Assistant Manager, Corporate Relations

About the Organization:

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. Diversity is a critical component of our mission, vision, and values. Our staff exhibits a wide variety of perspectives and experiences which enable us to foster and strengthen an environment of diversity and inclusion. 

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. 

Job Description:

The Assistant Manager (AM) is an opportunity for a new professional to support donor strategy and relationship management to grow corporate support for the Kennedy Center, National Symphony Orchestra, and Washington National Opera. This position reports to the Manager of Corporate Relations and will work collaboratively with other development leadership and staff to plan, develop, and implement the solicitation of corporate sponsorships—both restricted and unrestricted—for their identified portfolio of corporate donors.

The AM will work closely with the Manager to organize and execute solicitation campaigns, spearhead prospect research and strategy, and manage the fulfillment of donor benefits. The AM will work directly with donors to identify interests and liaise with internal staff throughout the Kennedy Center, the WNO and NSO to identify opportunities for corporate engagement.

The AM must be able to exercise discretion in order to prioritize assignments and work under significant pressure, as many projects are time sensitive involving concurrent deadlines and donor interaction. A proactive working style and an eagerness to communicate and problem-solve with a positive attitude is essential.

Duties and Responsibilities:

70%    Fundraising

• Identify, cultivate, and solicit current and prospective donors/sponsors at all levels.
• Coordinate with the Manager and the Special Projects team to establish long and short term plans for fundraising initiatives.
• Initiate and build ongoing relationships with current and prospective donors to meet established fundraising goals.
• Draft/edit proposals, final reports, solicitation letters and other written materials as needed. Includes the submission of budget and financial information.
• Serve as a knowledge center to identified program areas within the NSO/WNO and KC:
  1. Understand program/project/festival plans as they are developed;
  2. Evaluate current programs for funding potential and develop proposals based on known interests of funders;
  3. Seek out new funders based on existing programs and a donor focused strategy of matching programming with funder interests.
  4. Report out updates to the rest of institutional relations staff, including resources and opportunities for engagement by other KC funders. 
• Develop and supervise the preparation of creative, individually tailored written and/or alternative media presentations for proposals and reports.

30%    Special Events/Gala

• Manage KC Honors, WNO, NSO, and Mark Twain Gala fundraising campaigns working directly with special events and affiliate development teams.
• Function as the internal point of contact for event fundraising for your donors, working closely with the special events team and Major Gift’s fundraising professionals.
• Actively work on fundraising for multiple events across the Center in various stages at the same time.
• Steward portfolio through all events related activation opportunities and work directly with corporate contacts to fulfill benefits.

N/A     Maintains current knowledge of the funding industry via all available means; Responds to the needs and requests of Kennedy Center management and staff in a professional and expedient manner; Adheres to all employer policies and procedures.

N/A     Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications:

• B.A. required
• Minimum of 2 years development experience required
• Working knowledge of the performing arts is preferred

Skills & Knowledge Qualifications:

• Strong communication skills are imperative, as are interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Creativity is critical to identifying funding sources, matching their interests to projects, and communicating persuasively the need for funding, both in person and in writing.
• A professional and cordial demeanor, tact, and diplomacy are imperative as the incumbent is regularly in contact with people at all levels of society and business including Kennedy Center leadership, high level corporate executives, volunteers, major donors and prospects, and other personnel.
• Basic knowledge of fundraising and/or relationship management software required (e.g. Tessitura).

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate in person and on the telephone.  The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel in order to operate computer keyboard, office equipment, and other essential tasks.  The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, crouch, and reach with hands and arms.  This position infrequently lifts, carries, or otherwise moves and positions objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment:

• Large, vibrant, fast-paced office that values organization, proactivity, flexibility, efficiency, and teamwork
• Office culture encourages professional growth through internal promotion whenever possible
• Occasional event-based evening and weekend work required
• The noise level in the work environment is moderate

Benefits:

We offer a comprehensive range of benefits to all full-time employees including: Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off, Paid Sick Leave, and a 403(b) Retirement Plan