Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of African American History and Culture: Associate Director of Advancement (Washington, DC)

About the Position

The Associate Director of Advancement position presents a distinct opportunity to join the senior leadership team of this signature museum and be a part of the greater Smithsonian Institution. Reporting to the Museum Director, the Associate Director of Advancement will foster a culture of philanthropy that assures fundraising success while subscribing to the highest standards of cultivation, stewardship, and staff management. The Associate Director of Advancement will be a member of a collaborative leadership team that directs key decisions and implements strategic plans to advance institutional priorities.

The Associate Director of Advancement will develop annual fundraising plans that continue to fuel NMAAHC’s successful trajectory and further bolster the Museum’s renowned collections, exhibitions, and programs. They will have overall leadership responsibility for institutional advancement through the management of a portfolio that encompasses all development program areas: leadership gifts, institutional relations (corporate, foundation, government and organizational), membership and annual giving programs, planned giving, stewardship and events, prospect research, development operations, and gifts of art and historical significance.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture has retained Boston-based international executive search firm Isaacson, Miller to conduct this search, with Jack Gorman and Karen Avery leading the search team. Confidential nominations, inquiries, and applications may be directed to the search firm as indicated at the end of this document.

Key Goals, Opportunities and Challenges


The Associate Director of Advancement must be an astute and strategic thinker, fully focused on concrete results, and able to translate plans into action. They will create, develop, and implement goals for annual fundraising, long-term initiatives, and future capital campaigns.

The NMAAHC Advancement team is comprised of 22 highly motivated and experienced professionals across major gifts, stewardship, planned giving, sponsorships, membership, and operations. The Associate Director of Advancement collectively establishes annual fundraising goals and develops donor cultivation plans while also fostering a diversified team that embraces the Museum’s values and promotes a culture of collaboration. The Associate Director will play an active role in fundraising, maintaining a small portfolio of high network prospects, and will comprehensively monitor progress of established programs and new initiatives alongside current philanthropic trends to anticipate the proper tools and methods needed to support fundraising success.

The NMAAHC Advisory Council consists of 33 prominent, high-profile philanthropists and notable individuals who closely guide the Museum’s strategic course. It is imperative that the incoming Associate Director of Advancement is comfortable working in close partnership with this highly engaged group and skillfully able to cultivate and manage relationships with key individuals. Excellent candidates will demonstrate skilled communication, discretion, confidentiality, and the ability to present complex and high-level information clearly and concisely.

Associate Directors provide the highest level of strategic support to the Museum Director, contributing to discussions and decisions that impact the overall management and direction of the Museum. This valued group of leaders is also charged with leading by example across their departments to encourage collaboration, open communication, and further foster the NMAAHC community. The Associate Director of Advancement must be able to build and maintain a reputation as a team player as well as working relationships across teams and a broad knowledge of museum initiatives and activity.

The Smithsonian is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums, the National Zoo, and nine research facilities. The Smithsonian’s Office of Advancement coordinates across all units to ensure that institutional priorities and goals are met. The Associate Director of Advancement serves as the designated representative for NMAAHC with this central office and collaborates to align unit fundraising with the larger institution’s campaigns, priorities, and initiatives.

NMAAHC boasts a passionate and talented staff that is highly dedicated to the Museum’s mission and initiatives. The Associate Director of Advancement will regularly interface with external affairs, curatorial and collections teams, operations, and project management to achieve departmental and organizational goals. A commitment to inclusive and progressive management and open communication are essential to team and unit success.

Qualifications and Experience

NMAAHC seeks a strategic leader who possesses the vision, passion, energy, and managerial ability to guide NMAAHC through the next stages in its evolution. A successful candidate will bring many of the following qualifications, skills, and experiences to the role:

• Minimum of ten years of significant non-profit fundraising experience in a leadership position with a demonstrated track record of meeting fundraising goals and working successfully with volunteer boards;
• Creative, sophisticated, and strategic fundraiser who can manage a complex portfolio;
• Proven track record of developing effective institution-wide fundraising systems and values;
• Demonstrated success in building strong and lasting relationships; personal experience in strategizing, presenting, negotiating and closing high-level gift arrangements;
• Extensive knowledge of fundraising principles, strategies and approaches that span capital and endowment campaigns, as well as annual giving, planned giving and gifts of art;
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to energize and inspire staff, council members, and external stakeholders, and to persuade prospects and donors locally, nationally, and internationally to believe in NMAAHC’s future;
• A deep understanding of and commitment to NMAAHC’s mission;
• Authentic personal interest in and appreciation for NMAAHC content, including African American history and culture, community, and contemporary social justice movements;
• A collaborative, inclusive, and transparent leadership style with a commitment to operate with the highest standards of ethics and integrity;
• Strong leadership qualities including a successful history of building and motivating a large, diverse staff that embraces the values of the organization;
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; including excellent presentation skills;
• Experience in a museum or other cultural organization. Preferred experience in relevant or key NMAAHC markets, including HBCUs (Historically Black Universities and Colleges), African American cultural and community organizations, and/or social service providers;
• A flexible nature with a high degree of emotional intelligence the gravitas and charisma to engage and influence others;
• Goal oriented, open to new concepts, able to balance many demands, willing to take risks;
• A professional who places high value on the importance of mentorship and coaching;
• Travel, evening and weekend work required as necessary;
• And a Bachelor’s degree is required; advanced degree preferred.

To Apply

More information about the museum can be found here. 

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