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:
ABOUT WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA: Washington National Opera (WNO), a flagship of the Kennedy Center, is one of the leading opera companies in the United States. Under the world-renowned leadership team of General Director Timothy O’Leary and Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, the company presents a diverse repertory of grand operas and leading-edge productions across three main venues of the Kennedy Center, including the 2,200-seat Kennedy Center Opera House.
With a commitment to presenting dramatically compelling works executed at the highest levels of artistry, the company balances the standard repertory with new and infrequently performed works. Each season, WNO also seeks to shape the future of opera through commissioned American works and a variety of special concerts, youth operas, and events.
Funded in 1956 and an artistic affiliate of the Kennedy Center since 2011, WNO has a storied legacy of groundbreaking world premieres and new productions, international tours, live recordings, and radio broadcasts, digitally streamed content, as well as innovative education and community-engagement programs. In recent years, WNO has been known particularly for championing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging onstage, on the podium, and behind the scenes, by championing artists and creators who identify as BIPOC, women, and non-binary in artistic leadership positions such as conductors, directors, composers, librettists, and designers.
THE OPPORTUNITY: The Managing Director for Advancement, Washington National Opera (MDA) will create and lead a team and a comprehensive advancement strategy to build out the major gift philanthropy program to take it to new levels of success. He/she/they will lead both annual and campaigns and increase and diversify the donor base, focusing primarily on individual major donors.
The MDA reports to Leslie Miller, Kennedy Center Senior Vice President, Development, has a dotted-line relationship to Timothy O’Leary, General Director, of the WNO, and will also work closely with WNO Trustees and the Artistic Director, among others. The individual in this role will lead a team of eight.
IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS:
Please do not apply directly on the Kennedy Center careers page. To apply please go to click here
Nominations and expressions of interest will be held in confidence and may be sent to:
Esther Rosenberg or Patty Greco
Co-Managing Directors
Howe-Lewis International
(212) 697-5000
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, located on 17 acres overlooking the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., is America's living memorial to President Kennedy as well as the nation's busiest arts facility. The Center, which opened on September 8, 1971, continues its efforts to fulfill President Kennedy's vision by producing and presenting an unmatched variety of theater and musicals, dance and ballet, orchestral, chamber, jazz, popular, world, and folk music, and multimedia performances for all ages. We are the nation???s beacon for the performing arts, engaging artists and audiences around the world to share, inspire, and celebrate the cultural heritage by which a great society is defined and remembered.