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 in the Smithsonian’s history as we are in the middle of the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future. This ambitious fundraising campaign’s public phase will run through 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 Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) is headquartered in the Republic of Panama, with modern research and laboratory facilities, a library with extensive holdings in the natural and anthropological sciences, and terrestrial and marine field stations throughout the country. STRI has a vibrant and collaborative scientific community of over 35 staff scientists and hosts over 1200 scientific visitors per year, including fellows and interns. Staff scientists maintain diverse research programs in the ecology, evolution, physiology, development, and behavior of marine and terrestrial organisms and ecosystems, both ancient and modern, and the role of human interactions in shaping tropical environments. Strong interdisciplinary links between our scientists and the broader Smithsonian community provide excellent opportunities for addressing large-scale long-term research questions that are not possible elsewhere.

Key Responsibilities

STRI seeks a creative and energetic individual with a passion for science to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals for major and leadership gifts. Duties include working with a team to expand the Institute’s donor community across the country and internationally; creating and implementing innovative strategies for securing major and leadership gifts; managing a portfolio of 100+ prospects and leading strategies for their engagement and solicitation; and preparing proposals and other donor communications. The incumbent is expected to spend time in Panama as well as on travel to other locations associated with advancement and outreach tasks.

Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise

A minimum of four 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. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; the ability to meet frequent deadlines; and work independently as well as contribute to a broader team are essential to success. Experience in complex higher education or a large cultural or environmental organization is preferred. A science background or Spanish language skills are a plus. 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.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit their resume and a cover letter to this link by April 4, 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 in the Smithsonian’s history as we are in the middle of the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future. This ambitious fundraising campaign’s public phase will run through 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 pan-institutional initiatives, the Office of Advancement provides unrestricted revenue to the Trust through the Friends of the Smithsonian membership program. Members also provide support to Museums and Programs across the Smithsonian. The Friends of the Smithsonian team collaborates with staff throughout the Smithsonian to help accomplishing their goals.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Smithsonian’s Office of Advancement seeks a creative and energetic Advancement Specialist to serve as a Stewardship Officer as a member of the Friends of the Smithsonian membership team. This position offers an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to make a significant impact on expanding the scope and scale of the Smithsonian’s vision through philanthropic efforts. The Stewardship Officer will play a critical role in engaging members and deepening their passion for the Smithsonian.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Successful candidates will demonstrate passion for the Smithsonian and an ability to cultivate new relationships for the Institution with people across the country. Strong organizational, relationship, collaboration, and communication skills as well as the ability to work independently are essential. The Stewardship Officer will develop and execute strategies for discovery and engagement in concert with our membership, major gifts, and research teams; identify members potential for increasing philanthropic support; and work with mid-level membership colleagues to determine short- and long-term engagement strategies. A minimum of three years’ experience within an advancement team, 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.

Application Instructions
Interested candidates should submit their resume and a cover letter to this link by April 11, 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.