Assistant Director of Advancement Services (Human Resources)

Overview

Join the Smithsonian Institution during an extraordinary era marked by the successful Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future, which achieved its $2.5 billion fundraising goal ahead of schedule in celebration of the nation's 250th anniversary in 2026. This achievement represents the largest fundraising accomplishment by any cultural organization and significantly expands the Smithsonian's influence and capacity to address critical challenges. The Office of Advancement (OA) serves as the central hub for institutional fundraising efforts, providing comprehensive support to advancement teams throughout the Smithsonian's museums and research centers.

Position Summary

This role manages all human resource functions within the Office of Advancement and collaborates with advancement teams across the Institution to devise recruitment and hiring strategies for advancement positions. The Assistant Director supervises a Human Resources Specialist and reports directly to the Director of Advancement Operations and Talent Management, as a member of the Advancement Administration team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the entire spectrum of HR activities for the Office of Advancement.
• Provide expert advice on Smithsonian HR policies and practices to staff and leadership within OA.
• Oversee and administer the annual performance planning and appraisal processes.
• Collaborate closely with the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources to interpret, shape, and implement HR policies, as well as support labor and employee relations actions.
• Partner with advancement leaders across the Institution to plan and execute recruitment strategies for various advancement roles.
• Coordinate and manage interview panels for recruitment efforts.
• Offer HR and hiring guidance to staff, management, and senior leaders throughout the Smithsonian's advancement operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum of six years of human resources experience in a sizable, complex organization.
• Proven track record of launching new initiatives and programs successfully within organizational complexities.
• Strong ability to cultivate productive working relationships across all levels, from entry-level personnel to senior executives.
• Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills applied to diverse scenarios.
• Experience producing and presenting precise, insightful reports for management review.
• Competent in effectively applying organizational policies within complex environments.
• Applicants with foreign education must provide equivalency documentation from recognized evaluations.

Additional Information

• This is a permanent, full-time trust fund position located in Washington, DC, operating onsite with a five-day workweek.
• Salary range is $121,785 to $158,322 annually.
• Trust fund employees are compensated from various non-federal sources and are not part of civil service; benefits include health, dental, vision insurance, life insurance, commuter benefits, retirement plans, and other perks.
• Applicants must undergo pre-employment background checks and a probationary period.
• The position is open to all candidates legally authorized to work in the United States; proof of eligibility is not required at application but must be verified before employment.
• Relocation expenses are not covered.
• Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants with disabilities.

Application Instructions

Submit a resume and cover letter by August 14, 2026, detailing paid and unpaid related work experience, including dates and hours worked per week. Qualified candidates will be screened post-application closure and referred to hiring management.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The Smithsonian Institution provides equal employment opportunity and reviews reasonable accommodation requests on a case-by-case basis.