Proposed changes will decentralize Smithsonian management structure

Secretary Bunch describes the organizational changes he proposes to make to the Smithsonian’s management structure.

Over the past seven months I have been keenly focused on developing and outlining my top priorities for the Institution: amplifying our education activities, creating a virtual Smithsonian, convening critical contemporary conversations, and driving diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion across the organization and throughout our programming.

A more cohesive leadership team

After careful consideration, it is clear to me that in order to achieve these objectives, we need to build an even more cohesive leadership team that is designed to implement pan-institutional solutions, create greater leadership capacity to focus on our core activities with an added emphasis on education and science, and better integrate our work across the entire Institution.

I do not believe that our current structure maximizes our ability to achieve our goals, so I have submitted a reorganization request to Congress that refines the organizational structure with four Under Secretary positions reporting to the Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer. These changes will allow us to focus on our core areas of existing work, while also giving us the capability to build out new activities.

Subject to Congressional approval

It is important to note that this proposed structure is subject to congressional approval:

• The new Office of the Under Secretary for Museums and Culture will oversee Smithsonian history and art museums, cultural centers, and the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Exhibits, International Relations, and National Collections Program.
• The new Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Research will oversee the science museums and science research centers as well as the Scientific Diving Program, Smithsonian Scholarly Press, and Smithsonian Libraries and Smithsonian Institution Archives. The office will focus on the Smithsonian’s collective scientific efforts and commitment to research especially as we address some of the most important issues of our time, such as biodiversity, global health, climate change, species conservation, space, and astrophysics.
• The new Office of the Under Secretary for Education will better position the Smithsonian’s educational objectives and help us “reach every classroom” in our country by creating a holistic strategy for Smithsonian education. The Office of Fellowships and Internships will be added to this organization.
• The Office of the Under Secretary for Administration will oversee human resources, finance, information technology, facilities, security, audience research (SOAR), and Smithsonian Enterprises.
• The Office of Advancement, Office of Communications and External Affairs, and Director of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs will continue reporting to me. The Office of the General Counsel will continue reporting to the Office of the Secretary and the Board of Regents.

I would note that Meroë and I do not think of this structure as a series of new stovepipes. To the contrary, we assume that units will continue to work horizontally across the organization, just as they do today. Indeed, we will not accomplish as much, or be as effective, without leaders working across organizational boundaries. I am confident this newly created structure will foster greater knowledge and collaboration, and increase communication, openness, and transparency. We do not intend to add layers of bureaucracy, and our promise is to adjust as necessary.

I recognize that organizational changes can be difficult. Over the coming weeks and months, we will be transitioning some of our business practices to this new paradigm, but we will not be launching searches for new Under Secretaries until we receive the necessary approvals. In the coming weeks, we will be designating individuals to lead the Education and Science and Research efforts in acting capacities so that we can apply sufficient attention to these important areas.

We will be able to answer some questions over the coming weeks, but others will need to be addressed once we have the necessary approval from Congress. I appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate this important process.

As we transition, it is important to me to hear from you. I look forward to engaging with you in staff meetings and while visiting your organizations. I encourage you to share your thoughts with me at those meetings and at SmithsonianSecretary@si.edu.

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