Research Development Manager Jobs in Columbia, MD

WHO IS USA LACROSSE

USA Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is a Recognized Sports Organization of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee who proudly serves the sport by bringing the energy and excitement of our efforts to players, coaches, and officials every time they step on the field.  We collaborate with passionate experts across the sport to create opportunities for people to enjoy the sport, learn about the game, and keep participants safe, ensuring everyone feels welcome. 

As the National Governing Body of men's and women's lacrosse in the United States, we support more than 400,000 members to provide national leadership, structure, and resources to fuel and unify the sport's growth and enrich the experience of its players, coaches, officials, parents, and program leaders.    

USA Lacrosse believes a diverse team best positions our organization to fulfill its mission. We strive to attract and maintain a team of talented and dedicated professionals who represent the diverse nature of our membership and the national lacrosse community.  We are committed to a team culture that ensures everyone feels welcomed, valued, included, and heard.

Mission

As the National Governing Body of lacrosse in the United States, USA Lacrosse fuels the growth, enriches the experience, and fields the best National Teams.

Core Values

• We Influence - Written and Verbal Communication
• We Serve - Customer Focused
• We Create & Innovate - Creativity
• We Collaborate - Peer Relationships
• We are Humble & Honest - Integrity and Trust
• We Embrace Individuality - Diversity
• We Have Fun - Work Hard and Play Hard

If this aligns with who you are and what you are looking for in an organization, keep reading. 

POSITION SUMMARY

USA Lacrosse is looking for an experienced Manager, Prospect Research & Portfolio Development to lead prospect research and portfolio development efforts to help our Foundation team identify, qualify, and engage prospective donors with major giving capacity.  In this critical role you will build and manage the prospect research program, support the donor pipeline and portfolio management, and provide insights and recommendations to help Major Gift Officers make informed, strategic, data-driven, and timely decisions aligned with USA Lacrosse's (USAL) organizational priorities and goals.

Partnering with the VP, Philanthropy, you will refine donor pipeline management practices through prospect identification, market and sector analysis, and data analysis to support portfolio optimization.  This role provides reliable qualitative and quantitative data, trend analysis, and strategic insights to enable the Foundation team to plan effectively, operate efficiently, and advance the mission and goals of USA Lacrosse with diversity, equity, and inclusion embedded in its work.

If you are an analytical thinker who has exceptional attention to detail and enjoys "digging in" and conducting research to help further fundraising efforts and initiatives, keep reading.  This is an exciting time to join a mission-based organization as we prepare to compete in the LA28 Olympics and continue to grow the game of lacrosse, giving access to all who want to pick up a stick. 

A Typical Day Looks Like...

Prospect Research & Identification

• Develops, leads, and executes USA Lacrosse's prospect research strategy to identify, qualify, and recommend prospective donors and funding opportunities to support organizational fundraising priorities and goals.
• Conducts in-depth research on prospective donors, foundations, and other funding sources with major giving capacity using wealth and propensity screening tools, relationship mapping resources, public records, news sources, and other relevant information.
• Identifies new major gift prospects by region, interest area, affinity, capacity, and alignment with USA Lacrosse programs and priorities, and shares leads with the appropriate Foundation team member(s) to support timely engagement and follow-up.
• Synthesizes research into concise, actionable reports, profiles, briefing materials, and recommendations for the VP, Philanthropy, President & CEO, Foundation team, Major Gift Officers, and leadership team as requested.
• Monitors and reports on relevant news, activity, and updates related to Foundation Board members, USA Lacrosse Operating Board members, foundations, major donors, and prospects, escalating timely information as appropriate.
• Serves as a subject matter expert (SME) on current supporters, prospects, and relevant external developments, proactively sharing insights to support USA Lacrosse's fundraising strategy and relationship development.
• Supports the USA Lacrosse Foundation Board and volunteer committee-related research, reporting, and meeting preparation as requested.

Prospect Management

• Partners with the VP, Philanthropy to strengthen prospecting systems, including team-wide protocols, information management practices, work management processes, and standard operating procedures, ensuring appropriate documentation of these practices and processes.
• Supports donor pipeline creation and optimization in partnership with the VP, Philanthropy and SR Manager, Annual Giving, including qualification criteria, landscape analysis, prospect tracking, and movement of qualified prospects through the pipeline.
• Manages portfolio development and optimization practices to support refined, focused, and balanced portfolios that align with USA Lacrosse's fundraising goals and organizational priorities.
• Plans, organizes, and participates in regular prospect review meetings, providing donor insights, strategic recommendations, and portfolio guidance to support campaign development, engagement, cultivation, and solicitation planning.

Prospect Analysis

• Uses analysis tools and practices to identify new prospects, pipeline opportunities, giving trends, and patterns within the prospect pool.
• Translates prospect and donor data into strategic recommendations to help the Foundation team prioritize opportunities, optimize portfolios, and make timely, data-driven decisions.
• Manages and maintains Salesforce reports, dashboards, tracking systems, and lists to monitor fundraising performance, prospect activity, portfolio health, and pipeline progress.
• Supports data accuracy and integrity in Salesforce by maintaining current donor and prospect information and promoting consistent data practices across the Foundation team.
• Serves as the SME on prospect and data analysis, helping USA Lacrosse continually assess, refine, and improve its fundraising practices and processes for stronger organizational performance.

Is This You...

• Three (3) to five (5) years of experience in prospect research, donor intelligence, donor analysis, and/or portfolio development, ideally in a nonprofit, association, or foundation environment.
• Proven ability to research and analyze donor and market data, identify giving trends, and translate findings into actionable fundraising strategy recommendations, including philanthropic landscape/sector analysis to spot emerging donors and funding opportunities.
• Strong working knowledge of fundraising fundamentals, including, but not limited to, donor pipelines, portfolio management, prospect qualification/cultivation/solicitation, and pipeline management (assessing readiness, prioritizing leads, and assigning prospects by capacity, affinity, and timing).
• Experience producing research reports, donor/prospect profiles, briefing materials, and dashboards to communicate pipeline health and fundraising performance to staff and leadership.
• Intermediate to advanced computer skills with working knowledge of Microsoft 365 products, including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint.
• Proficiency with donor database platforms (i.e., Salesforce, Blackbaud, or similar) and prospecting tools (i.e., Windfall, LexisNexis, or comparable platform).
• Working knowledge of AI-assisted tools for research and drafting, including ability to synthesize multi-source findings, summarize 990s and news coverage, and draft profiles/correspondence, ensuring consistent fact-checking before use in donor-facing materials.
• Excellent relationship-building skills with the ability to work collaboratively cross-departmentally and with external stakeholders (i.e., board members, donors, volunteers), with the ability to present a professional presence to represent USA Lacrosse.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task, problem solve, and keep data organized for thorough analysis and reporting while meeting established deadlines and goals.  This includes the ability to manage competing priorities and pivot as needed.
• Excellent communication skills, including interpersonal, written, and verbal with the ability to lead prospect/portfolio review meetings and present complex information in an easy-to-understand manner.
• Abilitytoexercise discretion and understand how tohandle confidential informationwhen necessary.
• Abilityto workbothindependentlyand as part of a collaborative team in a hybrid (in-office/remote work) environmentin a fast-paced, "roll up your sleeves"environmentthat delivers results.
• Willingness to learn about the sport of lacrosse and appreciate the need for developing funds to fuel its development and growth with diversity, equity, and inclusion in mind.
• Ability to align with USA Lacrosse's Mission, Vision, and Values to support our initiatives and organizational goals.

Expected Hours of Work

This position is generally expected to work Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm and occasionally requires longer hours or weekend work as related to events and other business needs.  This is a hybrid position and works from the headquarters office in Sparks, MD three (3) days a week with the flexibility to work from home two (2) days a week. 

Compensation & Benefits Overview

The base pay range for this position is $65,000 to $70,000, commensurate with experience, plus opportunity for annual incentive pay. 

USA Lacrosse offers a competitive benefits package including, but not limited to:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance with multiple options (eligible the first of the month following 30 days of employment).
• Generous company paid Life and AD&D insurance.
• Company paid Long Term Disability (LTD) at one year of employment.
• 403(b) retirement plan (eligible immediately upon hire), including a 4% employer contribution after one year of employment.
• Generous PTO, company paid holidays, bereavement, jury duty, and parental and maternity leave.
• Additional voluntary insurance options, such as supplemental benefits through Colonial and Nationwide pet insurance.
• Discounts on USA Lacrosse merchandise. 
• Free onsite gym at HQ office. 
• Free parking.

Travel Requirements

Travel may be necessary up to 15% of the time (local, regional).  Travel would involve the following mode(s) of travel: car, train, or air.  Some out of area and overnight travel may be expected.   

EEO Statement