Chief Advancement Officer

Overview

The Opportunity. The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) serves as the senior leader responsible for all aspects of fundraising and external advancement for the museum. The CAO will collaborate closely with the Director, Senior Leadership Team, and Advisory Board to build and sustain partnerships with individuals, foundations, and corporations that advance the museum’s mission and impact.

The CAO leads an integrated advancement program encompassing principal, major, and annual giving; institutional giving from foundations and corporations; membership; advancement operations; and stewardship. The position oversees a high-performing team and reports directly to the Director, serving as a key strategic partner in shaping and executing the museum’s vision for growth and engagement.

A new CAO joins NMAA at a pivotal moment. The museum has just launched its 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, embarked on a major fundraising Second Century Campaign in tandem with the Smithsonian-wide campaign for Our Shared Future, and reintroduced itself to the public as a vital platform for cultural leadership, research, and exchange. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a dynamic advancement leader to play a defining role in realizing the promise of this transformation.

• Strategic Leadership and Planning
  • Partner with the Director and Senior Leadership Team to craft and implement a multi-year development operating plan aligned with the museum’s strategic priorities.
  • Establish key metrics and goals for fundraising performance; regularly assess progress and adapt tactics to meet evolving institutional needs.
  • Collaborate with program leaders to identify, refine, and translate revenue-raising priorities into compelling opportunities for support.
  • Oversee the development and management of the Office of Advancement’s annual operating budget.
• Campaign and Fundraising Strategy
  • Lead all major fundraising initiatives to support the museum’s broad and evolving programmatic needs.
  • Manage all aspects of the museum’s Second Century Campaign with a particular focus on major and principal gift donors.
  • Serve as a visible and inspiring fundraiser and ambassador for the National Museum of Asian Art, strengthening the museum’s culture of philanthropy and broadening its base of support.
  • Lead efforts to increase participation in the museum’s recently launched national membership program with a focus on revenue generation and major gift pipeline development.
• Major Gifts and Donor Relations
  • Maintain a strong focus on frontline fundraising and prospect identification, actively building a robust pipeline of new major and principal gift prospects.
  • Personally manage a portfolio of current and prospective donors at the highest levels of giving capacity, including both individual and institutional funders.
  • Establish and nurture direct, enduring relationships with donors and prospects, ensuring a high standard of stewardship and engagement.
  • Collaborate across Smithsonian units to enhance donor relations, develop fundraising materials, and plan cultivation events of all sizes.
• Team Leadership and Collaboration
  • Oversee and develop a high-performing advancement team, fostering an environment of commitment, accountability, and professionalism.
  • Set annual goals for staff, monitor progress, and provide mentorship and professional growth opportunities.
  • Work in close partnership with the Smithsonian’s central Office of Advancement, ensuring coordination of strategy and access to shared resources and expertise. The Chief Advancement Officer will have the support of this comprehensive office and access to all resources therein to ensure coordination of fundraising processes.
• Communications and Materials Development
  • Oversee the creation of effective, compelling, and visually engaging fundraising materials, proposals, and donor communications.
  • Ensure all advancement communications reflect the museum’s mission, vision, and brand voice, and inspire philanthropic engagement.

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in progressively responsible development leadership positions, which includes work in all functional areas (individual giving,…