City : Waterloo, ON

Category : Permanent

Industry : Education

Employer : University of Waterloo

Accountable to the Associate Director, Prospect Research and in support of University fundraising activity, the Research Data Specialist is responsible for promoting the use and integrity of prospect information in our database of record. This includes creating queries, developing exports, running reports, assisting with data entry, supporting Team members, proactively identifying data issues, liaising with other Advancement units and maintaining business rules. The purpose of this role is to improve the quality of our database fundraising content and ensure prospect information is reliable for strategic analysis and planning exercises.

Data management and integrity for fundraising activity

• Ensures data quality and consistency for fundraising metrics through queries and exports
• Identifies areas of risk and proposes solutions to lessen said risks
• Supports Prospect Research Team through creation of queries, exports and reports
• Develops, maintains and manages data integrity reports with support and direction from Supervisor
• Provides a high level of customer service to Advancement Faculties/Units through queries, exports and reports
• Has thorough understanding of all data elements in our system of record and their interpretation
• Strong grasp of query syntax and export capabilities from our database of record
• Collects strategic data from areas across campus that is of relevance to fundraising activities
• Prepares policy and procedure documentation

Provides support for Prospect Clearance & Management

• Manages updates to solicitor assignments and prospect ratings on the Advancement database of record through customized tools, queries, exports and reports following University guidelines
• Provides data quality oversight with support from Supervisor
• Mitigates risk through a strong understanding of purpose and function of complex ratings and reports utilized in custom tools and reports
• Communicates with Faculty/Unit-based clients regarding Prospect Clearance & Management, where appropriate

Establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders

• Serves as liaison for Prospect Research with Advancement Systems Team in the development and testing of customized tools and reports
• Co-ordinates with Alumni & Donor Services (ADS), Team to stay abreast of changes to data entry and maintenance procedures and communicate relevant changes to Prospect Research Team
• Collaborates with ADS Team on collection and capture of fundraising data to ensure data integrity
• Communicates with Faculty/Unit representatives to address inquiries and ensure data integrity
• Partners with Advancement Training Officer to communicate and promote data expectations to Faculty/Unit Teams
• Co-ordinates with Alumni Relations Volunteer Engagement Officers to understand data entry processes and requirements and communicate to Prospect Research Team and Faculty/Units, where appropriate

 Performs Prospect Research services

• Performs basic prospect research activities as necessary
• Communicates with Faculty/Unit-based clients at all levels regarding research requests
• Manages multiple deadlines and competing priorities to ensure projects are completed on time

• Post-secondary degree, or equivalent experience; Specialized studies in databases and systems an asset
• 2 – 3 years of data management experience on an enterprise level database
• Previous experience developing Queries, Exports and using canned Reports from an enterprise level relational database
• 1 – 2 years at a charitable organization preferred
• Proven strong verbal and written communication skills
• Previous experience with Raiser’s Edge an asset
• Experience working in Prospect Research
• Excellent client service and communication skills, demonstrating diplomacy in all situations
• Ability to take initiative
• Possess sense of curiosity and collaborative mind set
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a Team
• Excellent problem solving and interpersonal skills
• Strong computer skills, with advanced proficiency in MS Word and Excel
• Previous experience with Raiser’s Edge an asset
• Ability to handle confidential matters with a high level of integrity
• Understanding of Prospect Research and Prospect Management fundamentals

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within our Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion.  As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca  or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.