Senior Prospect Researcher

About Us:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) was founded in 2000 with one clear objective: accelerating meaningful therapeutic advances and, ultimately, a cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD). The Foundation applies extraordinary scientific, business and media assets to this singular focus—thus creating a unique and dynamic organization. Since inception, MJFF has quickly grown into the largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s disease research, having funded over $2 billion in research projects in both academic and industry labs worldwide.

Core to our philosophy is how we think of our capital and its risk profile relative to other stakeholders in the drug development pipeline. We work aggressively to de-risk various therapeutic strategies and tools in the hopes of building a robust pipeline of new treatments for patients. In order to achieve our mission of finding a cure for PD it is critical that we engage with, and bring together, members of the PD community including researchers, physicians, health professionals and most important, people with Parkinson's and their families.

We believe that to find a cure for PD as quickly as possible, our capital needs to push research forward today—we therefore deliberately hold no endowment or excessive reserves. We instead seek to deploy funds raised as quickly and wisely as possible. MJFF raises over $100 million annually. Today, the Foundation has approximately 300 full-time employees. We offer a collegial and collaborative environment where optimistic problem-solvers and entrepreneurial, resourceful individuals can thrive and make a tangible difference for millions of people living with Parkinson’s disease.

Position Summary: 
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (“the Foundation”) is seeking top talent for its Senior Prospect Researcher job posting.  This position plays a key role in the growing prospecting research and development function at the Foundation.  This role is a collaborator, working with prospect researchers, fundraising strategists and relationship managers to identify high capacity and affinity prospects who can support the Foundation’s mission to end Parkinson’s disease.  

This position may be hybrid-flex with the opportunity to work out of the Foundation’s office in New York City or based remotely within the U.S.  

Primary Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Support and manage the prospecting team’s efforts to identify and research a pool of high capacity and affinity individuals; manage the recommendation of select prospects into fundraiser-managed portfolios
• Deliver dynamic, bespoke prospect research requests, tailoring based on the individual’s knowledge and engagement with the Foundation, in addition to their stage in the donor pipeline and proximity to an outright ask
• Execute best-in-class prospect research to support the proactive identification of potential donors to Foundation leadership and relationship managers
• Maximize a suite of fundraising tools and technology (including LexisNexis, iWave and others) to produce relationship mapping, prospect identification at scale, and original, individualized profiles
• Partner with gift officers on reviewing and prioritizing their portfolios, supporting their efforts to create compelling asks of supporters
• Fulfill research requests as needed, including keeping key prospect profiles up to date, conducting due diligence, or wealth refreshes to affirm a prospect’s capacity, interests and affinity
• Collaborate with Major and Principal gifts fundraisers to enhance the prospect pipeline across stages – research, strategy, cultivation
• Manage event attendee research and prospect identification for the Foundation’s special events – galas, luncheons, athletic events and others
• Provide reports on prospect management impact and support the Director of Prospect Research & Development in establishing key benchmarks for success
• Manage and disseminate relevant updates and alerts on key prospects to relationship managers

Qualifications and Skills: 

• Relevant experience in a prospect research, development, or management role
• Relevant experience leading meetings with fundraisers and teams regarding prospect strategy, pipeline development, or prospect recommendations
• Ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative research and deliver relevant updates across stakeholders; experience sharing research to C-suite or leadership a plus
• Track record of delivering high-quality prospect research
• Ability to analyze assets and make determinations on wealth and giving opportunities related to those assets
• Experience delivering bespoke and highly customized prospect research for high end donors, ideally those capable of making gifts of $1M or higher
• Track record of partnering, collaborating, or supporting relationship managers in moving prospects through the donor pipeline
• Experience with prospecting tools and technology; experience with LexisNexis, iWave or SalesForce a is a plus
• Champion of feedback and collaborating across teams to improve deliverables
• Organized, with the ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

Salary and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $85,000 to $100,000. In addition to salary, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 15+ options for medical insurance (with the Foundation paying 90 percent of the premiums)
• Competitive dental and vision plans
• 401(k) plan with 6 percent employer contribution
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employer paid life and disability insurance
• 18 Vacation Days; 12 Well-Being (Sick) Days; 2 Personal Days; summer Fridays (office closure at 2 p.m.) and a summer holiday week over July 4
• Two ways of working: hybrid-flex, or remote work.  We trust all employees to work closely with their manager and colleagues to determine when, where and how programs and projects get done.  

Employees are also eligible for a discretionary bonus on an annual basis. The Foundation provides staff and leadership cultivation through regular training courses and events.  

How to Apply: 
Interested candidates should submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter describing through examples, their specific qualifications and interest in the position. If you think that your skills are transferable and can add value to this role, please apply. Applicants who best match the position’s needs will be contacted.

MJFF is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who will contribute to our efforts to build and support a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Diversity may refer to characteristics including, but not limited to, race, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic circumstance, geographic background, ability and disability, political ideology and age.