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 National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is part of the Smithsonian Institution’s unique complex of 21 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 it, thus inspiring curiosity, discovery, and learning about the natural world 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. Because of the boundless curiosity of NMNH researchers, the breadth and depth of the collection, and the ability to inspire future generation of scientists, the museum has a vital role to play. In the next decade, the museum will welcome 60 million people through its doors and engage millions more digitally. Through NMNH, people can both discover the world and learn to become better stewards of it.

Key Responsibilities
NMNH seeks experienced and dynamic gift officers to serve as members of its successful fundraising team, supporting the museum’s mission and strategic plan as it heads into a capital campaign. This is an exceptional opportunity for an energetic professional with strong frontline fundraising skills to play an important role in building private support for the exhibitions, educational and outreach activities, research, and endowment needs of the Museum. The incumbent will assist the advancement office with prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities. The Gift Officer will work creatively to match donor interest with unit priorities, develop funding proposals, and negotiate complex gifts.

The Museum seeks to achieve and sustain total philanthropic support of $20 million on an annual basis as we enter the comprehensive phase of our fundraising campaign and beyond. Buoyed by an extremely powerful institutional brand, an expansive base of volunteers, and substantial support from a small group of lead donors, our challenge now is to leverage the extraordinary strength of the higher levels of the donor pyramid. We are growing the museum's donor base at the five-, six- and seven-figure levels, acquiring new donors through annual giving, and moving funders through the giving cycle. Identifying, cultivating, and soliciting new donors at all levels will be critical to the success of the Museum’s future fundraising efforts.

Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise
Successful candidates will possess strong leadership and communications skills, and a track record in building philanthropic relationships with individual donors and prospects 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. Candidates must have strong organizational skills, and the initiative and ability to work independently. Experience with complex higher education or a large cultural organization is preferred. The position is based in Washington, DC and reports to the Chief Advancement Officer. Travel of up to 25% of the time is required.

Any false statement in your application may result in your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins.

Benefits and 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 July 26, 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.

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.

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.