Director, Special Events

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 Director of Special Events leads a full-time staff of nine to direct and manage all development events—including fundraising and benefit events for the Kennedy Center, National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera—in order to raise revenue, increase brand awareness, strengthen community connections, and steward current and prospective supporters to new levels of engagement. Scope of work includes developing fundraising strategy and revenue forecasting; determining the allocation of Center resources (full and part-time staff, budget, facilities, vendors, volunteers, etc.) and securing their use for each event; developing department wide systems for financial tracking, progress reporting, and information sharing; long-term planning for optimal event dates, communications schedules, and revenue growth; collaborating with departments across the institution to ensure event goals and customer engagement standards are met; and managing each event’s budget to meet or exceed net margin targets. As a subject matter expert and leader, the Director approaches the planning, execution, and evaluation of events of all sizes with a solutions-oriented spirit of innovation, providing support and insight to fellow leaders on how to both identify and achieve an event’s goals.

The Director reports to Senior Vice President of Development and manages a staff of nine event planning and fundraising/sales professionals (as well as intermittent contractors) tasked with achieving year-over-year revenue growth and creating exemplary customer engagement experiences for all participants. The incumbent provides exemplary leadership to the team through goal setting, long-term planning, one-on-one coaching and skill development, and the establishment of effective procedures and working norms. The Director regularly collaborates with departments around the institution, with a particular focus on Restaurant Associates (contracted food service provider), Government Relations, Production, and Campus Planning, and provides regular updates on fundraising progress to institutional leadership, major donors, and other senior level volunteers.

Key Responsibilities

Revenue Generation and Budget Management

• Responsible for forecasting the fundraising targets and net margins for all major fundraising events, and ultimately meeting or exceeding those targets.
• Oversees the development and management of multi-year fundraising pipelines to meet revenue targets. Collaborates with frontline teams across the Development Office to ensure goals are clear, motivating, and attainable. Identifies target audiences and builds appropriate fundraising strategies to successfully solicit, retain, and upgrade event donors.
• Provide regular, timely, and accurate reports to departmental and institutional leadership on fundraising and event progress.

Strategic Planning and Logistics Management

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of all aspects of fundraising events, including but not limited to fundraising efficiency (cost/expense), event potential, staff management, customer experience, etc. Oversee the evaluation process for all events; develop and implement strategies to enhance growth potential.
• Collaborate with the Communications team to ensure event communications and media relations strategies are effective, and the Systems team to ensure financial reporting and event management tools are both optimized and well-maintained.
• In collaboration with the Corporate fundraising team, negotiate with Kennedy Center contractors, outside vendors, and producers and manufacturers of desired products and services for events, to secure the best available price for the delivery of same to achieve the most cost-effective event.
• Ensure institutional leadership and key donor stakeholders are appropriately briefed on the purpose, desired outcomes, and key attendees prior to each event (partnering with the Prospect Development team as needed). Collaborate with the Government Relations office to ensure external stakeholders’ participation in events while maintaining the highest levels of protocol, etiquette, and tone.

Leadership and Team Management

• Manage and evaluate the skill, experience, and professional development needs of all direct reports, including temporary staff and contractors. Establish performance measurements to ensure consistent and motivating evaluation and goal setting for all employees.
• Recruit, hire, and oversee training/orientation of all staff members, including seasonal/temporary workers.
• Provide all necessary resources to create a positive, proactive, and creative work environment for all staff. Foster a culture of collaboration and accountability when pursuing individual and organizational performance standards.
• Understand, advocate for, and communicate the annual institutional/departmental priorities and strategic plan. Participate in departmental initiatives that support a healthy workplace, an empowered workforce, and a supportive leadership team.

Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or applicable professional experience.
• 5-8 years proven work experience in event management, including event fundraising, logistics, and vendor management.
• Minimum 3-5 years of management experience.
• Experience working with multiple databases and software platforms is essential. Specific experience with Tessitura is preferred, but not required.
• Comfort learning and utilizing new technology. Awareness of industry-leading event technology platforms and experience delivering technical implementations/developments that streamline administrative work and improve the guest experience.
• Experience with budget analysis and the creation of full financial plans, including a path to goal and expense management methodology, in order to forecast multiyear expense budgets.
• Extensive experience in project management, delegation, and organizational effectiveness, all while operating with a keen attention to detail.
• Experience managing up to high-level leaders, administrators, donors, governmental representatives, and volunteers.
• Passion for the Kennedy Center’s mission. Interest in arts, culture, and arts education is ideal, but not required.
• Self-motivated strategic thinker with a proven record of driving measurable results to achieve institutional, departmental, and team goals.
• Experience navigating large, complex organizations, and collaborating across teams to achieve shared goals. Openness to evaluation, feedback, and collaborative working arrangements to find the best way to work together.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills required, as well as strong interpersonal and presentation skills in order to build effective business relationships internally and externally.
• Patience and ability to perform effectively in a high-pressure environment with diverse and often simultaneous projects.
• Consummate team player, with a leadership approach that relies on confidence, transparency, empathy, and respect. Ability to embrace change, lead through adversity, and promote a culture grounded in adaptability and trust.
• Commitment to flexible work arrangements that support how each employee, and the team, works best.

An individual with the above qualifications should be able to function effectively in this position within six months; one year is needed to fully understand the annual cycle of Kennedy Center events and effectively execute the complex requirements for these events.

Additional Information

• This position infrequently lifts, carries, or otherwise moves and positions objects weighing up to 15 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is moderate.
• Travel up to 20% may be required.
• This position is required to be onsite for event activity, but is also eligible for hybrid working arrangements that accommodate remote work.