Manager, Programming

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 2022 staff video!

Job Description

Join a dynamic, creative, and dedicated group of arts administrators in the Kennedy Center’s Programming Department. The shared services team includes three unique and boundary pushing departments – Chamber, Classical New Music, and Jazz; Comedy and Institutional Programming, and Hip Hop Culture and Contemporary Music, allowing for exciting cross-discipline collaboration with an emphasis on work with Artistic Directors Renée Fleming, Jennifer Koh, Jason Moran, and Q-Tip.

The Manager, Programming oversees the operations of the Shared Services department, managing staffing, logistics, and internal communications in support of the Kennedy Center’s Chamber, Classical New Music, and Jazz; Comedy and Institutional Programming, and Hip Hop Culture and Contemporary Music Departments.

The Manager must be able to make decisions and exercise discretion in order to prioritize assignments and work under significant pressure, as many projects are time sensitive and involve concurrent deadlines. An eagerness to take initiative, communicate and problem solve with a positive attitude is essential. The Manager will encourage balance and equity of resources for the success of all programs for the entire department. The Manager will also be an internal advocate and leader for the Shared Services department across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Oversees staffing, contracting, and logistics for all performances, events, and/or activities for the Kennedy Center’s Chamber, Classical New Music and Jazz; Comedy and Institutional Programming, and Hip-Hop Culture and Contemporary Music seasons.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Manages staff of full-time employees in the Shared Services department.
• Grows and manages roster of part-time Production Assistants in the Shared-Services department.
• Hires and manages contract line producers for specific projects in collaboration with respective Director.
• Creates schedules for the department, staffing plans, and liaises with the Artistic Planning Office and other internal departments to ensure all Shared Services artistic departments have sufficient administrative and show duty support throughout each respective department’s performance seasons.
• Ensures that support staff has information and materials he/she needs to successfully advance a performance/event/festival, etc.
• Oversees temporary and overtime staffing budget.
• Creates and socializes office norms, department templates, and project management tools to support staff and directors to streamline the Shared Services Department’s processes.

Collaborates with Directors to manage and strategize current and future season programming based on resources available.

• Identify pinch points throughout current and future seasons and strategize best ways to resource all programs and events effectively.
• Monitor trends from past seasons to advise on future season programming decisions.
• Manage “PodSquad” date allocation among Chamber, Classical New Music, and Jazz; Hip Hop Culture and Contemporary Music; and Comedy and Institutional Programming in the planning calendar(s) in coordination with Campus Planning.
• Represent and advocate for all departments in venue calendar meetings.

Line produce festivals, concerts, and events. Tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Internal team management, talent procurement, artist advance, contracting, coordinating production elements, hiring production staff, and other duties as needed per event.
• Liaise between outside organizations and internal departments including marketing, digital, PR, government relations, and development.
• Create and manage budgets for large-scale projects. Report out on performance/event/initiative results.

Program design and creation. Work with Directors and support staff to design and develop thematic ideas, research and evaluate trends and new programming ideas. Review institutional data to direct programming.

Attends meetings in any of the Director’s absence, as requested, to ensure that action items are advanced.

Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• 6+ years experience in commercial music presenting and/or performing arts management.
• 3+ years experience managing and supervising group(s) along with strong leadership skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Arts Administration or Business Management or equivalent experience.
• Ability to create and maintain clear channels of communication with all members and constituents.
• Affinity for budgets, long-range planning, and problem solving necessary.
• Candidate must be local or willing to relocate to the DMV area.