Director of Program Management (External Affairs) IS-1001-14

Application Deadline: 13 August 2026

Department: National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Washington, DC

Reporting To: Director of Advancement

Compensation: $143,913 - $187,093 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: July 24, 2026

CLOSING DATE: August 13, 2026

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Permanent

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC

Position sensitivity and risk:
Non-Sensitive/Moderate Risk

Who May Apply:
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

Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) seeks an experienced and results-oriented Director of Program Management (External Affairs) to provide senior operational leadership for advancement and revenue-generating functions. Reporting to the Director of External Affairs, this position oversees the day-to-day operations across gift processing, membership programs, ticketed special events, facility rentals, and earned revenue initiatives that support NZCBI's mission and growth.

The ideal candidate has 8-10 years of experience and is an adept operational leader and collaborative manager with extensive expertise in nonprofit revenue administration, financial oversight, event management, and staff supervision. They excel at translating strategic objectives into efficient administrative and business processes while ensuring compliance with institutional policies. Candidates with a background in project management or chief of staff roles within similar organizations desired.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervisory Leadership and Workforce Management: Provides full supervisory oversight for professional staff engaged in gift processing, membership operations, events, earned revenue programs, and administrative services. Assigns work, establishes priorities, evaluates performance, and leads workforce planning, recruitment, and professional development to build team capacity.
• Advancement Operations, Revenue Administration, and Compliance: Oversees operational processes for gift processing, revenue recording, reconciliation, and fund management. Leads data integrity, reporting, and performance measurement activities while ensuring strict adherence to Smithsonian financial, gift, and procurement policies
• Membership Program Strategy and Management: Provides operational execution and leadership for the NZCBI membership program. Evaluates membership levels, benefits, pricing, and acquisition campaigns, leveraging market analysis and revenue forecasting to drive member growth, retention, and earned revenue.
• Events and Earned Revenue Program Leadership: Directs the planning, execution, and financial evaluation of ticketed special events, facility rentals, and public programs. Establishes performance metrics, quality controls, and operational standards to maximize profitability and visitor engagement in alignment with NZCBI's brand.
• Financial Management, Business Planning, and Procurement: Develops and manages budgets across Advancement, Membership, Events, and Communications teams in coordination with team leads. Leads procurement and contracting processes, manages vendor relationships, conducts financial forecasting, and advises senior leadership on multi-year business strategies.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Deep understanding of advancement operations, membership program administration, event revenue models, and financial management in a nonprofit or cultural institution.
• Proven capability to supervise professional and technical staff, manage performance, assign priorities, and foster team development.
• Experience in budget formulation, financial forecasting, revenue reconciliation, multi-fund management, and contract/vendor negotiation.
• Demonstrated skill in managing ticketed events, public programs, market analysis, and operational logistics.
• Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to represent operational priorities, present analytical reports, and ensure compliance with complex organizational and federal policies.

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 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.