Job Description

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 Director of Campaign Strategy will work with the Assistant Secretary and Office of Advancement leadership team in building and implementing campaign strategies for the Smithsonian Institution. The primary responsibilities for this position are to work with museum and research center Advancement leads to build unit-level fundraising plans and strategies in support of the unit campaign mission; to support museum and research center directors and their Advancement leads on the development of gift propositions and solicitations; and, to work with volunteers and advisory boards across the Institution to advance engagement and fundraising efforts. The Campaign Strategy Director assists the Assistant Secretary for Advancement and Campaign Co-Chairs in all efforts to advance fundraising activities. In partnership with the Office of Principal Gifts, the Campaign Director pursues a targeted portfolio of principal gift prospects in support of the Smithsonian’s programming for the 250th anniversary of the United States. The Campaign Strategy Director will also supervise a team of advancement officers responsible for assisting museums and centers with projects and for providing management support during period of advancement leadership vacancies.

Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise
Seven to ten years of experience as an advancement professional is required, with at least the last four years in managerial positions. Experience in an active leadership role in a successful capital campaign in one of the following venues: higher education; museums; or community non-profit education in human service. Outstanding demonstrated success building, cultivating, and stewarding new relationships leading to measurable results and success in personally soliciting significant major gifts. Evidence of being highly energetic, self-starting, entrepreneurial and creative in formulating ideas, opportunities and strategies for development campaign activities is necessary. A bachelor’s degree is required, master’s degree preferred.

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 oastaffing@si.edu by April 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.