We’re looking for amazing and talented humanists. Join our team!
About the National Humanities Center
The National Humanities Center is a private, nonprofit organization and the only independent institute in the United States dedicated exclusively to advanced study in the humanities. We provide essential support for the humanities by encouraging excellence in scholarship and teaching while affirming the importance of the humanities in American life.
Our mission is accomplished through:
Residential Fellowship Program: Supporting scholars from around the world in their pursuit of significant research.
Educational Programming: Offering programs for teachers and students to deepen their engagement with the humanities.
Public Engagement: Making the humanities accessible to a wider audience through public lectures, exhibitions, and online resources.
The Center is supported by the generosity of individual donors, grants, corporate philanthropy, and institutional sponsors.
Our Work Environment
We cultivate a collegial and inclusive work environment that values diversity and encourages professional development and growth. Our warm and inviting community is comprised of a diverse staff and a vibrant cohort of scholars who share a rich history of meaningful contributions to human knowledge. We collectively foster a culture that is empowering, responsible, intentional, collaborative, and curious. Read more about our core values.
Equal-Opportunity Employer
The National Humanities Center is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Current Openings
Vice President of Development
The National Humanities Center is seeking a skilled and creative development professional who will advance the philanthropic mission of the organization. A strategic partner to the President & Director and key member of the senior leadership team, the Vice President of Development provides vision and direction for all aspects of fundraising and leads a two-person Development team. The Vice President of Development is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive, multi-year fundraising strategy to secure transformative major and planned gifts that support the Center’s endowment, fellowships, programmatic needs, and other strategic objectives.
The ideal candidate will be a dynamic, experienced leader with a deep understanding of fundraising in higher education and nonprofit sectors. This role requires a proven ability to mentor a team, build lasting relationships with high-level donors, and translate institutional priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities. The Vice President of Development reports directly to the President & Director.
Position Overview
In partnership with the President & Director, Board of Trustees, and Development team, the Vice President of Development will be responsible for leading, planning, and implementing the Center’s development programs, which include individual giving (annual and major gifts), institutional and corporate sponsorships, grants and foundations. The Vice President of Development will play a key role in ensuring the Center has the annual revenue to operate and grow its programs and will track and share progress toward fundraising goals regularly with the President & Director, the Board of Trustees, and the larger team.
The successful leader will need to be a strategic thinker as well as be able to execute the steps needed for the organization’s fundraising programs and activities. The Vice President of Development will carry a portfolio of top donors and prospects and help establish a moves management system whose execution is shared among the President & Director, Board volunteers, staff, and others. The ideal candidate will establish rapport with foundations, corporations, and individual donors and investors who share the vision and values of the Center and will strategically work to expand the community connected to the organization.
The Vice President of Development will supervise a team of two full-time staff members—the Development Manager and Development Coordinator—and will be instrumental in assessing the needs of the development operation and creating new positions to expand the program, engaging a team of staff and volunteers in meaningful development opportunities to grow the base of support. Their peers on the senior leadership team include the Vice President for Knowledge Management and Digital Services, the Vice President for Public Engagement, the Vice President for Scholarly Programs, the Vice President for Finance and Operations, the Vice President for Communications and Marketing, and the Vice President for Education Programs.
Detailed information about position responsibilities, qualifications, and compensation, as well as information about how to apply, can be found here.