Office of Advancement Career Opportunities

The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is part of the Smithsonian Institution’s unique complex of 22 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park, and nine research centers. The NMNH mission is to promote understanding of the natural world and our place in through its unparalleled research, collection, exhibitions, and education and outreach programs. The museum’s collections tell the history of the planet and are a record of human interaction with the environment and one another. Through NMNH, people can both discover the world and learn to become better stewards of it.

The donor community has responded strongly to this mission. The past two fiscal years have seen historic milestones reached with $38 million raised in FY23 and more than $80 million raised in FY24, even with a relatively lean staff. These and other successes have driven the NMNH campaign effort (begun in 2022 and ending in 2026) to more than 80% of its $200 million working goal. This campaign is part of the broader Smithsonian effort targeting $2.5 billion in campaign funding for the Institution. Longer-term, the museum aims to grow the Advancement team to sustainably raise an average of $20 million or more annually.

To help lead the way in building a philanthropic foundation to support its grand vision, the NMNH is recruiting a Chief Advancement Officer (CAO). The CAO has responsibility for the overall planning, management, and execution of the fundraising program at NMNH. Consistent with NMNH’s goals and objectives, the CAO seeks to harness museum resources to communicate its story as broadly and effectively as possible to audiences on site, in the region, across the country, and around the world. The CAO reports directly to and works closely with the NMNH Associate Director for Advancement and Communications and leads a current team of five. One of the primary objectives of this position will be to recruit additional professionals and develop the group into a cohesive, high-performing team raising consistently $20 million or more in philanthropic support each year.

An understanding of how to effectively work within a large and complex institution will be key to the selected candidate’s success. Collaborating with the Smithsonian’s advancement organization, the CAO will draw on its support services and integrate NMNH initiatives with the Institution’s overall fundraising strategy both during the campaign and afterwards. In addition, the ideal candidate will be an energetic leader with strong frontline fundraising skills and the ability to match donor interest with museum priorities as well as manage a team of frontline fundraisers. The successful candidate will also possess strong communications and relationship development skills with a track record of building philanthropic partnerships with individual donors and prospects to achieve aggressive fundraising goals.

Additional qualities of the ideal candidate are the ability to translate scientific and technical work into compelling donor-centric communications, familiarity working with diverse constituents, a drive to succeed, and ability to close major and principal gifts. Experience with a complex higher education or a large cultural organization is preferred.

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the Leadership Profile describing the position.

WittKieffer is assisting the National Museum of Natural History in this search. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Application materials should be submitted to WittKieffer’s candidate portal using this link. The annual salary range that the National Museum of Natural History reasonably projects for this position is $180,000-$190,000. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to: Senior Partner Greg Duyck and Senior Associate Maya E. Holt-Brockenbrough, Ph.D. at NMNH-CAO@wittkieffer.com.

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.

Come join a team of dedicated staff at an exceptional time for the Smithsonian. In 2024, we launched the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future, the largest fundraising campaign in the institution’s history. The campaign, which runs through 2026, aims to raise $2.5 billion to support all Smithsonian museums and centers—each with a vision to achieve a better future for all. The Smithsonian is also raising support for a series of signature programs, events, and exhibitions to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. 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.

As part of its strategic focus to build and enrich a national culture of learning by engaging with educational systems nationwide, The Office of the Under Secretary for Education at the Smithsonian is actively planning and implementing multiple initiatives to expand outreach and engagement across the country, with special emphasis on connecting with rural America and communities where there is little or no existing relationship with the Smithsonian.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Office of the Under Secretary for Education seeks an experienced and dynamic gift officer to serve as a member of its successful fundraising team. The position builds and manages a portfolio of prospects and donors to execute a program focused on high capacity giving to support the Smithsonian’s work to bring new education programs and resources to the country. The position is responsible for efforts resulting in significant contribution levels to support the pan-Institutional work of both the Rural Initiative and the Reckoning with Our Racial Past Initiative. It also works closely with Smithsonian leadership driving this work including the Director of the Rural Initiative, Under Secretary of Education, and the central Office of Advancement leadership team, as well as unit directors across the Institution.

Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise

Successful candidates will demonstrate proven success in securing significant contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations through creative discovery and cultivation of productive relationships with prospective donors. Strong organizational, relationship, collaboration, and communication skills as well as the ability to work independently are essential. A minimum of three years of progressive major gift fundraising experience, a passion for learning and exploration, and the desire to join a dynamic and growing operation should be demonstrated in your application. Experience in complex higher education or a large cultural or environmental organization is preferred. Travel is required and work during the evenings 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.

Benefits and Application Instructions

The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery". The Smithsonian Institution offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive package of benefits. Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter using this link by February 14, 2025. 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. Any false statement in your application may result in your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins. 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 Office of the Under Secretary for Education team values collaboration, respect, courage, compassion, and innovation. We welcome people from all generations, genders, religions, ethnic and racial backgrounds, educational and socioeconomic backgrounds, abilities, and sexual orientation to join us in our work presenting a more inclusive history of America through the often-untold accounts and accomplishments of women, individually and collectively. See Smithsonian EEO program information: https://www.si.edu/oeesd.

Come join a team of dedicated staff at an exceptional time for the Smithsonian. In 2024, we launched the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future, the largest fundraising campaign in the institution’s history. The campaign, which runs through 2026, aims to raise $2.5 billion to support all Smithsonian museums and centers—each with a vision to achieve a better future for all. The Smithsonian is also raising support for a series of signature programs, events, and exhibitions to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. 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 National Museum of African American History and Culture is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. It was established by Act of Congress in 2003, following decades of efforts to promote and highlight the contributions of African Americans.

Key Responsibilities

The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) seeks an experienced individual to serve the Program Director for Individual Giving who will supervise staff in order to plan, direct, and coordinate fund raising strategies and activities for NMAAHC’s individual giving program. This program has a particular focus on high net-worth individuals and includes prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to ensure the individual giving team meets overall campaign, annual and long-term revenue goals. The incumbent will maintain a portfolio of high-net-worth prospects, solicit gifts of $500K and up and prepare gift agreements, briefing packages, supportive materials, reports, and plans to the Museum’s leadership team. The incumbent will cultivate productive relationships, develop, and execute strategies for engagement, present opportunities for giving, and complete the solicitation efforts with donors. This includes all aspects of planning, development, and execution of programs and projects to meet annual fundraising goals.

Qualifications

Successful candidates will demonstrate proven ability to develop and manage a fundraising program in a major cultural, scientific, educational and/or non-profit organization, including the ability to navigate large, complex institutions. Ability to develop goals and plans of accomplishment related to individual giving. Proven success in securing significant contributions from individuals through creative discovery and cultivation of productive relationships with prospective donors. Strong organizational, relationship, collaboration, and communication skills as well as the ability to work independently are essential. A minimum of eight years of experience in progressively responsible advancement leadership positions, which includes work in individual giving and stewardship is required. A passion for learning and exploration, and the desire to join a dynamic and growing operation should be demonstrated in your application. Bachelor’s degree is required; Master’s degree is highly desired. Experience in education or a large cultural organization is preferred. Travel is required and work during the evenings 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.

Benefits and Application Instructions

The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery". The Smithsonian Institution offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive package of benefits. Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter using this link by February 16, 2025. 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. Any false statement in your application may result in your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins. 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.

Come join a team of dedicated staff at an exceptional time for the Smithsonian. In 2024, we launched the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future, the largest fundraising campaign in the institution’s history. The campaign, which runs through 2026, aims to raise $2.5 billion to support all Smithsonian museums and centers—each with a vision to achieve a better future for all. The Smithsonian is also raising support for a series of signature programs, events, and exhibitions to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. 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 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 Office of Advancement seeks to hire an experienced Associate Gift Registrar who performs a variety of operational activities related to processing and receipting of charitable contributions to the Institution’s two newest Museums: The National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum. This position is part of a team that is responsible for gift registration and recording, gift modifications, and coordination with unit colleagues regarding gifts to the Institution. This position includes daily communication with unit colleagues, careful entry and maintenance of donor biographical and gift data, preparation of daily bank deposits, gift reporting, and documentation of process efficiencies in preparation for the transition to a new Institution-wide CRM, and completion of ad hoc projects as assigned by the Gift Registrar.

Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise

Applicants must have a minimum of two years of experience in gift entry, knowledge of IRS charitable contribution regulations and how they relate to financial accounting practices, preferably in complex higher education or a large cultural or environmental organization. Knowledge of donor database software (e.g., Advance, RE or Banner), accounting systems, and Microsoft Office is desired. Strong organizational, relationship, collaboration, and communication skills as well as the ability to work independently are essential. Applications should demonstrate the ability to coordinate complex procedures and to manage multiple projects simultaneously. The successful candidate will have a passion for learning and exploration, and the desire to join an innovative and growing operation. 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 February 14, 2025. 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.