritize prospects for qualification, cultivation, and solicitation.
• Recommend appropriate prospect assignments to gift officers and oversee tracking of prospect movement throughout the donor lifecycle.
• Maintain and refine systems to monitor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities, while providing fundraisers and leadership with metrics and KPIs that demonstrate progress and outcomes.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on prospect management policies, procedures, and best practices, offering guidance and support across the division.
• Analyze prospect pipelines, capacity ratings, and fundraising trends to deliver data‑driven recommendations to senior leadership and gift officers, adjusting strategy as needed.
• Establish and maintain proactive research practices, leveraging advanced data‑mining methods to conduct ongoing reviews and audits of CRM data that expand and strengthen the prospect pool.
• Collect, interpret, and present metrics and KPIs related to prospective donors and philanthropic trends for internal audiences including NRDC staff, the Board of Trustees, and the Executive Leadership Team.
• Oversee the production of thorough, accurate, and succinct research profiles for mid‑level, major gift, principal, corporate, foundation, and planned giving prospects and donors.
• Develop comprehensive reports by synthesizing prospect data from multiple sources, utilizing tables, charts, maps, and other visual formats to communicate insights effectively.
• Partner with gift officers and Development leadership to align prospective donors with institutional priorities and strategic fundraising goals.
• Oversee the use, evaluation, and optimization of prospect management and research tools ensuring resources are leveraged effectively and strategically.
• Develop growth plans for the team and clearly articulate to leadership the rationale and need for additional resources, tools, and investment to advance the unit’s vision.

Benefits

• We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment.
• Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience.
• Internal equity will be reviewed and considered to determine a final offer.
• For this position, the salary range is $173,000 to $190,500.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director