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 Assistant, Special Events (Assistant) plays a key role in supporting the planning and execution of Development-led events. This position requires a proactive, detail-oriented individual who can manage multiple assignments, take initiative, problem-solve, and anticipate team needs, all while maintaining a strong commitment to the mission of the Brookings Institution. Core responsibilities include ensuring the integrity and accuracy of all event data, managing event supplies and preparation, staffing events as required and providing essential administrative support. The ideal candidate is a collaborative team player eager to contribute to a high-performing development team.

Data Management and Event Support (80%)

Ensure data integrity for the team; maintain the records of donors and prospects in Raiser’s Edge NXT (NXT) related to all development events.
Serve as the team's expert for Raisers’ Edge NXT, maximizing functionality and identifying efficiency opportunities to enhance the special events team’s operations.
Maintain event lists for accuracy.
Working closely with the Director, assists with the planning, preparation, and staffing of live and virtual events, including Board and International Advisory Council meetings, donor group events, study tours, and other special events throughout the year.
Assist with event planning documents (show flows, contact sheets, etc.) as necessary.
Maintain the special events team’s SharePoint filing system to ensure accurate and up-to-date records.
Manage event supply inventory and prepare event materials for all events (i.e. name tags and other printed materials).
Assist with the creation and execution of Zoom events as needed.
Assist with day-of event execution.

Administrative Support (20%)

Provide administrative support, including meeting scheduling, travel arrangements, and expense reports.
Organize and participate in team meetings, create agendas, and track activities for discussion as needed.
Facilitates travel logistics (including air, train, hotel, ground transport); prepares travel expense forms; manages internal reporting for P-card transactions.
Perform other duties as assigned.

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 or an equivalent combination of education and experience required. Excellent communication, database and spreadsheet skills, including the ability to enter and manipulate data. Interest in global issues and familiarity with fundraising in a non-profit environment is preferred. Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Knowledge/Skills Requirements

Excellent interpersonal, organizational, administrative, and communication skills required. Must be attentive to detail, proactive, discreet and dependable. Must be able to exercise good judgment, take initiative, function independently and work in close cooperation with others. Must be able to coordinate a variety of tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, meet deadlines and consistently follow up on details. Must be a positive team player, show professional demeanor and attire, and communicate clearly and politely in person and on the phone. Knowledge of Microsoft Office and the capacity to quickly learn other types of software, including Raiser’s Edge is required. Excellent grammar, spelling, proofreading, and editing skills, and the ability to research information and compile it into a concise briefing.

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.

The Brookings Institution

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Assistant, Special Events (Job ID: 2025-3764)

Assistant, Special Events (Job ID: 2025-3764)