Research Manager

Advancement Research Manager

At Feed the Children, we recognize the value of outstanding people, and we are looking for compassionate changemakers to join our team. We pride ourselves on cultivating a collaborative workplace where employees experience productive and rewarding employment and feel engaged in our mission to end childhood hunger. Our passionate team shares a deep sense of purpose, and we dream big to solve complex problems and create positive impact in communities around the world.

Feed the Children is recognized by Candid with its Platinum Seal of Transparency and is accredited by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. The organization has received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is consistently recognized on the Forbes Top 100 Charities list.

We are currently in search of an Advancement Research Manager to join our Development team! The Advancement Research Manager plays a key role in advancing major and planned giving by integrating prospect intelligence, portfolio strategy, and high-touch donor stewardship. This position is responsible for leading prospect identification and qualification efforts, providing research-driven insights that strengthen frontline fundraising, and ensuring gift officers are equipped with accurate, actionable information to support donor engagement.

In addition, the role oversees the processing and stewardship of complex and high-value gifts, including donor-advised funds (DAFs), IRA qualified charitable distributions, and other non-cash contributions, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and exceptional donor care. Serving as a strategic partner to development leadership and gift officers, the Advancement Research Manager strengthens pipeline development, enhances data integrity within the CRM, and supports a seamless, personalized donor experience throughout the giving lifecycle.

Job Requirements:

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.

Required:

• 3+ years in prospect research, development operations, or major gifts support
• Experience handling or supporting complex gifts (DAFs, IRAs/QCDs, securities, etc.)
• Strong analytical and research skills

Preferred:

• Experience with wealth screening and prospect research tools (e.g., iWave, Kindsight, Wealth Engine)
• Knowledge of IRS guidelines related to charitable giving vehicles
• Experience collaborating with finance, legal, or gift processing teams
• Background in stewardship strategy and donor experience design

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and SharePoint required.

Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of this job may be considered.

Essential Functions:

Prospect Research & Pipeline Strategy

• Manage and lead prospect identification and qualification strategy for Advancement team
• Oversee portfolio analysis and pipeline management
• Lead staff for research consultants, or vendors, if applicable
• Identify, research, and qualify prospective major gift donors using internal and external data sources
• Produce concise, actionable prospect profiles, wealth assessments, and briefing materials
• Support portfolio development through prospect identification, segmentation, and prioritization
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date prospect records within the CRM
• Assign and remove qualified prospects to gift officers in the CRM
• Recommend assignments for Midlevel and Planned Giving teams

Stewardship & Complex Gift Management

• Lead and coordinate stewardship activities for major donors, with a focus on high-capacity and complex gift donors
• Partner with vendors to track gifts made through donor-advised funds (DAFs), IRA qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), stock transfers, and other non-cash vehicles
• Ensure proper acknowledgment, documentation, and compliance for complex gifts in collaboration with finance and legal teams
• Serve as an internal resource on best practices for handling and stewarding complex gifts

Major Gift & Frontline Fundraiser Support

• Prepare high-quality donor briefings, including giving history, affiliations, and strategic recommendations
• Support gift officers in moves…