Director, Research & Prospect Management

About the Organization 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. Visit amnh.org for more information. Position Overview 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. Reporting to the Vice President, Advancement Operations and Strategy, the Director will manage a team of two direct reports and serve as the Museum's primary resource for prospect and donor research, prospect strategy, and portfolio management. 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 Research & Analysis In partnership with the Vice President, Advancement Operations and Strategy, develop and implement prospect research methodologies, standards, and best practices that support the Museum’s fundraising priorities. Produce narrative research profiles on donors, volunteer leadership, and other prospects, drawing on financial databases, 990 filings, and other holdings-related sources. Provide thoughtful analysis and recommendations that help Advancement and Museum leadership understand the significance of research findings and determine appropriate next steps. Bring a strong data and analytical orientation to the role, using metrics, trends, and modeling outputs to inform research priorities and decisions. Monitor news and conduct reputational research on individuals and organizations connected to the Museum's fundraising efforts. Exercise sound judgment in handling sensitive research findings, determining what to include and how to communicate it professionally. Prospecting & Pipeline Development Lead proactive prospect identification efforts across Advancement to build and strengthen fundraiser portfolios and identify pipeline gaps and opportunities. Partner with Advancement and Corporate colleagues to develop prospect pipelines for emerging Advancement priorities, strategic opportunities, leadership travel, and Museum events. Build a more intentional system for leveraging Museum events, exhibition openings, and other institutional gatherings as prospecting opportunities, including attendee review, identification of high-potential prospects, post-event follow-up, and communication with the appropriate fundraising teams. Committee Support & Volunteer Leadership Serve as the Vice President's primary partner on the Committee on Trustees’ work, managing the committee's prospecting and research needs from start to finish fo…