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OPEN DATE: May 14, 2026
CLOSING DATE: May 29, 2026
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Permanent
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk:
Low Risk Non-Sensitive
Open to all qualified applicants
What are Trust Fund Positions?
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 have launched 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 Office of Advancement (OA) oversees and guides the fundraising efforts of the entire Smithsonian and is home to the central development organization for the Institution. In addition to raising significant support for a variety of Smithsonian initiatives, the OA provides support services to advancement offices across the Institution. The office engages with staff throughout the Smithsonian in accomplishing their goals.
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.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. 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. To review the Smithsonian’s EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo.
Associate Director of Advancement Services (Gift Registrar), IS-1001-14
Washington, DCPosted 5 days ago
Full Time
Job Description
Associate Director of Advancement Services (Gift Registrar), IS-1001-14
Application Deadline: 29 May 2026
Department: Office of Advancement
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Washington, DC
Compensation: $143,913 - $187,093 / year
Description
OPEN DATE: May 14, 2026
CLOSING DATE: May 29, 2026
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Permanent
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk:
Low Risk Non-Sensitive
Open to all qualified applicants
What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).
Conditions of Employment
- Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
- Complete a Probationary Period.
- Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
- The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
- Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
OVERVIEW
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 have launched 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 Office of Advancement (OA) oversees and guides the fundraising efforts of the entire Smithsonian and is home to the central development organization for the Institution. In addition to raising significant support for a variety of Smithsonian initiatives, the OA provides support services to advancement offices across the Institution. The office engages with staff throughout the Smithsonian in accomplishing their goals.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Smithsonian Institution’s Office of Advancement seeks an experienced candidate to fill the role of Associate Director of Advancement Services. The Associate Director serves as the Smithsonian’s Gift Registrar and directs the office that oversees gift processing for the entire Institution. This department ensures all gifts received by the Institution are accurately documented, recorded and allocated in the official Smithsonian donor management system. S/he guides and advises on policy associated with gift accounting, processing and reconciliation.
The incumbent has a high level of interface with unit staff including advancement staff, administrative officers, and Office of Finance and Accounting staff regarding gift designations, policy implementation, application of accounting principles, and adherence to Smithsonian regulations, IRS code, CASE and NACUBO guidelines.
This position supervises four staff members.
The incumbent has a high level of interface with unit staff including advancement staff, administrative officers, and Office of Finance and Accounting staff regarding gift designations, policy implementation, application of accounting principles, and adherence to Smithsonian regulations, IRS code, CASE and NACUBO guidelines.
This position supervises four staff members.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree is required.
- A minimum of five years of experience managing a gift registration operation, a passion for learning and exploration, and the desire to join a dynamic and growing operation should be demonstrated in your application.
- Strong organizational, leadership, collaboration, and communication skills as well as the ability to manage a high-performing team in a complex higher education institution or a large cultural/environmental organization.
- Expert knowledge of IRS, CASE and NACUBO standards as these relate to gift recording. Knowledge of relational databases for gift recording such as Raiser’s Edge, Ellucian Advance, Banner recommended.
- The institution is migrating to Salesforce within the next 18 months, therefore expertise in gift management within Education Cloud/Non-Profit Cloud/NPSP is preferred and experience in financial operations and procedures is 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
Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter by May 29, 2026. 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.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. 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. To review the Smithsonian’s EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo.