Director, Development Research (Job ID: 2025-3703)

Overview

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 fundraising across the institution. Focused on a constituency based fundraising model, our team works directly with the research programs and executive office to set an overarching fundraising strategy that supports the important work of our scholars.

In Brookings Development, we aim to: 

• Build and nurture relationships with donors and prospects to raise critical financial resources in support of the institution’s fiscal health and to advance the mission of Brookings.  
• Safeguard Brookings’s institutional values of Quality, Independence, and Impact. 
• Amplify the impact of our scholars’ research and steward our donors’ generosity with compelling and innovative programming for our donor groups. 
• Support our Board of Trustees in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities to protect and sustain the institution. 
• Partner closely with our colleagues across Brookings by providing best in class fundraising and fundraising operations to benefit all research programs. 
• In everything we do, strive for excellence, act with integrity, communicate with honesty, show respect and collegiality, be proactive, collaborative, creative, and solutions oriented. 

Position Location: This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with the option of at least two days of remote work each week.

Responsibilities

Ready to contribute to Brookings Success?The Director of Development Research (Director) leads the Development Research team, supervises three researchers, and conducts, manages, and coordinates philanthropic research for the Institution.  

Leadership of prospect identification and research includes the design, planning, and implementation of strategic data-driven identification of prospective donors, the execution of dynamic wealth and propensity reviews, and the development of operational plans to support fundraising at Brookings. The Director leads the team’s due diligence research efforts, guiding research methodology and deliverables, as well as oversight for the intake, tracking, and notification processes. The Director sets strategic goals for the research operation, including annual quantitative and qualitative goals for the program, team, and individuals. Specifically developing short and long-term goals for a comprehensive prospect identification and wealth review program, lead and mentor staff and development of individual work plans and evaluating individual and team performance through established metrics and peer benchmarks.  

The Director will design and implement departmental policies and procedures and will serve as an expert resource for prospect information, prospect strategy, and wealth analysis for the division. In a continuous effort to pursue a best-in-class operation, the Director will be an active member of the fundraising community and will remain informed of industry standards, best practices, and current and emerging trends by engaging peers, interacting with other industry professionals, and demonstrating a commitment to continuous growth and improvement.  

A successful Director will be a values-based leader and curious innovator who will foster a culture of belonging that embraces all people and perspectives. Reports to the Senior Director of Development Services.

Development Research Team Leadership and Strategy (50%)

• Manages the Associate Director of Development Research, Assistant Director of Development Research and the Development Research Manager.
• Sets the strategy for the Development Research team in close coordination with frontline fundraisers and Senior Director of Development Services.
• Remains informed of industry standards and trends to produce cutting edge prospect research.
• Sets strategic goals for development research team
• Regularly reviews prospect research policies, guidelines, and training materials to ensure best practice; updates policies accordingly.
• With the Managing Director of Development Services and Office of General Counsel, manages the donor due diligence process. 

Prospect Identification and Research (50%)

• Develops research profiles, creates prospect lists, determines philanthropic capacity, pathways, networks, and interests, working closely with fundraisers
• Compiles and analyzes biographical, wealth, and philanthropic information from all available resources to identify new prospects for Brookings donor groups, special projects, or core needs support for the programs in her/his portfolio
• Ensures that all suspects, prospects, and donors are researched and assigned capacity ratings using best practice methods and those ratings are updated regularly
• Ensures that prospect research activities meet the needs of her/his portfolio of fundraisers in support of their individual, corporate, and foundation revenue goals
• Works with the AD and the Director of Board Relations on prospective Trustee materials and research for the Nominations and Governance Committee
• Plans and organizes regular meetings with the fundraising team in her/his portfolio to assign prospects; monitors timely movement through the pipeline; develops and enhances strategies in close partnership with fundraisers to convert prospects to donors
• Works with the Development Research Team on the assignment and tracking of suspects and prospects
• Tracks suspects and prospects as they are moved through the pipeline from qualification to cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Ensures that prospect research data is accurate and entered into Raiser’s Edge NXT in a timely fashion

Qualifications

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; a minimum of five years of experience researching prospects in a development setting. Experience managing a team of prospect researchers required. Experience in a related institution and/or familiarity with public policy organizations is highly desirable.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements

Research proficiency, including solid knowledge of research and media resources. Strong analytical and evaluative skills with attention to detail. Ability to extract information from a database and organize, analyze, and present it in Microsoft Excel or other formats for optimal utility. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and submit work products accurately and quickly. Capacity to exercise independent initiative and judgment. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Self-starter with a demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately.

Additional Information 

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous time off, and workplace flexibility. For more information, please visit Brookings Benefits.   

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, including diversity of experience, thought, and personal background.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, 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. All selection decisions are based upon merit, skills, abilities and experience.

Please Note: Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.