Job  Board

Come join a team of dedicated staff at an exceptional time in Smithsonian history. With our Secretary, Lonnie G. Bunch III, who was previously the founding director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, we are positioned to realize our goal of being a truly 21st century museum complex. The Smithsonian is dedicated to its founding mission, “the increase and diffusion of knowledge” and as such we use our resources to encourage curiosity, ignite wonder and spark the joy of learning. Following the success of the Smithsonian’s first comprehensive capital campaign, the largest ever undertaken by a cultural organization, the Smithsonian has built a model fundraising organization. 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.  

The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) seeks an experienced and dynamic gift-planning officer. This is an exceptional opportunity for an energetic professional with strong frontline fundraising skills to play an important role in building legacy support for public programs, exhibitions, educational and outreach activities, research, and endowment needs of the Museum. The incumbent will assist the advancement office at NMAI with prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities. The incumbent is responsible for building and managing a portfolio of prospects and donors focused on individuals with high capacity and planned giving potential. He or she will work creatively to match donor interest with unit priorities, develop funding proposals and negotiate complex gifts.  

The successful candidate will possess strong leadership and communications skills, and a track record in building relationships with individual donors. Progressive fundraising experience, experience with diverse constituents, and ability to close legacy and major gifts should be demonstrated in your application. This position requires knowledge of and experience with the complexities of gift planning (i.e. financial planning, estate planning, tax laws, wills, trusts, etc.) Candidates must have strong organizational and communication skills, and the initiative and ability to work independently. Candidates should also have experience and interest in planned giving marketing as this position is responsible for the development of planned giving lead- generation and stewardship materials. Experience in complex higher education or a large cultural organization is preferred. The position is based in Washington, DC and reports to the Assistant Director for Individual Giving. Some domestic travel will be required.  

Established in 1989, through an Act of Congress, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian is an institution of living cultures dedicated to advancing knowledge and understanding of the life, languages, literature, history, and arts of the Native peoples of the Western Hemisphere. The National Museum of the American Indian is comprised of two premier centers for exhibitions and public programs— a museum in Washington, D.C., on the National Mall, and a second museum in Manhattan in New York City. The museum also has a collections, research and conservation facility, the Cultural Resources Center, which is located in Suitland, Maryland. The three state-of-the-art facilities of the National Museum of the American Indian make it a leading museum and a popular cultural destination for exploring Indigenous cultures— past and present.  

The Smithsonian Institution is a unique complex of 21 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park, and nine research centers. Its exhibitions, programs, collections, and outreach touch the lives of millions of Americans every year, as well as many who visit us from abroad. The Smithsonian Institution offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive package of benefits. This is not a federal position but has similar requirements and benefits.

This is a two-year, grant- funded position. If the program and incumbent are successful, the term position may be converted to permanent status.  

Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter to oastaffing@si.edu by October 10, 2022. Please include the position title in your e-mail subject line.

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.  

The Smithsonian Institution ensures its employees (federal and trust), applicants, and affiliated persons (interns, research associates, fellows, and volunteers) are protected from discrimination and unfair treatment in the workplace regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, gender stereotyping, pregnancy, and sexual orientation), age, disability, genetic information, marital status, parental status, or political affiliation and are free from reprisal against protected activities. In addition, other Smithsonian policy prohibits discrimination based on membership in an employee organization or other non-merit factors, and political affiliation.  

The Smithsonian provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need an accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the contact person listed in this announcement. The decision on granting a reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.