Development Research Manager (Job ID: 2026-3816)

The Brookings Institution; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Brookings Institution in Washington, DC, is looking for a Development Research Manager to manage and coordinate philanthropic research, supporting fundraising efforts focused on corporate donors.

This hybrid role requires a Bachelor's degree and at least two years of relevant experience in a development setting.

The Manager will work closely with development staff, analyze prospects, and ensure effective communication and strategy implementation to build the giving pipeline.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of two years of experience researching prospects in a development setting.
• Experience in related institutions or familiarity with public policy organizations is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Write prospect profiles, due diligence summaries, and leadership briefings.
• Oversee research components of the event lookbook process.
• Compile and analyze biographical, wealth, and philanthropic information.
• Ensure research activities meet the needs of fundraisers.
• Track suspects and prospects through the pipeline from qualification to cultivation.

Skills

Research proficiency

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Detail-oriented

Ability to work independently

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Development Research Manager

Hybrid role located in Washington, DC. 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

• Write prospect profiles, due diligence summaries, leadership briefings, and other research products; create prospect lists; determine philanthropic capacity, pathways, networks, and interests, working closely with fundraisers.
• Oversee research components of the event lookbook process, coordinating closely with other key development staff as needed.
• Compile and analyze biographical, wealth, and philanthropic information from available resources to identify new prospects for Brookings donor groups, special projects, or core needs support in their portfolio.
• Ensure all suspects, prospects, and donors are researched and assigned capacity ratings using best practice methods, and update ratings regularly.
• Ensure prospect research activities meet the needs of their portfolio of fundraisers in support of their revenue goals.
• Other research projects as needed.
• Work with the development research team on the assignment and tracking of suspects and prospects for their portfolio.
• Track suspects and prospects through the pipeline from qualification to cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Participate in portfolio reviews with frontline fundraisers.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree required; a minimum of two years of experience researching prospects in a development setting. Experience in a related institution and/or familiarity with public policy organizations is highly desirable.

Knowledge and Skills

• Research proficiency and 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.
• 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.

Qualifications

The Development Research Manager conducts, manages, and coordinates philanthropic research for the Institution, responding to research requests from the Office of the President, Vice President and Chief Development Officer (CDO), and other development staff. The role supports fundraising efforts by identifying and evaluating donor and prospect philanthropic interests and capacity, with a focus on corporate donors. The Manager works closely with other development researchers and frontline fundraisers to recommend new prospects and build the giving pipeline. The Manager oversees a portfolio of fundraisers, projects, programs, and funding initiatives requiring research services, and compiles current biographical and financial information for leadership briefings and event lookbooks. The Manager proactively identifies potential prospects within applicable laws and institutional policies and reports to the Director of Development Research.