Director/Senior Director of Development (Job ID: 2023-3177)

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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 Global Economy and Development program at Brookings aims to shape the policy debate on how to improve global economic cooperation and fight global poverty and sources of social stress.   The program’s research agenda is related to policies and trends affecting developing countries including global poverty, universal education, the global middle class, fragile states, globalization, inequality, foreign assistance and development effectiveness. 

Position Location: Most Brookings positions are hybrid, combining regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC, office with the option of at least two days of remote work each week. We will prioritize candidates in or willing to relocate to the DC area for hybrid work, but will also consider remote applicants. Remote work applicants may not work from the following states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. 

Vaccine Policy: Brookings requires all staff  to submit proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19 to be in Brookings buildings.   

Individuals that (i) have a qualifying medical condition that contraindicates a COVID-19 vaccination, or (ii) who object to being vaccinated based on a sincerely held religious belief, may request a reasonable accommodation.  Brookings policies on masks and other pandemic mitigation measures will continue to be informed by DC and CDC guidelines.    

Ready to contribute to Brookings success? 

Reporting to the Vice President and Director (VP) and working as a member of the Global Economy and Development program’s senior management team, the Director/Senior Director is responsible for creating and implementing comprehensive annual and multi-year fundraising efforts in collaboration with the VP, VP of Development, Managing Director, and program scholars, as well as leading a high-performing team. The Senior Director/Director manages, prioritizes, and carries out all Global fundraising activities, including the prospecting, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual, corporate, foundation, government, and other donors and prospects.

Strategic Fundraising and Stewardship (70%)

• Works with the VP, Managing Director, and scholars to create and implement fundraising goals and strategy, which includes raising funds from foundations, corporations, individuals, international organizations, governments, and others. Works with the VP of Development and other senior leaders in Central Development on institutional donors with multiple Brookings affiliations and principal giving prospects in support of Global.
• Oversees and manages all fundraising activity within Global, working closely with scholars and program staff on their priorities, research areas, and fundraising objectives; oversees day-to-day work of Global Development staff.
• Maintains own fundraising portfolio; manages an active pipeline of donors and prospects focused on advancing relationships through the fundraising cycle; and forges independent relationships with scholars to learn and understand their research and scholarly work. 
• Represents Global in meetings with prospects and donors; organizes, manages, and supports follow-up for donor meetings with the VP and scholars.
• With the input of Global scholars, conceptualizes and drafts compelling letters of interest, concept papers, proposals, and reports to ensure high quality, readability, a consistent voice, and adherence to funder guidelines, interests, and agreed-upon deliverables; prepares and monitors catalytic theories of change, performance frameworks, and metrics to evaluate progress toward achieving goals and objectives.
• In collaboration with the VP, recruits and stewards Global Leadership Council (GLC) members, including working to expand GLC membership and Global’s donor base. Oversees preparations and strategy for GLC meetings, conference calls, salon-style events, and other GLC engagements.
• Identifies and qualifies new prospects for general, project, and/or center support; supports the fundraising efforts of the VP, Brookings President, trustees, and other institutional donors as they relate to Global’s goals and strategies in close coordination with Central Development. Prepares correspondence, maintains contact with donors, and conducts follow-up work.
• Maintains understanding of Global economic issues and international development issues and how they may affect and provide fundraising opportunities for Global. Monitors philanthropic trends as they relate generally to Global’s work. Maintains an overview and understanding of research projects within Global, and keeps Central DEV apprised of program priorities and research areas.
• Serves as a senior development officer on the Brookings Development team; manages collaboration with Central Development office and other research programs on the development of joint fundraising strategies, approaches, follow up, and materials; and participates in Central Development Office staff meetings and serves in the Development Cabinet.

Management (30%)

• Manages a high-performing development team, including development of work programs, regular check-in meetings and mentorship, monitors and evaluates performance, establishes ambitious and achievable metrics to grow Global’s fundraising results.
• Oversees the tracking of all existing and potential commitments, including grant reporting requirements and deliverables; works with scholars, finance staff, and Grants Administrators to meet reporting requirements of funders.
• Serves as a member of the senior team of Global and updates team on fundraising activities, including proposals in the pipeline, status of current grants, etc.

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; advanced degree preferred. Candidates must have demonstrated success in raising major gifts of at least $500,000 or more and writing complex proposals for various audiences, including foundations. Team and project management experience, ideally in a nonprofit organization, is required. At the Director-level, a minimum of eight years of experience in fundraising required, and at the Senior Director-level, a minimum of ten years of leadership-level experience in fundraising is required. Senior Director candidates should also have a minimum of six years of internal team management experience. Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Knowledge / Skill Requirments:

Must possess demonstrated commitment to public policy, intellectual curiosity, ability to synthesize complex and abstract concepts; ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines, as well as work well under pressure in a fast-paced, changing environment; initiative, persuasive skills, and an entrepreneurial spirit; discretion and mature judgment; attention to detail; ability to have a big picture vision while still having a willingness to handle all tasks great and small; superior communication/writing skills; and a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Strong team-player, flexibility and a sense of humor, and willingness to share information and work collaboratively.  

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.