Job Description

Location: Washington, DC

Assistant Director for Advancement, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum (IS-1001-14)

Application Deadline: 10 September 2025

Department: Office of Advancement

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Washington, DC

Reporting To: Chief Advancement Officer

Compensation: $146,754 - $156,537 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: September 5, 2025

CLOSING DATE: September 10, 2025

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Trust Permanent

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY LOCATION: New York, NY


Position sensitivity and risk:
Non-Sensitive/Moderate Risk

Open to SI Only

What are Trust Fund Positions?

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
• Complete a Probationary Period.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

OVERVIEW

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 have launched 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.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum seeks a dynamic and experienced Assistant Director of Advancement to play a key leadership role within the Advancement Office. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), the Assistant Director provides strategic direction and hands-on management in the areas of special events, the National Design Awards, corporate relations, and corporate membership. The Assistant Director will also serve as a deputy to the CAO and provide guidance, mentorship, and supervision to junior staff.

The Assistant Director will be responsible for generating significant revenue through corporate sponsorships, corporate membership, the National Design Awards, and event rentals, contributing to the museum's annual advancement goals. The role supervises two direct reports and collaborates closely with colleagues across Advancement, Curatorial, Education, and Communications to maximize visibility, engagement, and philanthropic support.

Major Duties

• Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management for a portfolio of advancement activities, with a particular emphasis on:
  • Special Events: Lead planning and execution of high-profile internal and external events, including donor cultivation events, board engagements, and rental events.
  • National Design Awards: Oversee all aspects of this signature annual program, including sponsorship solicitation, donor stewardship, event planning, and recognition.
  • Corporate Relations and Membership: Drive recruitment and retention of corporate members; develop and steward relationships with corporate partners; and oversee corporate sponsorship strategy for exhibitions, programs, and events.
• Serve as deputy to the CAO, representing Advancement leadership at internal and external meetings, and assisting with strategy and planning across all fundraising programs.
• Supervise and mentor two direct reports, ensuring professional development, goal setting, and accountability.
• Manage revenue targets for corporate sponsorship, corporate membership, NDA, and event rentals; develop and track budgets to achieve Advancement revenue goals.
• Partner with senior staff, trustees, and volunteers to cultivate and steward donors, sponsors, and members.
• Ensure advancement events and donor engagements adhere to Smithsonian protocol, institutional policies, and museum branding guidelines.
• Collaborate with Communications and Marketing teams to ensure events and sponsorships are effectively promoted and aligned with the museum's mission and visibility goals.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of a bachelor's degree plus 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, advancement, or special events; master's degree preferred.
• Demonstrated success securing corporate sponsorships and memberships and managing revenue-generating events.
• Supervisory experience, with proven ability to lead, mentor, and motivate staff.
• Knowledge of and experience with special events and donor engagement in a museum, cultural, or nonprofit setting strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with donor databases and the Salesforce system.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adapt quickly to changing priorities.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across departments and with senior stakeholders.
• Knowledge of protocol, discretion, and donor stewardship practices.
• Ability to work evenings, early mornings, and weekends as needed for events.

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

Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter by September 10, 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.

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.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. 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. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo