Job Description

Come join a team of dedicated staff at an exceptional time in the Smithsonian’s history as we prepare for the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future. This ambitious fundraising campaign’s public phase will run from 2024 to 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.

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.

Duties and Responsibilities
The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum seeks an experienced and dynamic gift officer to serve as a member of its successful fundraising team. This is an exceptional opportunity for an energetic professional with strong frontline fundraising skills to play an important role in building private support for public programs, exhibitions, educational and outreach activities, research, and endowment needs of the Museum. The Gift Officer will play a critical role in furthering an engagement strategy, developing, and managing a portfolio of prospects and helping to formulate strategy and implement plans to achieve ambitious fundraising goals.

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 two 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.

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. Relocation expenses are not paid.

Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter using this link by August 14, 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. This position is a temporary position funded through September 2025. This is an excellent opportunity to join Smithsonian Advancement, demonstrate your talents and abilities, learn, and grow, with potential for a permanent position.

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.

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