Campus Rentals & Sales Director

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 $108,000 - $129,000, 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 Director, Campus Rentals and Sales, is responsible for leading the strategic sales, business development, and client engagement efforts related to the rental and use of Kennedy Center’s performance venues, event spaces, rehearsal rooms, and outdoor areas. This role focuses on maximizing earned revenue, expanding the Center’s rental client base, and cultivating relationships with commercial, nonprofit, and high-profile clients.

This position oversees a team responsible for executing rental logistics and scheduling, ensuring smooth operations and consistent client service. The Director is expected to set ambitious revenue goals, lead pricing strategy and sales forecasting, negotiate major contracts, and identify new business opportunities that align with the Kennedy Center’s mission and financial objectives.

This role works in close partnership with internal stakeholders, including Artistic Programming, Campus Planning, Development, Restaurant Associates and Occasions, and Special Events, to ensure holistic rental experiences that enhance the visibility and profitability of the Center’s event spaces.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sales efforts for campus rentals, including proactively identifying, pitching, and closing rental opportunities. Cultivate and grow a robust pipeline of rental clients including corporate, nonprofit, wedding, and diplomatic clients. Oversee revenue forecasting and progress toward annual targets exceeding $XX.
• Supervise and mentor the Campus Rentals team. Set and manage clear performance goals around client satisfaction, retention, sales growth, and team collaboration. Ensure that team members are supported in delivering seamless logistical execution for all rentals.
• Serve as lead negotiator for rental contracts, working closely with legal and finance to manage risk and ensure compliance with insurance and policy requirements. Guide complex or high-value clients through the sales funnel with a focus on relationship management and long-term engagement.
• In collaboration with Campus Planning, oversee pricing structures, inventory of rentable spaces, and policies governing space use. Continuously evaluate the competitiveness of rental offerings and make recommendations for improvement.
• Lead strategic initiatives to expand rental visibility—partner with Marketing on promotions, collateral, and website presence. Attend industry networking events and represent the Kennedy Center in external business development settings.
• Partner with the Campus Planning and Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships (or VP of Strategic Revenue and Partnerships) to maintain a cohesive long-range calendar. Final approval of external rental placements and high-level scheduling decisions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Arts Administration, Business, Hospitality, or related field
• Minimum 5 years of experience in venue sales, hospitality sales, or event rentals
• Proven success in closing high-value sales and building external client relationships
• Supervisory experience required; experience overseeing cross-functional teams a plus
• Strong sales acumen with a customer-first mindset
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and client stewardship skills
• Experience with CRM and event management software; ArtsVision a plus
• Strong organizational and strategic planning skills
• Familiarity with contracts, insurance, and venue use agreements
• Adept at working with high-profile or VIP clientele with discretion
• Candidate must be local or willing to relocate to the DMV area. Relocation assistance is not provided. 
• Candidate must be willing to work onsite.