Application Deadline: 17 March 2026
Department: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
Location: Cambridge, MA
Compensation: $120,548 - $156,715 / year
Description
OPENING DATE: February 17, 2026
CLOSING DATE: March 17, 2026
SERIES/GRADE: 1001/13
TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Indefinite (Non-Federal)
DIVISION: Director's Office
LOCATION: Cambridge, MA
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position is open to all eligible candidates.
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, Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).
Conditions of Employment- Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required.
- Complete a Probationary Period if applicable.
- 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
INTRODUCTION
The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) is a joint institution connecting the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) and the Harvard College Observatory (HCO). The CfA is a diverse astrophysical institution at which more than eight hundred scientists are engaged in a broad program of research in astronomy, astrophysics, and earth and space sciences. The CfA is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. Its multiple programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch as well as for use in large ground-based telescope facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are conducted primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support. The SAO Advancement program was established to engage individuals, foundations, corporations, and other organizations in furthering the Smithsonian’s mission through philanthropic support.
The SAO Advancement program was established to engage individuals, foundations,
corporations, and other organizations in furthering the Smithsonian’s mission through
philanthropic support.
Smithsonian Scientists Taking Astronomy to Rural Schools (“Smithsonian STARS”)
There are approximately 32,200 rural schools serving between 9.5-9.8 million children in the United States. When compared to their city counterparts, rural schools are significantly underfunded—with limited or no access to field trips that go to museums and science centers—and more than 64% are in areas of prevalent poverty. This typically results in rural students having limited opportunities to engage in meaningful firsthand experiences with STEM sciences, including astronomy.
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory aims to bridge the gap for rural students through Smithsonian STARS, by providing hands-on learning experiences leveraging the incredible dark skies over rural communities. These experiences are enhanced by lesson plans that meet Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and plug right into each state's science curriculum.
Summary:
The Assistant Director of Advancement (“Assistant Director”) is responsible for securing contributions and support from public and private sources, including from individuals, foundations, corporations, and other partners, for the Smithsonian STARS program by discovering and cultivating a productive relationship with prospective donors. The Assistant Director is responsible for growing and managing prospect activity for a portfolio of prospects and creating action plans for Smithsonian STARS. The Assistant Director is responsible for developing and executing fundraising efforts for Smithsonian STARS which contribute to SAO’s overall fundraising goal. The Assistant Director will report to the Director, SAO Advancement, with a dotted line to the Executive Director, Smithsonian STARS
MAJOR DUTIES
The Assistant Director will be part of a comprehensive advancement program for the SAO that may include functions such as major gift solicitations from individuals, corporations, and foundations; working with the advisory board; facilitating donor communications; national donor discovery; and assuring best practices are followed regarding donor relations and stewardship, as well as monitoring advancement operations.
Program Management: Cultivates and manages relationships with prospective and current donors for Smithsonian STARS. This includes all aspects of the planning, development, and execution of projects, in collaboration with staff, consultants, and volunteers as appropriate. Determine strategies in accordance with donor interests and SAO/Smithsonian objectives.
Prospect Management: Establishes and maintains close and direct relationships with key donors and prospects and represents Smithsonian STARS to them.
Strategic Planning: Collaborates with other Smithsonian and SAO team members engaged in advancement and fundraising work. The Assistant Director advises others on matters relating to Smithsonian STARS
Strategic Advancement Leadership: Serves as a principal advisor to the Director of Advancement. Leads development of multi‑year advancement plans to support STARS and other organizational priorities.
Fundraising Program Management: Oversees planning and execution of major gift, annual giving, planned giving, and corporate/foundation fundraising programs.
Donor Relations & Stewardship: Directs donor engagement activities, including recognition programs, stewardship events, impact reporting, and personalized outreach. Represents the organization at high‑visibility events, donor meetings, and external engagements.
Communications & Brand Advancement: Supervises creation of related communications, including digital content, newsletters, annual reports, and campaign materials. Coordinates with other offices to ensure unified external communication.
Data, Analytics & Reporting: Maintains accurate and timely donor records, contact reports, and portfolio activity in the data system.
Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Basic Requirements:
Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience at or above the grade 12 level in similar positions. Specialized experience is experience that has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the work of the position, such as fundraising experience in national non-profit or complex higher education contexts.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required:
- Mastery of advancement, fundraising, donor relations, and philanthropic strategy sufficient to design and lead complex, multi‑year initiatives.
- Expert knowledge of major gifts, campaign planning, donor psychology, and nonprofit financial structures.
- Skill in interpreting federal regulations, ethical standards, and institutional policies governing fundraising.
- Ability to advise senior leaders, negotiate high‑value commitments, and develop institution‑wide advancement strategies
- Expert knowledge and mastery of fundraising and marketing methods, techniques, and practices to develop new concepts and approaches.
- Strong oral presentation skills to engage and inform donors and donor prospects and negotiate significant gifts on behalf of the Smithsonian or SAO.
- 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, corporate, or institutional donors of diverse backgrounds and interests.
- Skill in analyzing individuals, corporations, and institutions to develop prospect and donor portfolios in achieving fundraising goals.
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
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.
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.
Relocation expenses are not paid.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact
hr@cfa.harvard.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.
The Smithsonian Institution is an
Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: https://www.si.edu/oeo.
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer. Please visit the SAO website at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/
