Principal Gifts Officer

About The Kennedy Center

“I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit.” – President John F. Kennedy

The Kennedy Center is the nation’s cultural center and living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. Located on the banks of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., the Center presents performances across all genres, and is also home to artistic affiliates Washington National Opera and National Symphony Orchestra. 

At the Kennedy Center, we strive to foster belonging and empowerment at work. We are able to advance our mission because of our committed and passionate employees. We are fortunate to be able to leverage their diverse perspectives, life experiences and skills to inform how our workplace can be a safe, transparent, and replenishing community. The Kennedy Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition, or any other basis protected by law. 

Mission Statement: As the nation's performing arts center, and a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, we are a leader for the arts across America and around the world, reaching and connecting with artists, inspiring and educating communities. We welcome all to create, experience, learn about, and engage with the arts. 

Why Join Us

We offer a comprehensive range of benefits to all full-time employees including: 

• Staff offers for discount tickets
• Retirement plan with organization matching (after 1 year of employment)
• Qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Commuter programs including pre-tax options for discounted parking and SmartBenefits (WMATA)
• Annual Leave, Sick Leave, and Personal Days available immediately upon hire
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits with FSA and HSA options, and paid FMLA
• Flexible work arrangements
• We like to have fun! Check out the Kennedy Center National Dance Day 2023 staff video!

Job Description

The Development Office at the Kennedy Center is a vibrant, dynamic, and creative group of more than 90 professionals responsible for finding new, creative, sustainable, and efficient ways to meet or exceed the institution’s over $80M annual contributed income goal each year. These funds support the organization’s extraordinary programming—world class performances on our many stages at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.; local, regional, and national education programs reaching students, teachers, families, and budding artists; and community-driven social impact programming that upholds the legacy of President Kennedy in our role as his presidential memorial. 

The Principal Gifts Officer is an exciting new role for the Kennedy Center’s Development team designed to support principal giving (gifts of $1 million+) and the philanthropic objectives of the newly formed Kennedy Center Foundation. The Foundation aims to have about 23 members by the end of Fiscal Year 2025. The Principal Gifts Officer will work with the Kennedy Center’s Development leadership team to establish and achieve annual fundraising goals through cultivation, prospect management, and board relationship management. This portfolio focuses on seven-figure gifts, or six-figure commitments across a number of years, whether through annual or endowment giving. 

The Principal Gifts Officer is a strong relationship builder with demonstrated experience in moves management, is capable of contributing to department-wide strategies and institution-wide campaigns and events and is able to prioritize work under pressure. This position operates independently with strategic guidance from the VP, Individual Giving, and is a highly collaborative fundraiser who understands how to cultivate top-tier national philanthropists. This role is supported by a Major Gifts assistant.  

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising: prospect development, cultivation, and solicitation

• Work closely with VP, Individual Giving and KC Foundation leadership to establish aggressive but achievable annual fundraising goals and manage revenue projections three years into the future.
• Work creatively in the identification of prospects, crafting cultivation strategies, and project managing solicitation plans.
• Implement solicitation action items through preparation of materials and exemplary written and verbal communications independently and on behalf of the VP, Individual Giving, the SVP of Development, and the Kennedy Center President.
• Collaborate across teams on: Execution of moves management steps and pipeline/portfolio management with the prospect development, intelligence, and analytics team; Development of high-quality research and materials: concept memos, briefings, proposals and solicitation documents, internal resources, impact reports, etc. with the endowment campaign and communications teams; Where portfolios overlap, work closely with stewardship teams on cultivation strategy, timing, and communication; Track progress toward goal and reporting to leadership, including updating all data and workflow systems, generating reports, and working in Tessitura and Asana; Supervise the work of a department assistant that will support the administrative tasks associated with the principal gifts and Foundation portfolio. 

Donor and board relations management, events, and stewardship

• Curate regular donor outreach and engagement opportunities through highly-personalized interactions and donor-centered best practices with principal gift donors and Foundation members.
• Organize Board engagement opportunities, special events, and facilitate board member participation in other Kennedy Center activities or performances.
• Collaborate with various teams on the coordination of board meetings, including the process for developing materials.
• Collaborate with Special Events and other stewardship teams on signature events (Honors, Mark Twain Prize, WNO and NSO galas) and other cultivation opportunities. 

Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. 
• Minimum 5 – 7 years of nonprofit development experience with direct solicitation of high-net-worth individuals required. 
• Experience managing constituent groups (e.g., fundraising boards, or similar) to advance mission and meet revenue goals.
• Demonstrated experience in the ability to prospect, cultivate, and close six- and seven-figure gifts from top-tier philanthropists.
• Demonstrated track record of building, growing, and maintaining donor relationships.
• Experience supervising staff.
• Superior organizational, written, and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to interface with high-level executives and deftly manage many relationships and personality types - both internal among staff members, and external among constituents.
• Experience with Tessitura or a similar CRM database.
• Careful attention to detail and awareness of standard accounting procedures. 

Additional Information

• Large, vibrant, fast-paced office that values initiative, efficiency, diversity, and teamwork.  
• Office culture encourages professional growth through internal promotion whenever possible.
• Working outside of normal business hours (nights and weekends) can be expected from time to time
• The noise level in the work environment is low, however attendance at major fundraising events and performances is required.  In those conditions, the noise level is very loud.
• Travel up to 20% may be required.
• This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangements, with a minimum of three days on-site per week. This position is not eligible for full-time remote work.