VP of Development, NSO

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 total rewards package to all full-time employees to include: 

• 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
• We like to have fun! Check out the Kennedy Center National Dance Day 2024 staff video!

Pay Details

The Kennedy Center strives to design equitable compensation programs. The projected salary range for this position is $180,000 - $215,000, commensurate with experience, and includes a comprehensive benefits package. This is the targeted range of possible compensation for this role at the time of posting. This range may be modified in the future. Base pay within the range is ultimately determined by a candidate’s skills, expertise, and experience as it relates to the position qualifications and responsibilities.

Job Description 

The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) is an affiliate of the Kennedy Center. The NSO is led by Music Director Gianandrea Noseda, Principal Pops Conductor & Artistic Advisor Steven Reineke, and Jean Davidson, Executive Director. The Orchestra performs approximately 180 concerts a year in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, at Wolf Trap, on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, and on national and international tours. The NSO offers a robust portfolio of education and community engagement programs reaching 20,000 young people annually.  

The Vice President of Development, NSO, collaborates and coordinates with the Development Office at the Kennedy Center and is responsible for raising approximately $15 million annually in dedicated funds for the NSO through individual major gifts, foundation, government, and corporate giving, as well as through special events.  The Vice President of Development, NSO, creates data-driven strategies for diverse, sustainable year-over-year revenue growth opportunities for the NSO. The position oversees a staff of 7 FTEs.

The National Symphony Orchestra aims to secure over $50 million in new endowment commitments by 2031, growing our endowment to $100 million by our 100th anniversary. The NSO has secured nearly $20M in new endowment funds since December 2023. This position will oversee this effort in conjunction with the annual fundraising campaign.

Key Responsibilities

Annual Fundraising

• Develop, execute, and refine strategies to secure $15M in annual donations, demonstrating year-over-year growth and sustainability.
• Identify financial objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) to achieve annual fund goals.
• Craft clear and compelling reporting to outline progress; provide regular reporting to the Executive Director, Senior Vice President, and NSO Board.
• Maintain principal relationships with Board leadership in collaboration with the Executive Director. Communicate and collaborate with volunteer leaders from the National Symphony Orchestra to ensure alignment across the institution.
• Maintain and adapt long-range plans for success within the necessary timelines.
• Develop and execute protocols to ensure that best practices, efficient processes, thorough analysis, and data-driven decision-making guide the work of the annual fundraising operation.
• Attend concerts regularly; interact with donors and donor prospects.
• Deploy NSO development staff at concerts regularly.
• Oversee the NSO’s annual gala and short- and long-term goals for growth in collaboration with the Vice President of Special Events.

Endowment Campaign

• Develop clear timelines and a path to achieve our endowment campaign goal.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and NSO team to create the case statement.
• Share gift tables with the Executive Director and NSO Board leadership

Strategic Planning

• Create, draft, and implement the strategic plan for NSO Development. Ensure active participation and thought-partnership from across development, the NSO administrative department, and NSO board.
• Identify key metrics for success and evaluative measures. Provide transparent progress reporting to all departmental staff.
• Use the strategic plan to develop annual departmental priorities in collaboration with the Senior Vice President and the NSO Executive Director.

Team Management

• Hire, lead, and manage a team of NSO dedicated development professionals. Build and foster growth.
• Provide vision and leadership to Prospect Development functions by designing and overseeing strategies for using prospect intelligence to drive strategic, data-driven fundraising practices.
• Develop strategies to expand funding pipelines. Leverage institutional data and emerging technologies in machine learning, AI, etc. to identify new prospects.
• Oversee strategic portfolio assignment processes, set portfolio standards and guidelines, monitor performance, and devise strategic recommendations for frontline staff as they move prospects through the fundraising cycle.
• Ensure the thorough, continuous, and transparent reporting of fundraising performance and pipeline management efforts.

Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• Minimum ten years of progressive fundraising experience in complex nonprofit organizations. 
• Familiarity with the philanthropic industry and best practices in fundraising; experience advancing and executing fundraising strategies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with pipeline and contributed revenue growth, endowment fundraising, prospect research, donor stewardship, planned giving, and philanthropy operations.
• Experience leading and coaching experienced team members and managing highly effective and collaborative teams.
• Proficiency in database management.  Experience with Tessitura strongly preferred. 
• Experience working in the Orchestra field preferred.
• Self-motivated strategic thinker with a proven record of driving measurable results to achieve institutional, departmental, and team goals.
• Consummate team player, with a leadership approach that relies on confidence, transparency, empathy, and respect.
• Passion for the National Symphony Orchestra’s and Kennedy Center’s missions.
• High level of discretion and ethical approach to fundraising.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to successfully manage and build relationships with individuals, institutional foundations, board and committee leadership, staff at all levels, and collaborators at partner organizations.  Ability to work collaboratively and create clarity within complex organizational structures.
• Candidate must be local or willing to relocate to the DMV area. Relocation assistance is not provided.  
• Candidate must be willing to work onsite. 

Additional Information

 Travel up to 20% may be required.