Assistant Manager, Major Gifts

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. 

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

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. The Kennedy Center's Diversity & Inclusion Council, composed of staff members from various departments across the organization, is committed to guiding and holding the Center accountable in the integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of the work at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 

Job Description

The Assistant Manager of Major Gifts is a dynamic individual who loves to work collaboratively, but is also excited to fully own their own projects. The incumbent enjoys persuasive writing and creating organized systems, but also talking to people about the importance of the arts and arts education.   

The Assistant Manager of Major Gifts assists the Manager of Major Gifts and Director of Major Gifts and Leadership Campaigns in the planning, coordination, and execution of the Major Gifts Campaign (gifts of $50,000+), the Annual Trustees Fund, and the management of the President’s Council.  All of these portfolios combined contribute millions of dollars to the Kennedy Center each year in designated, undesignated, event, and special campaign support.

Responsibilities of the Assistant Manager include research, cultivation, acquisition, stewardship, Board management, and ongoing maintenance of both unrestricted and restricted contributions.  The incumbent manages his/her time, resources, and work load to maximize productivity and financial results; exercises discretion; evaluates complex internal and external relationships; and regularly takes initiative to fulfill campaign objectives and goals. This position works in tandem with and generates work for an Assistant and, at times, an intern.

Duties & Responsibilities

50%   Coordinate and implement all aspects of the Major Gifts Campaign ($2M+ goal) including:

• Drafting and editing all types of written materials (solicitations, acknowledgments, notes, research briefings, proposals, tax receipts, etc.) of varying length and complexity;
• Build ongoing relationships with current and prospective donors in conjunction with the Manager and Executive Leadership team in order to solicit gifts verbally, in writing, and in person
• Identifying opportunities for gift increases and, in coordination with the Manager, creating detailed and personalized solicitation strategies;
• Identifying opportunities for new Major Gifts contributions and researching new prospects;
• Accurately tracking progress, ensuring completion of action items from initial discovery through acquisition, and reporting Fund progress to Manager, Director, and Senior Vice President;
• Actively stewarding donors through direct contact via phone, email, in-person, and written communication and fulfilling donor benefits;
• Develop plans for and implement, in conjunction with the Manager, the President’s Council, a major donor and Emeritus Trustee constituency
• Managing ticket requests, table purchases, and pertinent event details for the Kennedy Center Honors, as well as major galas annually, for all Major Gifts donors;
• Planning and executing donor benefit, cultivation, prospecting, and auxiliary events.

50%   Coordinate and implement key aspects of the Annual Trustees Fund (Multi-million dollar annual goal) in tandem with the Major Gifts and Executive Leadership teams, including:

• Actively stewarding key Board of Trustees members through direct contact via phone, email, in-person, and written communication and fulfilling donor benefits;
• Editing all types of written materials (solicitations, acknowledgments, notes, research briefings, proposals, tax receipts, etc.) of varying length and complexity;
• Identifying opportunities for gift increases and, in coordination with the Manager, creating detailed and personalized solicitation strategies;
• Accurately tracking progress, ensuring completion of action items from initial discovery through acquisition, and reporting Fund progress to Manager, Director, and Senior Vice President;
• Assisting in the development of materials and strategy for the Board of Trustees Development Committee meetings throughout the year;
• Assisting in the facilitation of Board communications between the department of Development and Government Relations;
• Planning and executing donor benefit, cultivation, prospecting, and auxiliary events (same as above)     

N/A   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

• Bachelor’s degree required. 
• Minimum of two to three years of development or related experience required.
• Working knowledge of the performing arts is preferred.

Skills & Knowledge Qualifications

• Superior and professional organizational, written and verbal communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Careful attention to detail and awareness of standard accounting procedures.
• Ability to foresee development needs, generate work for this position and for others supportive of this position, and multitask efficiently.
• A clear understanding of the Kennedy Center mission, and an understanding of the ways in which a fundraising operation works within a large and complex institution.
• Ability to deftly manage many relationships and personality types - both internal among staff members, and external among constituents.
• Ability and confidence to work without close supervision.
• Experience with Tessitura is ideal.

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

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is minimal, however attendance at major fundraising events and performances is required.  In those conditions, the noise level is very loud.

Travel up to 5% may be required, predominately local.

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