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Job Description

The Smithsonian Institution
Campaign Director
Washington, DC

The Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum and research complex, will undertake an ambitious national fundraising campaign that is expected to be the largest yet undertaken by any cultural organization. The campaign will strengthen the Smithsonian's global scientific research efforts and its science, cultural, and arts scholarship, advance its public programs and educational outreach, and accelerate its efforts to renew and improve facilities. The undertaking will propel the Institution's advancement efforts to new heights. Central to the success of the campaign will be the recruitment of a seasoned and dynamic director.

Reporting to Virginia Clark, Director of External Affairs, and working closely with the Smithsonian's executive and volunteer leadership, including the new Secretary, Wayne Clough (formerly President of Georgia Tech), the Campaign Director will provide leadership for the entire campaign effort. S/he will serve as a senior member of the External Affairs leadership team and focus his or her energies on designing and implementing plans and strategies to meet the Institution's campaign objectives. Key to this effort will be the director's ability to work with others, especially museum, research center, and program directors, to integrate and leverage advancement activities across the institution and ensure an efficient and effective campaign operation.

The new director will lead by word and deed. Responsible for staffing the Institution's eventual campaign steering committee, s/he must possess considerable advancement-related experience and have played a major leadership role within a national comprehensive campaign. Outstanding analytical ability and the ability to use data to make and to implement strategic decisions is an absolute requirement, as are the personal qualities of integrity, self-confidence, decisiveness, diplomacy, passion, and intellectual curiosity. Exceptional communications and interpersonal skills are sine qua non. A bachelor's degree and either an advanced degree or the equivalent combination of training and experience are required.

Recruitment will continue until the position is filled. Nominations, expressions of interest, requests for the complete position specification, and applications (including a cover letter and resume) should be submitted via email to SICampaignDir@wittkieffer.com. Material that cannot be emailed may be sent to:

Confidential inquiries and questions concerning this search may be directed to Ed Robinson at 301/654-5070.