Location: Washington, DC
Employment Type: Full Time, Trust Fund Position
Appointment Type: Two-Year Term (extension contingent on funding)
Schedule: Full Time
Closing Date: February 27, 2026
Compensation: $143,913 – $197,200 per year
Reporting To: Under Secretary for Education
Workplace Type: Onsite
Position Sensitivity and Risk: Non-Sensitive, High Risk
About the Smithsonian and the Initiative
The Smithsonian Institution, founded in 1846, is the world’s largest museum and research complex, comprising 21 museums and galleries, the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, and 14 education and research facilities. Its collection exceeds 157 million objects, works of art, and specimens, supported by more than 6,500 employees, including around 500 scientists.
Launched in 2020, Our Shared Future: Reckoning with Our Racial Past (RWORP) is a Smithsonian-wide initiative addressing the enduring legacies of race and racism in the United States and globally. The initiative combines rigorous scholarship, public engagement, and inclusive educational programming to foster dialogue, build understanding, and inspire action toward a just and equitable society.
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Main Responsibilities
The Director will lead the RWORP Initiative, overseeing strategic, operational, and programmatic functions:
Strategic Leadership and Planning
- Develop and implement a long-term strategic plan aligned with Smithsonian priorities.
- Translate the initiative’s vision into actionable programs, partnerships, and measurable outcomes.
- Monitor and evaluate impact, refining strategies over time.
Institutional Collaboration
- Advise the Under Secretary for Education and senior leadership on integrating RWORP goals across Smithsonian units.
- Collaborate with museums, research centers, and education departments to develop and implement public programs, collections, and research initiatives.
Team Leadership and Workforce Development
- Lead a high-performing, inclusive team, focusing on recruitment, mentoring, and career pathways.
- Develop workforce policies in alignment with Smithsonian standards, ensuring employee engagement, equal opportunity, and staff development.
- Cultivate internal networks to enhance cross-unit collaboration and amplify initiative impact.
External Partnerships and Fundraising
- Build relationships with academic institutions, schools, community organizations, funders, and thought leaders.
- Lead fundraising efforts in collaboration with Smithsonian Advancement, including campaigns, project-specific initiatives, and long-term endowment strategies.
Operational Oversight
- Manage budgeting, program evaluation, and operational compliance with institutional policies and grant requirements.
- Authorize expenditures and develop staffing plans to support initiative goals.
- Pursue grants and contracts, ensuring compliance with funding agreements.
Public Engagement and Communications
- Serve as a spokesperson for RWORP, elevating the initiative’s visibility through media, events, and strategic communications.
Candidate Background
Education Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from an accredited college or university. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
- Experience leading an office or initiative with responsibilities in staff management, budgeting, strategic planning, and program evaluation.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Expertise in conceptualizing innovative approaches to public engagement and educational programming.
- Proven ability to direct personnel and coordinate multi-entity organizational operations.
- Mastery in team building, collaboration, and partnership development.
- Experience in fundraising and resource mobilization for institutional programs.
Conditions of Employment
- Pass pre-employment background check and subsequent investigation.
- Complete a probationary period.
- Maintain a bank account for direct deposit.
- Eligible to work in the United States; proof not required to apply.
- Education completed outside the U.S. must be evaluated for equivalency by a recognized organization.
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Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a detailed resume including all relevant paid and unpaid experience, start and end dates (month/year), and average weekly hours. Once the vacancy closes, resumes will be reviewed against qualification requirements, and qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
Application Deadline: February 27, 2026
For more details and to apply, visit the Smithsonian Careers Page.
Reasonable Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities may request accommodations by contacting washingtonka@si.edu. More information is available here.
Additional Information
- Relocation expenses are not provided.
- The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Review the EEO program information for more details.
- Trust Fund positions are funded through various sources, including endowments, grants, contracts, and donations. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; transit benefits; retirement plans; museum discounts; childcare support; and flexible spending accounts.