Associate Director for Advancement Archives of American Art

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 records documenting this country’s rich
artistic and cultural 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.

 

Key Responsibilities

The Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art (AAA) seeks an
experienced and creative candidate to fill the role of Associate
Director for Advancement. Working closely with the Director, senior
staff, and members of the Board of Trustees, the Associate Director
oversees all fundraising at the AAA, including foundation grants,
major gifts, annual fund, and cultivation events.  The
incumbent manages relationships with current and prospective
donors, including identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and
stewarding donors. Regular direct interaction with donors and
potential donors nationwide is expected, and direct, independent
solicitation of gifts from individuals and institutional donors is
a central aspect of the position. 

 

The Associate Director 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 as well as endowments. The incumbent
seeks opportunities to expand the portfolio and increase giving
from current donors. The Associate Director develops and implements
the AAA’s communications and marketing strategy and supporting
campaigns to raise the visibility and to elevate the brand of the
Archives of American Art in alignment with generating support for
fundraising priorities.

 

The Associate Director is responsible for planning and oversight
of the annual gala, a formal dinner 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 and/or equivalent
events. The Associate Director develops and manages other
cultivation events that may be developed through the year, working
in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution’s Office of
Special Events and Protocol as needed. The Associate Director is
responsible for effective budget management, working in
collaboration with the AAA’s Director for Administration. The
incumbent supervises three advancement staff whose primary duties
are in external communications, grant and gift management,
individual giving, and annual fund. This position reports to the
Director of the AAA.

 

Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise

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 is
preferred. Strong organizational, relationship, collaboration,
communication, project management, and supervisory 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 using this
link by May 31, 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.

 

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