Job Description

Grade: 14
Location: Washington, DC
Closing: February 29

We are excited to announce an opportunity to join the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in Washington, D.C. as the Director of Advancement. Join our dynamic team and serve a key role in driving positive changes at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. As the Director of Advancement, you will direct a capital campaign to reimagine our Atrium level galleries and public spaces while revitalizing and enhancing our exhibition experiences, online and onsite. The Director of Advancement, working with the Museum's Management Team, will help catalyze new programs, digital engagement, and outreach efforts. We are seeking a skilled professional with diverse experience to contribute to our mission of educating, challenging, and inspiring our audiences on the breadth of American experiences.

With the second largest collection of any Smithsonian Museum, this is a unique opportunity to help reimagine what a history museum can and should be today, and tomorrow to help us achieve our goal of greater reach, greater impact, and greater relevance. Through our collection, we can tell any story in American history. The United States Postal Service has issued more than 2,500 stamps since the first stamps appeared in 1847. The images represent some of our country's greatest achievements, its incredible natural beauty, as well as individual leaders, artists, authors and more. But we also recognize that not all-American stories have appeared on stamps. This strategic plan calls on us to do more in telling less known, though equally important, stories that deserve to be told to highlight the complex and complicated history of America.

Key Responsibilities
The National Postal Museum seeks to hire an accomplished Director of Advancement 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 Director directs the Advancement program for the National Postal Museum, with responsibility for planning and executing major and annual gift fundraising initiatives including individuals, corporations, and foundations. The incumbent will secure contributions by discovering and cultivating a productive relationship with prospective donors; presenting opportunities for giving through solicitation efforts; helping to steward advisory council members and their networks; and crafting and implementing a multi-year fundraising plan. The incumbent works closely with the Smithsonian Office of Advancement to coordinate with colleagues on matters relating to proposals, gift agreements, budgets and reporting, and other policy and process areas. The Director supervises three advancement professionals. The position reports to the Museum Director.

Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise
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. National and international travel will be required. 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.

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 to this link by February 29, 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