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Smithsonian Project Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Bridgewater Studios Inc

Project Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

Project Manager - Themed & Location-Based Experiences Date: 10/22/2025 Bridgewater Studio is ... Smithsonian, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Universal Studios, Nike, and LinkedIn. Who We ...

Bridgewater Studios Inc

Project Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

Project Manager - Themed & Location-Based Experiences Date: 10/22/2025 Bridgewater Studio is ... Smithsonian, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Universal Studios, Nike, and LinkedIn. Who We ...

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$44.5K

$96.6K

$154.5K

How much do smithsonian project manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for smithsonian project manager in the United States is $96,560.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,000.00 and $113,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by a Smithsonian Project Manager when coordinating cross-departmental initiatives?

Smithsonian Project Managers often navigate complex projects that involve multiple departments, each with its own priorities and processes. A key challenge is ensuring clear communication among stakeholders, balancing diverse expectations, and managing timelines while adhering to Smithsonian standards and compliance requirements. Project Managers must be adept at facilitating collaboration, resolving conflicts, and adapting to evolving project scopes, especially when working on high-profile exhibitions or research initiatives. Staying organized and proactively addressing potential roadblocks are critical to delivering successful outcomes.

What are Smithsonian Project Managers?

Smithsonian Project Managers are professionals responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing projects within the Smithsonian Institution, which includes museums, research centers, and cultural programs. They manage budgets, timelines, and teams to ensure projects are completed successfully and align with the institution's mission. Their work may involve exhibition development, facility renovations, educational initiatives, or research projects. Strong organizational and communication skills are essential, as they often collaborate with curators, educators, scientists, and contractors.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Smithsonian Project Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Smithsonian Project Manager, you need expertise in project management, budget oversight, and experience with cultural or museum-related projects, usually supported by a relevant degree and PMP or similar certification. Familiarity with project management software like Microsoft Project, budgeting tools, and museum-specific databases is typically required. Exceptional organizational skills, stakeholder communication, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams are vital soft skills in this role. These abilities are crucial for ensuring that complex Smithsonian projects are delivered on time, within scope, and in alignment with institutional goals.

What is the difference between Smithsonian Project Manager vs Smithsonian Curator?

AspectSmithsonian Project ManagerSmithsonian Curator
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in project management, related field; PMP certification often preferredBachelor's or master's degree in history, art, or related field; often requires specialized knowledge
Work EnvironmentCoordinates projects across departments, manages timelines and budgetsResearches, acquires, and interprets collections; works in galleries or archives
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in project planning and execution within Smithsonian institutionsUsed in curation, collection management, and exhibition planning

The Smithsonian Project Manager focuses on overseeing projects, budgets, and timelines within Smithsonian institutions, ensuring successful execution of initiatives. In contrast, the Smithsonian Curator specializes in managing collections, conducting research, and developing exhibitions. Both roles are essential but serve different functions within the Smithsonian ecosystem.

Product Manager, IS-2210-12

Product Manager, IS-2210-12

Smithsonian Institution

Washington, DC • On-site

$111K - $131K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted just now

Smithsonian Institution rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 23 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

1st of 26 rated museums

Job description

OPEN DATE: May 7, 2026                  
CLOSING DATE: June 6, 2026 *
This announcement will close once 250 applications have been received, which may occur prior to the listed closing date. *        
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
Promotion Potential 
APPOINTMENT TYPE:  Permanent   
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC 

Position sensitivity and risk: 
Non-sensitive (NS) Moderate Risk (5-C)
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. 
Smithsonian's Office of Digital and Innovation is seeking a Product Manager to join its Engagement Solutions team-a group at the forefront of advancing technology initiatives that strengthen the Institution's relationships with its audiences. This team leads projects from concept and design to launch and ongoing improvement, ensuring digital tools and platforms evolve in step with Smithsonian's strategic goals and the diverse needs of its communities. This transformative project will modernize how Smithsonian Institution unifies audience data and experiences across its many museums and research centers. 
This position will report to ODI's Chief of Engagement Solutions and will provide support to the Smithsonian's Salesforce implementation, including related technologies supporting an overall ecosystem of engagement by leading end-to-end product development of the platform and collaborating and building alignment with key stakeholders to ensure ongoing success.  
The official title of the position is Information Technology Specialist (Policy and Planning) with a working title of Product Manager.

Drives the execution of all processes in the product lifecycle, including product and market research, planning requirement and roadmap development, and product development, launch and sustainment.
Provides visibility into product progress, communicates blockers and challenges to stakeholders and leadership. Facilitates use of agile methodology by development teams. Uses evidence (user research, analytics, and other metrics) to make product decisions. Practices human-centered design, usability testing, feature prioritization, DevOps, test-driven development, and other relevant concepts.
Serves as a liaison between the stakeholders and the project teams, delivering feedback to the team, enabling them to make necessary changes to product performance or presentation. 
Assists development teams and product owners in navigating complex bureaucratic relationships to bring stakeholders together around a common product vision and strategy.
Education and Experience:  To qualify for this position, applicants must possess a bachelor's degree (B.A.) from an accredited four-year college or university and 5-7 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience required for this position is as follows:
  • Knowledge of a variety of product management best practices for the assessment and improvement of product effectiveness or the improvement of management processes and systems.
  • Comprehensive skill in project management, preparing and delivering reports, and making recommendations to management. 
  • Skill to plan, organize and direct team study work/special projects and to influence management to support and implement recommendations.
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.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact NewtonR@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.  To learn more, please review the Smithsonian's Accommodation Procedures. 
 
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo   

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