Description

This position is located in the Office of Advancement, National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI), NZCBI leads the Smithsonian’s global effort to save species, better understand ecosystems and train future generations of conservationists. Its scientists also work in field stations around the world. More than 200 scientists and their partners in more than 30 countries create and share knowledge to aid in the survival and recovery of species and their habitats. Findings from these studies provide critical data for the management of captive populations and valuable insights for the conservation and management of wild populations. Collectively, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute care for more than 2,000 animals representing more than 380 species. 

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. 

Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute includes a 163-acre exhibition complex in the District of Columbia, within the US National Park Service's Rock Creek Park, and a 3,200-acre conservation research facility outside Front Royal, Virginia, contiguous with the Shenandoah National Park and the Appalachian Trail. The Institute’s goals include excellence in animal care, research on endangered species, and education and high-quality visitor experience. On-going renovation and upgrade of the facilities to meet the highest standards of animal care and state-of-the-art research and education requirements, with over 100 buildings, some over 100 years old, requires a major investment of funds, only some of which is provided by the Federal appropriation to Smithsonian and the Zoo. Support for public programming and research is significantly dependent upon revenue from concessions income, special events, donations, grants, and contracts.

Requirements

Duties and Responsibilities

 Program Management 

• Develops and manages prospect activity for the portfolio of prospects ranging from major gifts to principal giving. 
• Seeks opportunities to expand the portfolio and increase giving from current donors. Develops individual strategies and execution activities to increase giving and expand portfolio. 
• Executes prospect management practices in accordance with established guidelines and seeks to maximize the opportunities for prospects and donors. 
• Ensures activity and information is recorded accurately, timely, to identify and engage the appropriate stakeholders. The position works collaboratively with and in support of the Advancement staff and others as needed.
   

Prospect Management 

• Secures contributions from individuals, foundations, corporations, and other organizations by discovering and cultivating a productive relationship with prospective donors. 
• Manages relationships with current and prospective donors, including identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors.
• Develops and executes strategies for engagement, presents opportunities for giving and negotiation, and completes solicitation efforts. 
• This includes all aspects of plan development and execution of programs and projects to meet the established fundraising goals and performance metrics. 
• Ensures adherence to policies, guidelines, and regulations. Evaluates and addresses challenges encountered with projects and plans and determines engagement of appropriate staff and supervisor as part of resolution.
• Engages staff, volunteers and leadership in cultivation and solicitation of donors in addition to soliciting gifts personally. Prepares correspondence and develops cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship materials.
   

Qualifications

• Requires mastery of professional fundraising techniques and understanding of the current philanthropic market to develop strategies for raising funds from a variety of prospects.
• Strong oral presentation skills to engage and inform donors and donor prospects and negotiate significant gifts on behalf of the Smithsonian or unit.
• Skill in developing written materials designed to recognize and encourage the organization's donors where their funding has benefited the unit programs.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a variety of individual or institutional donors of diverse backgrounds and interests.
• Skill in analyzing individuals and institutions to develop prospect portfolio and prospect donors in achieving fundraising goals.
• The work involves development of strategies specific to individual and/or institutional donors in the unit’s major gifts portfolio. The position’s effort contributes to the achievement of a significant part of the unit’s overall fundraising 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.

Application Instructions 

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to this LINK by December 1, 2025. 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. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact nzcbi-hr@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 (https://www.si.edu/OEO/IndividualswithDisabilities). 

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