Assistant Director for Advancement (IS-1001-14) - Smithsonian Institution

DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC 
Non-Sensitive/Moderate Risk

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 and 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). 

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 Smithsonian Institution’s Archives of American Art (AAA) is the largest and most widely used resource on the history of American art in the world. Its mission is to collect, preserve, and make available primary sources documenting this country’s rich artistic legacy with the aim of encouraging all to explore how art is essential to the human experience. Located in Washington, DC, the Archives also has a research center in New York City. To learn more about the Archives of American Art, visit our website at www.aaa.si.edu.

The Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art (AAA) seeks an experienced and creative candidate to fill the role of Director of Advancement. Working closely with the Archives Director, senior staff, and members of the Board of Trustees, the Director oversees all fundraising at the AAA, including major gifts, foundation grants, annual fund, and special events.  

 

The Director of Advancement develops and manages activity for the portfolio of prospects ranging from major gifts to principal gifts and on an annual and long-term basis for general operating support and programmatic initiatives thereafter. The incumbent manages relationships with current and prospective donors, including identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors, and seeks opportunities to expand the portfolio and increase giving from current donors. Regular direct interaction with donors and potential donors nationwide is expected, and direct, independent solicitation of gifts from individuals and institutional donors is core to the position.  

 

The Director will oversee AAA’s participation in the Smithsonian Institution’s (SI) forthcoming national fundraising campaign, working closely with SI’s central advancement teams. The incumbent coordinates with the AAA Director as well as SI resources to develop and implement AAA’s communications and marketing strategy, with the goals of raising the visibility and elevating the brand of the Archives of American Art in alignment with generating support for fundraising priorities. 

 

The Director is responsible for planning and oversight of the annual gala, a celebration for approximately 300 people with honorees and an awards program, including developing and implementing a plan to engage board members and other key stakeholders in soliciting support for this event. The Director develops and manages other cultivation events that may be developed throughout the year, working in collaboration with SI’s Office of Special Events and Protocol as needed.

 

The Director is responsible for effective budget management, working in collaboration with AAA’s Director for Administrative Operations. The incumbent supervises a team whose primary duties are in grant and gift management, special events, and annual fund. This position reports to the Director of the AAA.

Successful candidates will have a minimum of seven years of successful experience in fundraising with increasing level of responsibility. At least five years of experience in direct solicitation of major gifts, including principal gifts, and oversight of a portfolio of significance is preferred. Strong organizational, relationship, supervisory, collaboration, and communication skills as well as the ability to work independently are essential.  A bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree is highly desirable. Travel is required and work during the evening 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 explaining their interest in the position by September 30, 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. 

 

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.