Office of Advancement Career Opportunities

Join a team of fundraising professionals across the Institution working to chart the future of the Smithsonian.

Resumes are only accepted in applications for listed positions. Please send a cover letter and resume to oastaffing@si.edu. Specify the position title for which you are applying in the subject line.

Looking for an internship? View open internships with the Office of Advancement.

Open Positions

Gift Officer, Anacostia Community Museum | Grade: 12 | Location: Washington, DC | Open to All | Closing: May 31

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.

About the Gift Officer
The Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum seeks an experienced, dynamic, front-line fundraiser to assume the role of Gift Officer. Duties include expanding the Museum’s donor community across the country; creating and implementing innovative strategies for securing major gifts; managing a portfolio of 125 prospects; organizing cultivation events; and preparing proposals and other donor communications.

The successful applicant will have a minimum of three years of fundraising experience. They must also possess strong leadership and communications skills, and a track record in building philanthropic relationships with corporate prospects and donors to achieve aggressive fundraising goals. Progressive fundraising experience, experience with diverse constituents, a drive to succeed, grant proposal writing, and ability to close major gifts should be demonstrated in your application. Candidates must have strong organizational skills and the initiative and ability to work independently, and a mature and professional demeanor. Experience with complex higher education or a large cultural organization is preferred. The position is based in Washington, DC, and reports to the Director of Advancement. Travel of up to 20% of the time is required.

About the Anacostia Community Museum and Smithsonian Institution
The Anacostia Community Museum (ACM) was established by the Smithsonian Institution in September 1967 as the Anacostia Neighborhood Museum in Southeast Washington, D.C. Its vision is to challenge perceptions, generate new knowledge, and deepen understanding about the ever-changing concepts and realities of communities. The Museum’s mission explores social issues impacting diverse populations in the DC Metropolitan area to promote mutual understanding and strengthen community bonds through the development of collections, exhibitions, research, education and public programs. ACM collects artifacts, works of art, photographs, documents and paper records, and audiovisual media.

The Smithsonian Institution is a unique complex of 22 museums and galleries, the National Zoo, and eight research centers. The Smithsonian is a national and world treasure and is dedicated to its founding mission, “the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” Its exhibitions, programs, collections, and outreach touch the lives of millions of Americans every year, as well as many who visit us from abroad.

Benefits Information and Application Instructions
The Smithsonian Institution offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive package of benefits. This is not a federal position but has similar requirements and benefits. This position is a temporary position funded through September 2027. This is an excellent opportunity to join Smithsonian Advancement, demonstrate your talents and abilities, learn, and grow, with potential for a permanent position. Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter to oastaffing@si.edu by May 31, 2023. Please include the position title in your e-mail subject line. 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); average number of hours worked per week; and salary requirements.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
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.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact the Human Resources Specialist listed. 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.

IT Specialist, Desktop Support, Office of Advancement | Grade: 12 | Location: Washington, DC | Open to All | Closing: May 31

Come join a team of dedicated staff at an exceptional time in Smithsonian history, as the Institution 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.

About the IT Specialist, Desktop Support
The Smithsonian Institution’s Advancement Technology Services department seeks an Information Technology Specialist to provide desktop services to OA staff, contractors, volunteers, and interns. This position serves as an important and integral member of the team, providing valuable service to every member of the Office of Advancement team, and will appeal to applicants that are technologists with strong technical and interpersonal skills that thrive in a fast-paced environment.

This position performs the following activities:

Configures and deploys desktop and laptop computer systems in a Microsoft Active Directory networked environment using established SI standard baseline configurations.
Creates OA user network and email accounts using the Microsoft Active Directory Users and Groups administration tool.
Troubleshoots, diagnoses, upgrades, and resolves problems with desktop and laptop systems, peripherals, and mobile devices.
Purchases, installs, configures, troubleshoots, and maintains SI-approved software including operating system, application, email, and network client.
Ensures OA staff has access to required computing resources including hardware, software, and connectivity onsite and offsite in support of regular work and special events.
Participates in large projects (e.g., drive migrations, software updates, group policy updates)

Qualified candidates will have:

Certifications such as Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE), Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA), Microsoft 365 Fundamentals, Apple Deployment and Management, or CompTIA preferred
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field preferred
Proven ability as a customer-oriented problem solver in desktop and network support with 2-4 years of customer support experience
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in written and oral formats and quickly respond to emerging issues and provide effective solutions
Expertise with Microsoft and Apple operating systems and application software
Experience with administration and delivery of SharePoint sites for a variety of use cases
Experience with a wide range of external peripheral devices including personal and network printers, scanners, copiers, video conferencing equipment, tablets, phones, etc.
Excellent communications skills; specifically the ability to explain technical issues and solutions in layman’s terms.

About the Office of Advancement and Smithsonian 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.

Benefits and Application Instructions
The Smithsonian Institution offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive package of benefits. This is not a federal position but has similar requirements and benefits. Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter to oastaffing@si.edu by May 31, 2023. Please include the position title in your e-mail subject line. 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.

Gift Officer, National Museum of Asian Art | Grade: 12 | Location: Washington, DC | Open to All | Closing: June 2

About the Gift Officer
The National Museum of Asian Art seeks an experienced and dynamic Gift Officer. This is an exceptional opportunity for an energetic professional with strong frontline fundraising skills to join a diverse, collegial, and successful advancement team that is responsible for raising support from individuals, foundations, and corporations. The incumbent will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting prospects; creating compelling and persuasive proposals; managing stewardship of donors including Board members; and preparing other donor communications.

The successful applicant will possess strong leadership and communications skills, and a track record in building philanthropic relationships with individual, corporate and foundation prospects, and donors to achieve aggressive fundraising goals. Progressive fundraising experience, experience with diverse constituents, a drive to succeed, and ability to close major gifts should be demonstrated in your application. Applicants with board management experience preferred. Applicants must have strong organizational and communication skills, and the initiative and ability to work independently. Experience working in a complex higher education, or a large cultural organization is preferred.

About the National Museum of Asian Art and the Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, which holds extraordinary collections of Asian art and American art of the late nineteenth-century aesthetic movement, is devoted to fostering the understanding Asian art and culture through onsite and online exhibitions, public programming, and scholarly research.

Benefits and Application Instructions
The Smithsonian Institution offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive package of benefits. This is not a federal position but has similar requirements and benefits. Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter to oastaffing@si.edu by June 2, 2023. Please include the position title in your e-mail subject line. 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.

Institutional Gift Officer, National Museum of Asian Art | Grade: 13 | Location: Washington, DC | Open to All | Closing: June 2

About the Institutional Gift Officer
The National Museum of Asian Art seeks an experienced and dynamic Institutional Gift Officer who has experience with foundation and corporate fundraising. This is an exceptional opportunity for an energetic professional with strong frontline fundraising skills to play an important role in building private support for public programs, exhibitions, educational and outreach activities, and endowment needs of the Museum. The incumbent will be responsible for prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship activities for foundation and corporations. The incumbent is responsible for providing a high level of support for the museum’s top-level prospects and donors and managing a portfolio of institutional prospects. The Gift Officer will work creatively to match donor interest with unit priorities, develop funding proposals and negotiate complex gifts.

The successful candidate will possess strong leadership and communications skills, and a track record in building relationships across a spectrum of foundation and corporate donors. Progressive fundraising experience, experience with diverse constituents, and ability to close major gifts should be demonstrated in your application. This position requires knowledge of and experience with writing proposals and reports, preparing complex budgets and grant management. Candidates must have strong organizational and communication skills, and the initiative and ability to work independently. Experience in a complex higher education or a large cultural organization is preferred. The position is based in Washington, DC, and reports to the Chief Advancement Officer. Occasional weekend and evening work may be required. Travel is required up to 10% of the time.

Benefits and Application Instructions
The Smithsonian Institution offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive package of benefits. This is not a federal position but has similar requirements and benefits. Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter to oastaffing@si.edu by June 2, 2023. Please include the position title in your e-mail subject line. 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.

Advancement Specialist (Smithsonian Corporate Membership Program), Office of Advancement | Grade: 11 | Location: Washington, DC | Open to All | Closing: June 8

About the Advancement Specialist
The Smithsonian’s Office of Advancement seeks an experienced and creative Advancement Specialist to manage the fundraising activities for the Smithsonian Corporate Membership Program (SCMP). The Advancement Specialist is responsible for the following activities:

Establishes strong relationships with current and prospective SCMP members to drive renewals/acquisitions and deepen engagement with the Smithsonian.
Delivers stewardship and benefits for existing members (i.e. arranging private tours, event rentals and employee engagement), often developed and executed in collaboration with unit colleagues.
Generates SCMP prospect lists and leads solicitation outreach, calls, and meetings.
Manages renewal and revenue processing for SCMP dues.
Monitors SCMP program budgets and reporting.
Develops program marketing materials, proposals and stewardship reports.
Works with unit advancement staff on strategies to cultivate SCMP members for unit-based sponsorships and expand member engagement across the Institution.
Plans and coordinates SCMP member events and activities
Provides general administrative support

Qualified candidates will successfully demonstrate strong communications skills and customer-service orientation, an ability to successfully manage multiple deadlines, superior organization skills, and a thirst for learning. Experience working with external funders in a large, complex non-profit organization and/or development department preferred.

About the Office of Advancement and Smithsonian Institution
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.

Benefits Information and Application Instructions
The Smithsonian Institution offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive package of benefits. This is not a federal position but has similar requirements and benefits. Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter to oastaffing@si.edu by June 8, 2023. Please include the position title in your e-mail subject line. 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); average number of hours worked per week; and salary requirements.

Major Gifts Officer, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center | Grade: 13 | Location: Washington, DC | Open to All | Closing: June 9

The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (APAC) is seeking an accomplished advancement professional to join our team at a moment of pivotal growth. APAC was established in 1997 as a mission-critical initiative to further the inclusion of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities across the Smithsonian's collections, research, exhibitions, and programs. More than 24 million Americans in the U.S. trace their roots to more than 20 countries in East and Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. In less than 50 years, nearly one of every ten people in America will trace their heritage to Asia and the Pacific. Only when AANHPI stories are told is our understanding of America and America’s standing in the world more accurate, more compelling, and more powerful.

Having celebrated its 25th year in 2022, APAC is continuing its mission of amplifying AANHPI voices at the Smithsonian by creating new spaces for storytelling on the National Mall in Washington, DC. This period of significant and fast-paced transformation will shift APAC’s mostly virtual presence into more physical and enduring spaces, culminating in a dedicated gallery on the Mall—slated to open in 2030—where community members and visitors can learn how AANPHIs have contributed to the American experience and America’s position in the world.

The incumbent will expand upon existing structures to build a robust network of donors, stakeholders, and supporters to help realize the unit’s ambitious mission. This position will organizationally be referred to as Director of Advancement and will lead APAC’s advancement efforts at this critical moment. This position is based in Washington, DC.

About the Major Gifts Officer
The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center seeks to hire an accomplished Major Gifts Officer with proven fundraising experience to build and manage a portfolio of prospects and donors to execute a fundraising program focused on high capacity giving. The Major Gifts Officer will secure contributions from individuals, foundations, corporations, and other organizations by discovering and cultivating a productive relationship with prospective donors; presenting opportunities for giving through solicitation efforts; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with individual donors and prospects; helping to steward board members and their networks; and helping to craft and implement a multi-year fundraising plan.

The position reports to the Director of the Asian Pacific American Center and coordinates closely with the Director of Major Gifts and Discovery from the Office of Advancement. This reporting structure provides an awareness of APAC’s priorities and goals across the Institution’s broader advancement community. The incumbent works closely with the Office of Advancement to coordinate with colleagues as appropriate on matters relating to proposals, gift agreements, budgets and reporting, and other policy and process areas. The Major Gifts Officer supervises one administrative support staff who will help to craft and implement a multi-year fundraising plan for APAC.

A minimum of four years of fundraising experience preferably in complex higher education or a large cultural or environmental organization is necessary. A proven success in securing significant contributions through creative discovery and cultivation of productive relationships with prospective donors should be demonstrated in your application. Strong organizational, relationship, collaboration, and communication skills as well as the ability to work independently are essential. The successful candidate will have a passion for learning and exploration, and the desire to join a dynamic and growing operation. Experience working with Asian Pacific American donors or organizations and/or a familiarity with topics and issues related to Asian Pacific Americans is preferred but not required. Travel is required and work during the evenings and weekends may be necessary.

About the Office of Advancement and Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution Office of Advancement, which leads fundraising activities for the Institution, is preparing to launch 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.

Benefits and Application Instructions
The Smithsonian Institution offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive package of benefits. This is not a federal position but has similar requirements and benefits. Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter to oastaffing@si.edu by June 9, 2023. Please include the position title in your e-mail subject line. 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.

Advancement Communications Specialist, National Portrait Gallery | Grade: 11 | Location: Washington, DC | Open to All | Closing: June 16

About the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian Institution
The National Portrait Gallery was authorized and founded by Congress in 1962 with the mission to acquire and display portraits of "men and women who have made significant contributions to the history, development, and culture of the people of the United States." Today, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery attracts over 2 million visitors onsite and 4 million online and continues to narrate the multi-faceted and ever-changing story of America through the individuals who have shaped its culture. Through the visual arts, performing arts, and new media, the Portrait Gallery presents poets and presidents, visionaries and villains, actors, and activists whose lives form our national identity.

About the Advancement Communications Specialist
The National Portrait Gallery is seeking a talented writer with an exceptional eye for design and branding to serve as principal writer. This role will provide editorial assistance for a wide variety of communications that focus on donor engagement, solicitation, and stewardship for different donor audiences. This position reports to the Commission Liaison and Campaign Manager. Occasional work during the evenings and weekends may be necessary.

Duties:

Research, write, and design materials in support of fundraising priorities, managing them from inception through delivery
In collaboration with gift officers, develop and execute funding proposals, stewardship plans for major donors, endowment reports (both narrative and financial), case statements, and project summaries (including budgets)
Partnering with members of the Advancement team and other museum staff, develop letters on behalf of the Director, event invitations, remarks for events, briefings, brochures, presentations, and website content updates
Maintain a clear understanding of advancement goals, strategies, and communications and articulate this information appropriate and effectively
Independently incorporate changes, comments, and critiques from multiple reviewers using exceptional writing and editing skills
Manage multiple projects simultaneously, and turn around projects on tight deadlines

Successful candidates will have:

Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Communications, English, Writing, or Design
Experience developing compelling stories, case statements, and/or written materials in support of fundraising
Superior communication skills, both oral and written
An exceptional eye for detail and design
Ability to easily change writing styles to fit the author, audience, and voice of the piece
Ability to translate complex ideas into language easily comprehensible to non-specialists
Ability to take ownership of projects and work with minimal direction and supervision
Knowledge of fundraising strategies, principles, and techniques is strongly preferred
Understanding of and dedication to the mission of the National Portrait Gallery

Benefits Information and Application Instructions
The Smithsonian Institution offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive package of benefits. This is not a federal position but has similar requirements and benefits. Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter to oastaffing@si.edu by June 16, 2023. Please include the position title in your e-mail subject line. 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); average number of hours worked per week; and salary requirements.

Digital Transformation Gift Officer, Office of Advancement | Grade: 14 | Location: Washington, DC | Open to All | Closing: June 30

About the Gift Officer
The Institutional Advancement team within the Office of Advancement seeks a creative and energetic relationship builder with a demonstrated record of success with individual, corporate, and foundation fundraising to join its successful advancement team. This position will work with the Office of Advancement and the Office of Digital Transformation leadership to cultivate philanthropic support and strategic partners for this institution-wide effort. In addition, it will lead the fundraising strategy for digital initiatives which may include improving the accessibility and discoverability of Smithsonian content, data intelligence, audience engagement, online experiences, research computing, and/or open knowledge, in partnership with other Advancement and digital teams. This is an exceptional opportunity for a professional with strong frontline fundraising skills to play an important role in building private support for the digital transformation priorities of the Institution. Duties include identifying, cultivating, and soliciting individual, corporate, and foundation prospects; creating compelling and persuasive proposals; managing stewardship of donors; and negotiating complex cash and in-kind gifts.

The successful candidate is required to have a minimum of six years of fundraising experience. They must also possess strong leadership and communications skills, and a track record in building philanthropic relationships with corporate prospects and donors to achieve aggressive fundraising goals. Progressive fundraising experience, experience with diverse constituents, a drive to succeed, grant proposal writing, and ability to close major gifts of $1M or more should be demonstrated in your application. Candidates must have strong organizational skills and the initiative and ability to work independently, and a mature and professional demeanor. Experience in the technology industry or in partnership with technology and technology-adjacent sectors is preferred, as is familiarity with funding models for innovation hubs, technology incubators, and/or accelerators. Demonstrated familiarity with digital values including experimentation, risk-taking, and iterative development should be included with the application. Experience with complex higher education, research or a large cultural organization is preferred. The position is based in Washington, DC and reports to the Director of Corporate Relations. Travel of up to 20% of the time is required.

About the Office of Advancement and Smithsonian Institution
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.

Benefits Information and Application Instructions
The Smithsonian Institution offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive package of benefits. This is not a federal position but has similar requirements and benefits. This position is a temporary position funded through September 2025. This is an excellent opportunity to join Smithsonian Advancement, demonstrate your talents and abilities, learn, and grow, with potential for a permanent position. Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter to oastaffing@si.edu by June 30, 2023. Please include the position title in your e-mail subject line. 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); average number of hours worked per week; and salary requirements.

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