Lead the Future: Associate Director for Planning and Project Management at the Smithsonian
Are you a visionary leader with a passion for preserving history and shaping public spaces? The Smithsonian Institution is seeking an Associate Director for Planning and Project Management for the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum. This role is a unique opportunity to contribute to one of the most significant cultural projects in the nation.
Job Responsibilities
The Associate Director provides high-level strategic direction, overseeing the complex interplay between facility operations and exhibition development. Responsibilities include:
- Strategic Oversight: Advise museum leadership on project feasibility and resource allocation.
- Project Management: Govern project frameworks for capital improvements and exhibition installations.
- Team Leadership: Supervise multidisciplinary staff and external contractors to ensure performance expectations are met.
- Operational Excellence: Manage maintenance planning and infrastructure modernization to ensure safe and efficient operations.
Comparison of Key Focus Areas
| Focus Area | Key Responsibility | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Capital Projects | Managing scope, budget, and construction | Infrastructure growth |
| Exhibition Planning | Coordinating design and installation | Public engagement |
| Facilities Management | Ensuring safety and maintenance | Operational reliability |
Requirements
To be eligible, candidates must possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-13 level. Your resume must clearly articulate your experience with project scopes, schedules, budgets, and the management of multifaceted teams. Note that copying language from this announcement will result in disqualification; provide concrete examples of your work.
Salary and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $143,913 to $187,093 per year. Beyond the salary, the Smithsonian offers a robust benefits package, including health and life insurance, a generous retirement program, and paid leave. Recruitment incentives may also be available for top-tier candidates.
Application Tips
- Be Specific: Quantify your project budgets and the size of the teams you have managed.
- Adhere to Constraints: Ensure your resume is exactly two pages or fewer.
- Verify Requirements: Review the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook to ensure you meet the necessary grade requirements.
This position offers the rare chance to build a legacy within the Smithsonian Institution. If you have the expertise to manage high-stakes capital and exhibition projects, we encourage you to submit your application and help write the next chapter of American history.
Why This Associate Director For Planning And Project Management Job Matters
Shape the future of American history at the Smithsonian Institution—lead world-class capital projects and exhibition planning in the heart of Washington, D.C.
Associate Director For Planning And Project Management Job Overview
The Smithsonian American Women's History Museum is seeking an experienced Associate Director for Planning and Project Management. This pivotal leadership role involves managing complex exhibition, capital, and facilities projects that bring untold stories of women to the forefront of the National Mall. You will direct multidisciplinary teams, oversee substantial budgets, and implement strategic frameworks that ensure the museum’s vision becomes a reality.
Requirements for Associate Director For Planning And Project Management
- One year of specialized experience at the GS-13 level or equivalent.
- Experience managing complex capital, facilities, and exhibition projects within a museum or similar cultural institution.
- Proven history of directing multidisciplinary staff and external contractors.
- Expertise in managing project scopes, schedules, budgets, and technical controls.
- Ability to resolve complex technical issues and competing priorities.
- Completion of a two-page maximum resume highlighting specific, non-copied experience.
- Must be a U.S. citizen.
Preferred Qualifications for Associate Director For Planning And Project Management
- Experience with preventative maintenance and infrastructure modernization.
- Expertise in establishing organizational project management frameworks.
- Track record of managing large-scale public-facing exhibition installations.
- Exceptional communication skills for advising senior leadership on project feasibility.
Federal Benefits & Perks
- ✓Comprehensive health insurance options
- ✓Life insurance coverage
- ✓Retirement program enrollment
- ✓Generous vacation and sick leave accrual
- ✓Paid federal holidays
- ✓Flexible Spending Account eligibility
- ✓Potential for recruitment incentives
💡 How to Apply Associate Director For Planning And Project Management Job & Insider Tips
Application Steps for Associate Director For Planning And Project Management Job
- Log into your USAJOBS account.
- Prepare a resume that does not exceed two pages, detailing your specific project management experience.
- Answer the online assessment questionnaire to demonstrate competency levels.
- Upload all required supporting documents, such as transcripts or veteran preference documentation.
- Submit your complete application package by the closing date.
💡 General Tips
- Do not copy job announcement language directly into your resume; describe your actual accomplishments.
- Clearly state hours worked per week to verify your experience level.
- Use the USAJOBS resume builder to ensure all required fields are included.
- Save a PDF of your application status as a receipt of submission.
- Review your responses to the occupational questionnaire for consistency with your resume content.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the focus of this position?
The role focuses on the high-level strategic management of the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum’s capital projects, facility operations, and exhibition planning.
Are relocation expenses covered?
No, relocation expenses are not paid, though recruitment incentives may be authorized for qualified candidates.
What is the page limit for the resume?
The resume must be no more than two pages long.
Job from Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex. Dedicated to "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery," the Smithsonian encompasses 21 museums, 14 research centers, and the National Zoo. The American Women's History Museum represents a bold step in expanding the American story, ensuring the contributions of women are recognized and celebrated on the National Mall.