Deputy Director for Strategic Partnerships

Title: Deputy Director for Strategic Partnerships

State Role Title: Gen Admin Manager III

Hiring Range: $181,000-$220,000

Pay Band: 7

Agency: The Science Museum of Virginia

Location: NOVA Science Center

Agency Website: https://smv.org/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Agency Overview:

The Science Museum works to inspire Virginians to enrich their lives through science. We create compelling and thought-provoking experiences that connect our community with the science all around them.

For almost 50 years, the Science Museum has been curating relevant science stories that are delivered through engaging exhibits, programming, demos, workshops, films, content and more. As we look toward our 50th anniversary as an institution, we’re pushing ourselves to be even more important in our community’s life to elevate science as the answer to our complicated world.

The Science Museum is unlike others in our field. We are a state agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia that benefits from state operating support as well as private funds raised through our Foundations to help support the mission. This support provides operational stability and growth opportunities as we evolve to not only meet the needs of our community, but also increase our impact. Our flagship location in Richmond and our satellite in Danville have reached two straight years of record attendance. The opening of our Northern Virginia campus in 2027 is poised to push annual visitation over 800,000, extending our reach and impact across the Commonwealth as we empower Virginians to see science not just as knowledge, but as a vital tool for shaping a better future.

Job Description:

The Science Museum is seeking a Deputy Director for Strategic Partnerships who can build influential relationships and advance the partnerships that will shape our future.

In this senior leadership role, you will cultivate relationships with government leaders, corporate partners, community organizations, and philanthropic supporters to advance the Science Museum’s mission and long-term growth. You will lead governmental relations, legislative and budget initiatives, and strategic partnerships while advising senior leadership and representing the Science Museum with key stakeholders across the Commonwealth. This position will also coordinate with the three Foundations that support the Science Museum’s mission to execute high-impact funding opportunities.

Interested candidates must apply at https://jobs.virginia.gov/.

Benefits:

The position offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, FSA, HRA, HSA, life insurance, 457 and pension plan, short and long-term disability and employee assistance program. The Science Museum has a generous paid time off policy, including vacation leave, four days family & personal leave, eight sick days per year and 12 paid holidays.

The salary range for this position is $181,000-$220,000. Actual compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, certifications, internal equity and applicable market considerations at the time of offer.

Minimum Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess demonstrated experience and knowledge of governmental relations, legislative processes, public policy, state budget development, strategic partnerships, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement. The candidate will demonstrate the ability to develop and implement strategies aligned with institutional priorities; analyze legislation, policy, budgets, and funding opportunities; and cultivate relationships with elected officials, government agencies, corporate partners, donors, and community stakeholders. Strong executive communication, negotiation, strategic planning, and project coordination skills are essential, as is the ability to advise senior leadership and Boards, exercise sound judgment and diplomacy, and manage competing priorities while advancing the Science Museum’s mission and representing the institution with senior-level stakeholders and statewide partners.

Additional Considerations

Experience working with state government, legislative bodies, public-sector agencies, or nonprofit, educational, or cultural institutions is a plus.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

The Science Museum of Virginia will accept ONLY online applications for all Science Museum employment opportunities. To be considered for this position, you must submit a Commonwealth of Virginia application or resume through the on-line “Virginia Jobs” (RMS) employment site no later than 11:55 p.m. on the closing date listed. If the position is an open until filled recruitment; the position will remain open for a minimum of 5 workdays or until the position is filled. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and additional qualifications stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided on the application; therefore, it is essential to provide detailed information. Submitting an application lacking in detail, may impact your interview eligibility. The RMS website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration. Please refer to your RMS account for the status of your application and this position. Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days of the closing date. Computers are available for applying for jobs in public libraries and the Virginia Employment Commission offices.

The Science Museum seeks motivated people of all backgrounds. We value diversity of cultures, races and ethnicities, gender expressions, and abilities. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer the Science Museum Welcomes Veterans to apply! We provide hiring preference to Veterans and Members of the Virginia National Guard in support of Executive Order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Virginia National Guard Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application or resume.

Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a criminal history background check. A record of criminal history does not automatically bar an applicant from consideration. Employment verification will be conducted to include current/previous supervisory employment reference checks.

The Science Museum will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: ‪804.372.3766

Email: hr@smv.org

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Advertised: 29 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 06 Nov 2026 Eastern Standard Time

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