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Director of Research
Donors Forum (DF) is the premier resource
for networking and education, information and knowledge,
and leadership on behalf of philanthropy in the state
of Illinois. As a nonprofit membership association of
grantmakers, individual donors and advisors, Donors
Forum advances philanthropy by serving its members and
by promoting an effective and informed nonprofit sector.
Donors Forum serves over 200 Members
from philanthropic institutions; 30 Associate Members
in financial, legal and strategic advisory roles; more
than 1200 Forum Partners from the nonprofit community;
and the public. Donors Forum provides a variety of workshops,
seminars and professional development opportunities
for grantmakers, development professionals, trustees
and others in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors.
Through its programming, peer groups and exchanges,
Donors Forum provides its membership with valuable opportunities
to network, collaborate and share information. Members,
Partners and Associate Members have access to specialized
research and reference assistance. The Donors Forum
Library, which is open to the public, houses the Midwest's
largest collection of philanthropic and nonprofit resources.
Donors Forum also plays a key leadership and advocacy
role. The Forum is a voice for the sector, articulating
the reach, impact and contributions made possible by
and through local philanthropic and nonprofit organizations.
The Donors Forum has an annual budget
of approximately $2 million and a staff of 21.
Title: Director of Research
Reports To: Senior Vice President, Membership
and External Relations
Service Center: Research
General Job Description: The
Director of Research manages and advances DF's proprietary
research products and projects, including special giving
reports, Illinois Funding Source and related data sources.
The Director works closely with staff throughout the
organization to guide and develop and envision research
agendas, projects and tools in support of internal and
external research priorities, including market research
supporting the organization's growth and program evaluation
to support organizational improvement. Works creatively
and collaboratively to identify research needs, gaps,
strategies, and partners and to design and/or implement
research products as appropriate. Manages the schedule
for and preparation of Donors Forum's operating plan
and periodic reporting.
Essential Job Duties and Expected
Outcomes:
1. Manages and conceptualizes Donors
Forum's special and ongoing research projects and reports.
Designs and develops research reports and products for
internal and external constituents based on Illinois
Funding Source, iMIS and other data sources and surveys.
Works with staff, Member Issue Groups, and other constituents
to identify and create accessible research products
and data sets to support market segmentation, outreach
and feedback as well as education and knowledge programming
and related goals
2. Participates and provides leadership
in the Management Team to ensure planning for and accomplishment
of annual operating goals and effective communications
within the organization; works closely with Management
Team members on annual operating plans and periodic
reporting on accomplishments throughout the organization,
including lead responsibility for report preparation
and compilation of summary statistics.
3. Develops and implements Donors Forum's
evaluation plan to measure outcomes against the operating
plan and mission.
4. Manages the creation of feedback
and evaluation mechanisms, including market research,
satisfaction indicators, and program evaluation protocols
across organizational program/education initiatives.
Works with staff throughout organization to support
constituent research tools and capacity.
5. Manages the development and maintenance
of IFS, including data analysis, outreach to participants,
prospects and partners, development of reports, and
enhancing/testing/verifying the integrity of the online
and back-end databases, as well as subscriber services
as appropriate.
6. Works with staff throughout the
organization and beyond to develop research goals and
to identify strategies, priorities and partners. Helps
to staff related committees and teams as needed.
7. Works closely with staff throughout
the organization to identify opportunities and to design
and implement research plans to support existing publications
and new research and outreach materials including customized
reports for members. Manages all aspects of research-driven
publications.
8. Plans and manages the research budget
with particular attention to achieving revenue and expense
goals; performs fundraising functions; manages research
staff/consultants, facilities, material and equipment,
and other assets to ensure responsible controls over,
and utilization of, Donors Forum resources.
9. Develops and maintains relationships
with vendors, Members, research partners, and others
required to advance research goals.
10. Maintains required job skills and
core professional competencies. Attends and participates
in required educational programs and staff meetings
to ensure professional development.
11. Performs other duties as assigned.
Performance Measures:
- Internal and external inquiries
are responded to with timely, accurate, and relevant
information.
- Internal and external research goals
are achieved in accordance with the annual operating
plan.
- DF's visibility and positioning
as a research resource on nonprofit and/or philanthropic
issues increases.
- DF's data resources are broadly
and creatively deployed and valued by internal and
external constituents.
- Standards, tools, and goals for
constituent feedback are expanded to help support
decision-making, prioritization, and assessment of
constituent needs and satisfaction.
- Internal planning process is conducted
on a timely basis and periodic reporting is timely
and accurate.
- Organization-wide evaluation plan
with metrics is developed and implemented.
- Illinois Funding Source database
is regularly and accurately updated and maintained,
with ongoing communications to retain, update and
recruit participants and subscribers.
- Annual subscriptions to Illinois
Funding Source increase.
- Goals of annual operating priorities,
including financial goals, are achieved.
- Demonstrates leadership and makes
specific contributions to a respectful, collaborative
work environment.
Position Qualifications:
- Master's degree along with three
years relevant work experience.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiples
tasks and priorities, prioritize work, maintain deadlines,
and ensure quality of work.
- Demonstrated excellent interpersonal
skills.
- Excellent communications and analytical
skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Access
and Microsoft Excel; computer, and Internet literacy
also required.
Special Conditions: Occasional
overtime and travel.
Position Classification: Exempt
Salary: Commensurate with
experience; history must be included for review of application
Cover Letters and Resumes Should
Be Sent To:
Director of Research Search
Donors Forum
208 South LaSalle Street, Suite 740
Chicago, IL 60604
Or email to: recruitment@donorsforum.org
using the subject line: Director of Research Search
No phone calls, please.
Donors Forum is an equal opportunity
employer.
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