NSO Individual Giving Assistant Manager

***Please submit a cover letter for consideration***

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 Assistant Manager, NSO Individual Giving, assists the Director of NSO Operations and Stewardship in the management and long-term development of the NSO National Trustees (donors $15,000+) and designated, programmatic giving campaigns, including research, cultivation, acquisition, stewardship, and ongoing maintenance for both restricted and unrestricted contributions. This position holds a donor portfolio comprising NSO National Trustees and other mid- and major gifts donors and prospects supporting specific program areas. Additionally, this position ensures the implementation of engagement activities around programmatic activity and maintains accurate revenue and expense budget projections. The incumbent serves as a development liaison and assists with and manages other special initiatives and events as necessary. This position generates work for at least one Development Assistant, all reporting to the Director of NSO Operations and Stewardship.

The Assistant Manager must be able to exercise discretion, effectively prioritize their time for both short- and long-term project management, maintain database records for effective fundraising success, and develop and grow personal relationships with a range of NSO contributors. An eagerness to communicate and problem solve with a positive attitude and creativity is essential.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Portfolio - Manage a portfolio of donors for the National Trustees campaign, programmatic/designated funding areas, and major fundraising events:

• Steward a portfolio of active and prospective NSO donors via direct contact through phone, email, in-person visits/events, and off-site events and travel
• Qualify, and strategically cultivate donors for new, renewing, and upgraded giving by assessing research briefings, custom cultivation and solicitation strategies, solicitations and proposals, and soliciting gifts personally
• Ensure prompt and appropriate donor stewardship by overseeing correct gift entry, acknowledgments, tax receipts, database updates, involvement of NSO leadership, recognition/crediting, event and engagement invitations, benefits fulfillment, and overall portfolio moves management tracking
• Work directly with the Prospect Development, Intelligence and Analytics and Special Events teams to identify potential upgrade and new National Trustees, programmatic funders, and major fundraising event sponsors

Campaign Strategy & Management - Support the Director of NSO Operations and Stewardship and Chief Development Officer in all aspects of implementing NSO individual giving campaign strategy:

• Develop solicitation materials such as one-pagers, proposals, presentations, and brochures in support of the National Trustees and programmatic funding campaigns, including the Amici di Gianandrea and Noseda Era Fund
• Develop campaign strategy and work cross-departmentally to activate plans for one-time and ongoing designated and programmatic funding opportunities and appeals
• Oversee the financial tracking and performance monitoring of the NSO National Trustees and specific programmatic funding campaigns, including reporting progress to the Director of NSO Operations and Stewardship and Chief Development Officer on a regular basis and recommending strategy and projection adjustments
• Serve as primary contact and liaison for individual donor programmatic crediting and recognition
• Responsible for all Development budget reporting to senior leadership and Board of Directors, and assist with projection changes as needed

Donor Engagement, Travel, and Meetings - Support the Director of NSO Operations and Stewardship, Special Events, and broader NSO development teams in implementing NSO donor engagement and travel strategy:

• Proactively engage portfolio donors through formal and informal (i.e. attending rehearsals, meeting in lounges pre-concert, arranging meals and meetings with Development staff and/or NSO staff and artists) engagement opportunities throughout the season and in support of individual moves management strategies and fundraising goals
• Plan and develop/coordinate content, including talking points, meeting booklets, and presentations, for three annual NSO National Trustees business meetings
• Assist in conceiving and designing thoughtful and strategic donor engagement opportunities including small cultivation events, large-scale donor benefit events, and national and international travel opportunities connected to specific programs and National Trustees meeting schedules
• Serve as primary liaison and coordinator within broader NSO development team to leverage NSO programming for strategic donor engagement
• Personally staff on-site and off-site NSO and Kennedy Center events, both locally and nationally, in support of donor and prospect cultivation and solicitation strategies

Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 2-4 years development or related experience required
• Working knowledge of the performing arts is preferred, specifically classical music
• Superior organizational, written, and verbal communications and interpersonal skills
• Careful attention to detail
• Proven organization and prioritization skills
• Ability to exercise discretion and tact with staff and donors
• Ability and confidence to work without close supervision
• Ability to delegate, multitask, and manage projects with varying timelines
• Experience with Tessitura is ideal