Development Coordinator, Executive Trustee

The Opportunity

The Urban Institute’s Development Department fosters a truly collaborative environment while strengthening funding partnerships that sustain its relevance in a changing world. Urban’s Development Department seeks a highly motivated professional to serve as a Development Coordinator (Executive Office Fundraising). Reporting to a Senior Manager on the Development team, the Development Coordinator will play a key role in supporting executive‑level fundraising and engagement across Urban’s Development function.

This position works closely with senior leadership and trustees to coordinate and execute high‑impact engagement strategies with funders, with a focus on strengthening relationships, advancing cultivation and stewardship efforts, and ensuring thoughtful follow‑through. Through strong internal coordination and attention to detail, the Development Coordinator will help enable effective leadership and trustee engagement, contributing to the growth of Urban’s philanthropic partnerships and the overall strength of its Development efforts.

This is a unique opportunity to support and shape a critical area of fundraising at one of the nation’s leading research and policy organizations.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of strategies to identify, cultivate, and steward philanthropic funders with a focus on executive‑ and trustee‑led engagement.
• Work closely with Development and Executive Office colleagues to coordinate funder communications, including outreach and follow‑up.
• Prepare high‑quality briefings, strategy memos, and background materials to equip senior leadership and trustees for meetings, events, and external engagements.
• Conduct targeted research on prospective funders to identify alignment with Urban’s priorities and inform engagement strategies.
• Track and manage funder interactions in the CRM and related systems, ensuring accurate, timely documentation of meetings, communications, and next steps.
• Coordinate internal information flow by synthesizing and sharing updates on fundraising activity across Development, Executive Office, and relevant program teams.
• Support planning and execution of trustee and executive engagement opportunities, including small group convenings, events, and donor trips.
• Provide cross‑team coordination and operational support to ensure alignment across Development efforts, including donor tracking, reporting, and event logistics as needed.

This position requires outstanding communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills as well as technological competence. The ideal candidate will have a strong sense of initiative and possess sound judgment, a sense of discretion and unfaltering personal integrity.

• Possess a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience needed to perform the development coordinator job duties), plus 1‑2 years’ experience, ideally with fundraising, nonprofit development, or advancement services work or relevant internship or volunteer experience.
• Demonstrate strong collaboration skills, with a genuine interest in supporting colleagues and learning from others.
• Exhibit strong oral and written communication skills, proven organizational skills, and attention to detail. Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), databases, online research tools, project management tools, and other information technology, including Salesforce, a plus, but not required.
• Work and make decisions autonomously and solve problems effectively and creatively.
• Display an interest in public policy and Urban Institute’s mission.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to professional ethics in working with highly confidential, sensitive information.
• Effectively manage competing responsibilities and adapt to quickly changing priorities and deadlines.

• Resume
• Cover letter

• Initial interviews with human resources and hiring manager
• Panel interview with a small group of Urban team members (if selected to proceed)
• Final interview with the Chief Business Development Officer

Note:

Candid…