Advancement Specialist at The Smithsonian Institution
Job Title: Advancement Specialist
Job Status: Full-time
Location: Washington, D.C.
Salary: $78,592 – $89,069
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.
The National Postal Museum houses and displays the national philatelic and postal history collection, the largest and most comprehensive of its kind in the world. The museum serves as the nation’s premier center for philatelic and postal scholarship and shares its collections with the public through exhibitions, public programs, publications, as well as outreach activities designed for visitors of all ages. The National Postal Museum is repositioning itself for significant growth and expanded reach with the development of a new strategic vision. The museum has seen double digit increase in visitation over the past couple of years. Come join the National Postal Museum at this exciting time!
Requirements
Duties and Responsibilities
The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum (NPM) has an opening for an experienced and dynamic Advancement Specialist to help build the base of institutional support for the Museum’s exhibitions, collections, educational and outreach activities, and endowment needs. The Advancement Specialist supports the full range of advancement activities to effectively support the fundraising goals of the Museum and to convey the Museum’s mission to diverse constituencies. This position reports to the Director of Advancement.
- Provides solicitation support for advancement programs and initiatives, including support for fundraising proposals to individuals, foundations and corporations, prospect research, development of letters, background materials, concept papers, as well as cultivation and solicitation material and other material as requested.
- Assists with the coordination of the stewardship of donors, including planning visits and tours, developing and tracking acknowledgement letters, reports, and other communications materials to donors.
- Maintains accurate and complete records of a variety of fundraising activities.
- Manages and tracks stewardship of donors, including preparing reports to provide updates on program accomplishments and accounting of funds.
- Manages, prepares and tracks approval of gift agreements, memoranda of understanding (MOUs), and other gift-related documentation.
- Provides support for advancement events, meetings, and other cultivation and stewardship activities involving donors and key constituencies. Participates in planning sessions and helps coordinate logistics, guest management, materials, and other elements needed for a successful event.
Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise
- Bachelor’s degree is required; master’s degree is highly desired.
- One year of specialized experience providing support to fundraisers that includes maintaining records of fundraising activities, writing/editing a variety of fundraising materials, and providing logistical support for fundraising events within an advancement operation in a complex organization, preferably a museum or cultural institution.
- Experience using fundraising/donor database software to manage information, generate lists and provide support to front-line fundraisers.
- Superior communication skills, both oral and written, as well as excellent interpersonal skills.
- Understanding of and dedication to the mission of the National Postal Museum.
- Willingness to travel locally and nationally on occasion and to work evenings and weekends as needed.
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”. 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 to this link by 11:59 pm on October 27, 2023. 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.
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.