Special Events Coordinator

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 America's performing arts center, and a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, we are a leader for the arts across the United States and around the world, connecting the greatest living artists with audiences of every stripe, no matter their background. We welcome all Americans and creators and visitors from across the globe to discover, experience, learn about, be inspired by, 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  
• 13 paid holidays per year   
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits with FSA and HSA options, and paid FMLA  

Pay Details  

The Kennedy Center strives to design equitable compensation programs. The projected salary range for this position is $45,000 - $53,000, 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 Development Office at the Kennedy Center is a vibrant, dynamic, and creative group of over 50 professionals responsible for finding new, creative, sustainable, and efficient ways to meet or exceed the institution’s over $70M annual contributed income goal.  These funds support the organization’s extraordinary programming—world class performances on our many stages at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.; local, regional, and national education programs reaching students, teachers, families, and budding artists; and community-driven social impact programming that upholds the legacy of President Kennedy in our role as his presidential memorial. 

The Special Events team directs and manages all development events, including fundraising and benefit-fulfillment events for the Kennedy Center, National Symphony Orchestra, and the Washington National Opera.

Manage all facets of guest management processes and assist with donor communications for signature events. The Special Events Coordinator must have exceptional customer service abilities and feel confident under significant pressure. The Special Events Coordinator should exhibit exemplary leadership skills, as they will train Special Events Interns, Assistants, and Development Staff in various tasks. They must exercise discretion in order to prioritize assignments, as many projects are time sensitive, involving concurrent deadlines, and have a direct impact on the donor base of the Kennedy Center. 

Key Responsibilities  

Signature Events - Guest Management 

• Oversee all administrative aspects of the event management system (Elevated Events) including guest attendance tracking, invitation list management, and seating/ticket inventory.
• Collaborate with Box Office and Performance Seating leads to ensure accurate records and seamless ticketing for all signature events.
• Lead on-site registration and check-in for major events, ensuring smooth guest experiences and real-time problem solving under pressure.
• Serve as primary liaison with Government Relations, Programming, and PR to ensure guest information is tracked accurately and all departments are equipped with necessary pre-arrival communications.
• Train Special Events assistants/interns on guest management protocols, including registration, invitation mailings, and tax acknowledgements.
• Complete all post-event documentation of comp and paid guest activity for Finance closeout.

Communications 

• Manage the Special Events inbox, providing prompt, polished responses to donors and VIP guests.
• Partner with Development Systems and IT to optimize processes for data collection and tracking in Tessitura CRM.
• Draft compelling event communications (invitations, website copy, emails, program notes)
• Create and manage event communication calendars, ensuring all deadlines are met and materials are distributed with precision.
• Send and manage event-related communications (solicitations, invitations, reminders, confirmations, and acknowledgements) through WordFly, ensuring accuracy, brand consistency, and timely delivery.
• Coordinate donor tax receipts and ensure compliance with finance standards.
• Maintain and refine all event templates, including letters, receipts, and confirmations.

Benefit Event Management 

• Solely plan and execute small-scale benefit events (under 100 guests) from concept to completion.
• Develop design concepts, menus, and guest experiences that reflect creativity and current industry trends.
• Manage vendor relationships and oversee event logistics including load-in/out, deliveries, set-up, and execution.
• Ensure flawless guest experience with professional, polished, white-glove service standards.

Budgeting & Finance 

• Track, reconcile, and process all event expenses and invoicing.
• Ensure budgets remain accurate, transparent, and within established guidelines.

Teamwork & Institutional Engagement 

• Collaborate with colleagues across Development, Programming, Government Relations, and Communications to deliver unified, seamless events.
• Support and contribute to a culture of creativity, positivity, and professionalism.
• Be flexible and responsive to last-minute changes, demonstrating a solutions-oriented mindset at all times.
• Respond promptly and professionally to all leadership and staff needs.

Other duties as assigned.  

Key Qualifications     

• At least 2–3 years of hands-on experience in events, hospitality, or related fields, with demonstrated ability to deliver high-touch, white-glove service.
• Ability to work under serious, real-time pressure without sacrificing quality.
• Comfort with shifting timelines, last-minute changes, and evolving event plans.
• Strong organizational skills, detail-oriented execution, and follow-through.
• Exceptional communication skills—both written and verbal.
• Positive, professional, and unflappable attitude in high-stakes situations.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in event systems (Tessitura, Elevated Events preferred), Mailing systems (WordFly, Mail Chimp) MS Office Suite, and familiarity with CRM or database management.
• Candidate must be local or willing to relocate to the DMV area. Relocation assistance is not provided.   
• Candidate must be willing to work onsite.