About Convergent Research
Convergent Research is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that aims to help fill a structural gap in today’s R&D system. We enable fundamental research, which requires unusual levels of scale and coordination, yet is not rapidly monetizable by industry. We’re bringing together top talent from academia, industry, and startups to build a new model for innovative R&D. As an incubator within the Schmidt Futures Network, we identify high-impact scientific or technical research and development opportunities, ultimately defining and launching these projects as Focused Research Organizations to generate maximum public benefit.
The Position: Philanthropic Coordinator
Works in collaboration with the senior philanthropic advisor, as well as internal and external partners, to ensure all facets of Convergent Research’s fundraising efforts are operating administratively at a high level of accuracy and coordinated efficiency. Opportunity to play a key support role in executing sophisticated fundraising strategies; significant occasion to learn and grow in a positive, fast-paced, hands-on environment.
You are (skills):
- Eager to learn. You’re intellectually curious and enjoy the opportunity to learn new things and solve problems.
- Team player. You enjoy working with colleagues to brainstorm, execute quickly, and create results.
- Effective communicator. You’re an active listener and a good writer who can communicate with internal and external stakeholders in a friendly, direct, and professional manner. Highly organized and good with data. You can prioritize tasks and like keeping data and documents up-to-date, organized, and easy to access. You notice the little things. When something is missing, out-of-place, or incorrect, you make sure it gets addressed before it becomes a problem.
- Tech-savvy. You’re excited by the prospect of helping us figure out how to leverage our new CRM system for maximum productivity. (Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT experience is a plus.)
- Persistent. You speak up if you think you have information that is important and you’re always happy to send follow up emails or jump on a quick call to push something forward that’s stuck. But you do this with a high EQ and always strive to maintain solid interpersonal relationships.
- A great juggler. Startups move at a fast-pace and you are able to change priorities and handle multiple tasks at once with minimal oversight.
You will (duties):
- Manage and maintain both our grant/gift reporting and funder stewardship calendars, updating grant reporting requirements when necessary and strategizing and managing funder stewardship engagement opportunities.
- Assist in the planning, organizing, and execution of stewardship activities (Zoom meetings; lab visits; 1:1 calls; end-of-year funder email updates; etc.).
- Ensure all FRO-based marketing and communication materials used for funder engagement are up-to-date and organized for easy access by all fundraising teammates. (This means working across stakeholders and FRO leaders to assist in the creation of new materials when necessary.)
- Help maintain the CRM system and ensure data accuracy and integrity; enter prospect and funder data, when required, including meeting notes, future tasks, gift receipts, and gift acknowledgments.
- Create a robust and evergreen process for researching and discovering new funding prospects, both individuals and foundations.
- Regularly handle highly confidential materials in a discrete and professional manner and participate in conversations that require high independent judgment and discretion.
- Be a keen observer of our internal processes and enthusiastically seek new ways to contribute operationally and suggest improvements.
- Attend quarterly team meetings. Our team meets on-site for a week once every three months to set goals, collaborate, and participate in fun team building activities.
In three months you will:
- Have integrated into the Convergent Research team and be the administrative backbone of the organization’s fundraising efforts, keeping all trains running on time and ensuring funder data, and FRO materials, is up-to-date, organized, and accessible.
We offer:
- An opportunity to make an impact and work with some of the smartest and the most talented experts from different fields.
- Competitive salary: $65,000 - $90,000 a year (salary commensurate with experience)
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance through a PPO plan; parental leave.
- Generous time off + paid holidays.
- Wellness allowance for fitness and wellness activities.
- Support for remote work.
- Frequent opportunities to spend time with colleagues in person.
We aim to help fill a structural gap in today’s R&D system. We enable fundamental research that requires unusual levels of scale and coordination yet is not rapidly monetizable by industry. We’re bringing together top talent from academia, industry, and startups to build a new model for innovative R&D. As an incubator within the Schmidt Futures Network, we identify high-impact scientific or technical research and development opportunities, ultimately defining and launching these projects as Focused Research Organizations.
We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that proudly pursues and hires a diverse workforce. We do not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal law or company policy. We strive for a healthy and safe workplace and strictly prohibit harassment of any kind.
