Office of Advancement Career Opportunities

Come join a dedicated and creative team at an exceptional time for the Smithsonian, an institution with a bold vision for the future: to build a better tomorrow for all. Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III and the institution’s leadership are launching a campaign to support this vision. The Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future will secure funds for all Smithsonian museums and centers as the institution reimagines its mission to find solutions for collective challenges in a rapidly changing world. The campaign will provide a foundation for critical research to ensure people and nature thrive together, build unparalleled education programs with families and partners, collect the world’s most precious objects, document the present while reflecting on the past, and reimagine the visitor experience both in-person and online. We are bringing the Smithsonian off the National Mall and across the country through dynamic programming and affiliate partnerships, creating access for all. The Smithsonian is also developing two new museums—the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum. These museums will share the experiences and perspectives of Latinos and women across history and deepen our shared understanding of what it means to be American.

The Anacostia Community Museum was established by the Smithsonian Institution in September 1967 as the Anacostia Neighborhood Museum in Southeast Washington, D.C. It shares the untold and often overlooked stories of communities furthest from justice in the greater Washington, D.C. region. In celebrating stories of resiliency, joy, and strength, the museum inspires those who visit to translate their ideas into action. The Smithsonian’s Center for Environmental Justice at the Anacostia Community Museum launched on Earth Day 2023 and seeks to create a future in which environmentalism is a cornerstone of civic engagement through which residents contribute to the development of healthy, equitable communities. The Center encourages a humanities-led framework that places traditional scientific research and data in the context of daily life.

Key Responsibilities
The Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum seeks an experienced, dynamic, front-line fundraiser to assume the role of Assistant Director of Advancement. Working closely with the Director of External Affairs, the Assistant Director oversees all fundraising at the Museum, including foundation grants, major gifts, annual fund, and cultivation events. The incumbent manages relationships with current and prospective donors, including identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors. Regular interaction with donors and prospects is expected, and direct, independent solicitation of gifts from individual and institutional donors is a central aspect of the position. The Assistant Director develops and manages activity for the portfolio of prospects ranging from major gifts to principal gifts and seeks opportunities to expand the portfolio and increase giving from current donors. The incumbent oversees and fully participates in all Advisory Board activities. The incumbent reports to the Director of External Affairs and supervises one gift officer.

Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise
Successful applicants will have a minimum of five years of successful experience in fundraising with increasing level of responsibility preferably in a museum or community-based non-profit setting. A demonstrated track record of building long-term donor relationships and closing 5-7 figure gifts. Strong organizational, relationship, collaboration, communication, project management, and supervisory skills as well as the ability to work independently are essential. A demonstrated understanding of and dedication to the mission of the Anacostia Community Museum should be included with the application. A bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree is highly desirable. Travel is required and work during the evening and weekends may be necessary.

Applicants who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

Any false statement in your application may result in your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins.

Application Instructions
The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery." Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter using this link by June 7, 2024. Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week. Relocation expenses are not paid.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact oastaffing@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: www.si.edu/oeema

Come join a dedicated and creative team at an exceptional time for the Smithsonian, an institution with a bold vision for the future: to build a better tomorrow for all. Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III and the institution’s leadership are launching a campaign to support this vision. The Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future will secure funds for all Smithsonian museums and centers as the institution reimagines its mission to find solutions for collective challenges in a rapidly changing world. The campaign will provide a foundation for critical research to ensure people and nature thrive together, build unparalleled education programs with families and partners, collect the world’s most precious objects, document the present while reflecting on the past, and reimagine the visitor experience both in-person and online. We are bringing the Smithsonian off the National Mall and across the country through dynamic programming and affiliate partnerships, creating access for all. The Smithsonian is also developing two new museums—the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum. These museums will share the experiences and perspectives of Latinos and women across history and deepen our shared understanding of what it means to be American.

The Office of Advancement oversees and guides the fundraising efforts of the entire Smithsonian and is home to the central advancement organization for the Institution. In addition to raising significant support for a variety of Smithsonian initiatives, the Office of Advancement provides support services to advancement offices across the Institution. The office engages with staff throughout the Smithsonian in accomplishing their goals.

Key Responsibilities
The Smithsonian’s Office of Advancement seeks an enthusiastic and detailed-focused Advancement Associate to provide support to the Principal and Planned Giving team. The incumbent provides technical and administrative support and will assist with a full range of advancement functions including drafting documents and presentations, conducting donor research, implementing various appeal campaigns, assisting with donor events and board meetings, organizing travel, and other related administrative tasks. The position will support both the Principal Gifts and Planned Gifts sides of the newly combined team.

Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise
Qualified candidates will successfully demonstrate strong communications skills, the ability to work efficiently and thoughtfully with numerous stakeholders, exceptional discretion and organization, an ability to successfully manage multiple deadlines, resourcefulness, and a thirst for learning. Experience in a large, complex non-profit organization and/or experience working with high-level donors or executives is preferred.

Applicants who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

Any false statement in your application may result in your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins.

Application Instructions
The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery." Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter using this link by June 7, 2024. Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week. Relocation expenses are not paid.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact oastaffing@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: www.si.edu/oeema.

Come join a team of dedicated staff at an exceptional time in the Smithsonian’s history as we prepare for the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future. This ambitious fundraising campaign’s public phase will run from 2024 to 2026, culminating with the nation’s 250th anniversary. It will expand the Smithsonian’s reach and impact, empowering the institution to find solutions to today’s most pressing challenges. The Smithsonian is also planning two exciting new museums. The National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum share the experiences and perspectives of Latinos and women across history and deepen our shared understanding of what it means to be an American. The Smithsonian has built a model fundraising organization, driven by talented staff across our many museums, research centers and cultural centers. This position offers exciting opportunities for the successful candidate to make a significant impact on the future of the Smithsonian. There is no better time to join this amazing Institution.

The Office of Advancement oversees and guides the fundraising efforts of the entire Smithsonian and is home to the central development organization for the Institution. In addition to raising significant support for a variety of Smithsonian initiatives, the Office of Advancement provides support services to advancement offices across the Institution. The office engages with staff throughout the Smithsonian in accomplishing their goals.

Key Responsibilities
The Prospect Management Specialist works in the Office of Advancement for the Smithsonian Institution and serves as a partner to gift officers by performing portfolio reviews that build and sustain portfolio health and strategic prospect movement, used for achieving fundraising goals, and effective use of pipeline and portfolio management best practices. They are responsible for providing prospect/pipeline reporting, along with analysis, and insights to deliver actionable intelligence to leadership that will inform decision making. They will exercise independent initiative and employ a data-driven lens to provide thoughtful, insights and recommendations supporting fundraiser activity, provide onboarding and offboarding services, and guidance in setting fiscal year goals. They will continuously conduct pipeline analysis to discover trends, insights, and gaps among prospect pools, portfolios, and donor segments to provide insight into the strength of prospect pools in terms of giving capacity, engagement, and readiness for cultivation and solicitation. They will help enrich and streamline cultivation and solicitation reporting and fundraiser metric tracking to achieve a best-in-class prospect management program. This position is the embodiment of how art and science are combined to achieve fundraising success.

Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise
Qualified candidates will successfully demonstrate strong communications skills and able to interact effectively with diverse individuals in an inclusive environment; demonstrate professionalism and have a strong customer service orientation; an ability to successfully manage multiple deadlines; superior organization skills; and a demonstrated ability to work independently and/or in a close team environment. The incumbent will be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and a high degree of integrity; must be precise, diplomatic, dedicated, and mature as well as flexible and able to work well under pressure. Proficient computer and software skills should be demonstrated in MS Office applications such as Excel and Word, as well as ability in cloud-based systems such as Salesforce. Able to train/coach fundraising staff on complex concepts and business practices; compile, report, and analyze information from diverse sources; to understand problems from a broad, interactive perspective and conceive strategic solutions; to maintain confidentiality and use good judgement when working with sensitive information.

A minimum of three-years of experience in performing fundraising prospect management and a bachelor’s degree are required. Experience as a fundraiser who managed their own portfolio; and/or have worked in a large, complex non-profit organization is desired.

Applicants who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States, must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

Any false statement in your application may result in your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins.

Benefits and Application Instructions
The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery." Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter to this link by June 28, 2024. Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week. Relocation expenses are not paid. This position is a temporary position funded through September 2026. This is an excellent opportunity to join Smithsonian Advancement, demonstrate your talents and abilities, learn, and grow, with potential for a permanent position.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact oastaffing@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: www.si.edu/oeema.