Associate Director of Development (Job ID: 2021-2547)

Join one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view, who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance and metropolitan policy.

With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors.

The Office of Development manages the Trustees, institutional partnerships, leadership giving, the International Advisory Council, the Brookings Council, the Brookings Society, and overall fundraising strategies for the Executive Office and Institution at large. 

Please note: This position is based in Brookings' Washington, DC office. In response to COVID-19, Brookings staff are temporarily teleworking. The person hired for this position must be willing to move to or currently reside in Washington DC, Maryland, or Northern Virginia by their date of hire. 

Ready to contribute to Brookings success?

As an essential member of Brookings Central Development’s frontline fundraising team, the Associate Director of Development is responsible for driving the qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for Brookings’s donors and prospects in assigned geographic regions with a focus on raising four-, five-, and six-figure gifts in support of core needs, the Presidential Special Initiatives Fund, and Impact Fund gifts. In addition, the Associate Director will work in partnership with Brookings research program development staff on strategies for prospects who have been identified as having an interest in supporting specific research program initiatives. In close partnership with the supervisor, the Associate Director will develop overall strategy and goals as a member of the Brookings fundraising team. The Associate Director will support the Brookings Council and Society programs, as well as any future engagement program or society, by identifying, recruiting, cultivating and soliciting individuals, corporations, and foundations who could provide financial support for Brookings. With a primary focus on core needs (unrestricted) gifts, the Associate Director’s work will also take a donor-centric approach and refer prospects with interests in Brookings’s research programs to the relevant Development director for further cultivation.

Fundraising (80%)

• Identify, prioritize, cultivate, and solicit prospects and donors capable of making gifts of primarily five- to six-figures. Assess the potential and capacity of existing and prospective donors and use sound judgment to gauge and solicit for four-figure Society/Associates gifts as opportunities present.
• Drive strategy and planning for constituent engagement opportunities in assigned regions both live (as conditions permit) and virtual. Plan, prioritize, and implement efforts to build the Brookings presence and expand the prospect/donor pool in assigned geographic areas.
• Working closely with supervisor, establish and achieve aggressive goals, including metrics for personal dollars raised, solicitations planned/submitted/closed, weekly/monthly visit goals, qualification of new prospects, recruitment of new Council and Society/Associates members, referrals to research programs, etc.
• Conduct 100 or more face-to-face or virtual visits annually.
• Develop and implement general and individualized strategies to move prospects through the cultivation process, engaging them through personal visits, special events, and communications that lead to solicitations.
• Actively qualify new prospects with the potential to become annual and major donors to the Institution. Proactively engage and work with current donors and friends to seek introductions and referrals. Ensure timely follow up to seize opportunities.
• Proactively seek opportunities to strengthen relationships between current and prospective donors and Brookings leadership, scholars, and staff. Identify for Vice President of Development top prospects for Presidential or Board engagement.
• Work with the Vice President of Development and the Director of Board Relations to develop strategies to involve Trustees in regional prospecting and engagement activities.

Internal Strategy and Coordination (10%)

• Partner closely and consistently with colleagues to advance prospect/donor qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, including:
• Associate Director of Donor Engagement and Special Events to cultivate and steward members of the Brookings Council and Society/Associates programs to identify hosts for events and moderators for briefing calls.
• Director of Development Communications on concept notes, proposals, or other written material to advance work with and appropriate and timely stewardship of donors;
• Assistant Director of Development Research to consistently identify and pre-qualify new prospects and to provide information to help gauge informed engagement opportunities and ask amounts;
• Colleagues in Research Program Development to advance a donor-centric approach to fundraising to make referrals to program leadership councils, as appropriate. Coordinate fundraising strategies and prospects across Brookings. Promote a culture of transparency by sharing information with colleagues in the research programs and Brookings Development, Communications, and administrative offices.
• Serve as a key member of the Brookings Central Development office and actively participate in Central Development, All-Development, revenue, and prospect strategy meetings and other meetings as appropriate.

Administration and Data (10%)

• Update status in the moves management and solicitation management cycle on a weekly basis with Development Coordinator. Ensure weekly filing and dissemination of visit and call reports. Ensure that prospect and donor records are updated in Raiser’s Edge in a timely manner with appropriate contact information.
• Responsibly manage travel budget in accordance with established protocols using good judgment.

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications:

Education/Experience Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree required. Minimum of six years of development experience. Demonstrated track record of successfully identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and stewarding donors, and soliciting and closing four-, five-, and six-figure gifts and designing and advancing strategies for major gifts. Extensive travel is required. Experience with Raiser’s Edge or similar fundraising database is preferred. Public policy interest and experience preferred. Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Knowledge/Skills Requirements:

Proactive, self-starting and goal oriented. Excellent interpersonal skills; strong written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with and gain the respect and support of various constituencies, including other staff, board members, scholars and donors.  Must demonstrate initiative, strong attention to detail, timeliness, discretion, mature judgment, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Must be flexible, diplomatic, positive, and a collaborative, able to work in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Information:

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings.

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply. Please note: if you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening you should add a position-specific cover letter as a separate attachment.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings.

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.