JOB SUMMARY

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a non-profit, bipartisan public policy organization established in 1962 to provide strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decision makers concerned with global security and prosperity. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest organizations of its kind, with a staff of some 275 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.

The Deputy Director of Development will serve as the number two person in the department, reporting to the Chief Development Officer. The Deputy will be responsible for stepping into the CDO’s duties when he is traveling, serving as a senior fundraiser on the team, exceling at relations with donors and senior CSIS scholars alike, and managing the development team and the systems, processes, and communications that enable the entire department to function smoothly and strategically. This role is deeply cross-cutting: while grounded within the development team, it requires ongoing coordination with senior leadership, Presidents of Departments, program directors, Finance, and other business operations teams.

This position will be based out of our Washington, D.C. headquarters and is expected to be in-office 5 days/week.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Support CDO’s vision

Step in for CDO when needed (i.e. when CDO is on travel).
Serve as internal center-wide liaison on behalf of CDO with all business operations partners, including engaging with Finance, Department Chiefs of Staff and Vice Presidents, etc.
Advance revenue mobilization vision and strategy as articulated by CDO.
Serve as fundraising partner for strategic engagement teams, specifically the Hess Center and Executive Education, helping them mobilize resources and secure new partners for engagement.
Support prospect identification and cultivation of corporations and Professional Foundations.

Oversee and advance Center-wide fundraising processes

Apportion funds through internal revenue allocation process, and serve as touchpoint for engagement with scholars and programs for this process.
Work with Deputy Director for Corporate Relations, Major Gift Officers, and department leadership to support and shape recommendations ahead of each allocations cycle.
Ensure final allocations are communicated clearly and in a timely manner to the Finance team, with all required documentation.
Track and troubleshoot follow-up questions or discrepancies to ensure continuity and clarity throughout the process.
Oversee other fundraising operations processes, including:
Identification: Support systematic identification of new prospects by maintaining research tools, including new AI systems for prospecting and profile development for larger opportunities.
Research: Oversee prospect and donor research, including capacity assessments, funding histories, alignment analysis, and internal briefings. Ensure research is accurate, timely, and integrated into Salesforce.
Gift Processing: Manage end-to-end gift processing workflows to ensure timely entry, proper coding, prompt acknowledgment generation, and strong coordination with the Finance team. Maintain quality control and resolve discrepancies.
Stewardship: Oversee stewardship touchpoints, including thank-you letters, donor updates, and impact reporting. Lead larger stewardship processes including donor listings in the annual report and online.
Oversee development training:
Oversee and deliver regular development fundraising training courses for program leads across the organization.
Ensure training materials, presentations, and guides are up-to-date and accurately reflect current processes, systems, and organizational standards.
Connect training directly to this role’s oversight of processes, helping program teams understand how development systems function, what is expected of them, and how to navigate workflow effectively.
Serve as a resource for ongoing questions and follow-up after training, reinforcing consistent understanding and application of development procedures.