This position serves as Deputy Director, National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), Smithsonian Institution. The National Museum of Natural History is a science-based museum within the Smithsonian Institution’s complex of museums and research organizations. The NMNH is dedicated to understanding and explaining the natural world and is the most visited natural history museum in the world. With over 145 million specimens and objects, the Museum’s collections represent over 90% of the holdings of the Smithsonian. These collections, and the work of the scientific staff, form the foundation for the Museum’s extensive
public programs, and include exhibitions, education, and outreach programs. The incumbent serves as Deputy Director, NMNH, with overall responsibility, in collaboration with the Director, to formulate and implement strategic directions for the Science programs of the Museum. Inherent in this responsibility is to lead the management of the research departments, collections programs, museum outreach activities on exhibits, education and communications, specialized laboratories, field stations, and other similar programs and partnerships. The incumbent will assure the quality and breadth of all Museum activities and
provide institutional leadership in broader national and international programs.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Participates with the Director to provide executive leadership and direction for overall
planning, development and management of museum programs and activities. Participates or
leads the formulation of long and short-range goals and objectives and issues policy
guidelines. Ensures that policies are carried out effectively. Monitors Strategic Goals, Key
Performance Indicators (KPI’s) and metrics to ensure that the museum is operating at optimum
performance levels. Integrates scientific and outreach leadership to enable the Museum
strategic plan, science strategy and public master plan along with individual departmental
objectives. - Develops and maintains standards and criteria for program development and execution.
Reviews and evaluates proposals for new programs or major shifts or expansions in existing
programs through Museum leadership and established committees recommendations. Makes
decisions on approval or disapproval of such proposals. - Directs and coordinates the activities of subordinate offices and assists the Director in
developing and implementing operating policy, standards and procedures. Develops and
monitors policies to achieve management objectives in areas such as strategic workforce
management, diversity and equal employment opportunity. - Supports the fund raising and related activities, to include programs for constituency-
building, marketing, and Board development in order to increase support and visibility for the
Museum. The Chief Development Officer, while continuing to report to the Director, will work
closely with the Deputy, who will act as Director on fundraising and stewardship of donors
when the Director is unavailable. - Directly supervises all museum leadership with the exception of Development and the Director’s office. Executes performance management of subordinates for both individual and organizational performance. Sets and communicates goals and expectations. Reviews and approves recommendations for personnel actions affecting subordinates. Assures that subordinate supervisors effectively carry out their performance management responsibilities.
- Represents the Director, as required, at a wide variety of Smithsonian policy meetings and conferences, including Congressional hearings. Exercises delegated authority to commit Museum resources or make decisions affecting Museum Programs.
- Together with the Director, the Deputy Director helps to coordinate the activities of the NMNH Advisory Board, working closely with the Board, Executive Committee and various other committees to develop museum priorities. Represents the Director as needed and interacts with Board members on a wide variety of issues.
- Consults, collaborates with, and advises other Federal agencies, State, regional, and local government agencies, private associations and institutions, and representatives of foreign museums — on the establishment and management of museums and related cultural and educational institutions.
- Explores and develops joint programs in cooperation with universities, federal agencies and other SI museums and research facilities. Reviews and recommends appropriate action on applications or proposals for Federal or non-federal grants or contracts to finance research, acquisition or exhibition projects.
- Serves as Acting Director of NMNH in the Director’s absence, with full authority and responsibility for overall management of the Museum.
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
The incumbent receives administrative supervision from the Director, National Museum of Natural History, who provides broad outlines of basic policy, program objectives, and delegated authority and responsibility. The incumbent plans and carries out assigned responsibilities independently. The incumbent consults with the Director on major policy questions or controversial issues, and keeps him informed of all significant programs and potential problems. Work performance is appraised in terms of overall effectiveness in the attainment of program goals and objectives.
SECURITY LEVEL
This position has been reviewed to determine the level of POSITION SENSITIVITY. Based on the nature of the work, the position has been determined to be Public Trust / High Risk. This designation will require (1) a pre-employment Security Agency Check (SAC) for the prospective incumbent; and (2) a subsequent comprehensive background investigation and favorable adjudication in order to continue in the position.
This is a full-time, permanent position to be filled as Trust (private sector, U.S. citizenship not required, proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. required). Salary commensurate with experience. The Smithsonian Institution offers a comprehensive package of benefits. For complete requirements and application procedures, please visit: www.sihr.si.edu and refer to Announcements EX-18-07. Applications must be received online by 5/8/2018 and must reference the announcement number. Applicants will be notified by email when their applications are received.