Broadcast Media and Special Programs Manager

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 $70,000 - $80,000, 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 Manager, Broadcast and Special Programs will manage the day-to-day operations of the Center’s broadcast initiatives including Kennedy Center Honors, Mark Twain Prize, and Next at the Kennedy Center, as well as new broadcast and streaming initiatives. 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, work independently and in a team setting, and problem solve with a positive attitude is essential.

This position is essential in furthering the Kennedy Center’s broadcast ambitions and its mission to showcase the depth, breadth and plethora of mediums the Kennedy Center presents and produces. Programs this role supports includes, but is not limited to, artistic and operational oversight of The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, Kennedy Center Honors, and Next at the Kennedy Center series.

Key Responsibilities

Producer for Next at the Kennedy Center series and other developing broadcast or streaming projects that create national and international visibility for the Center and its programs:

• Creative Input:
  • Serve on creative leadership team; provide input and edit breakdowns throughout filming and post production process in order to best represent the Center’s institutional goals for national exposure.
• Program Management:
  • Develop and manage production timeline; manage all deliverables and coordinate between internal and external partners, representing Kennedy Center’s interests;
  • Oversee contracting for artists, venues, equipment; create briefing materials, such as call sheets, itineraries;
  • Manage clearance and rights tracking for all productions to ensure compliance with all copyright laws;
  • Oversee billing, purchase orders, and financial tracking to ensure timely payments and adherence to budget.
• Personnel Management:
  • Manage part-time and contract staff in order to ensure adherence to timelines and deliverables;
  • Coordinate artist and crew logistics for shoots both locally and nationally.

Artist oversight and event logistics management for Kennedy Center Honors and Mark Twain Prize, the Center’s largest fundraiser events onsite and broadcast on network and streamers:

• Responsible for relationship management with artists and Honorees on behalf of the President and Sr. Director of Broadcast:
  • Manages the one-on-one relationship with each of the Honorees and oversees all logistics of their weekend from arrivals to departures, including management oversight of 5-8 Honoree wranglers;
  • Develop new strategies to engage the artistic community in support of the Honors in order to deepen relationships and broaden impact;
  • Works with external production company to manage the logistics of artistic partners and Former Honorees that attend the Honors and supports the ongoing relationship of Former Honorees with the Kennedy Center year-round;
  • Serve as editor for the Program Book, including generating tribute letters, collecting and licensing archival photos, research, editing, and tracking deadlines;
  • Oversee ongoing annual Honors-related activities including Board Committee and SHAC meetings.
• Operations and Logistics:
  • Manages ancillary events through booking talent and vendors, managing guest lists and seating, overseeing the event production and run of show;
  • Processes and tracks expenses, while updating the Director about projection actuals;
  • Supports the Director in generating the settlement at the end of the production;
  • Coordinate production needs with external producers and senior level management, including but not limited to, serve on the creative leadership team, planning site visits, managing and facilitating meetings, and is one of the main project leads for planning, brainstorming, and problem solving;
  • Manage part-time and contract staff in order to ensure adherence to timelines and deliverables.

Oversee daily organization of the Broadcast Media & Special Programs Department:

• Direct supervisor for part-time staff, independent contractors, and interns;
• Lead weekly team meetings and create organizational systems to better aide in workflow;
• Payroll processing for all union and non-union employees working on produced shows.

• Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelors’ degree encouraged in Arts Management, Communications, Media, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in performing arts industry managing programs and event productions in a variety of genres and art forms.
• Previous experience producing or associate producing television specials on a national level
• Successfully maintain effective relationships with talent, agents, writers, and directors in the entertainment industry, building credibility and strong working relationships.
• Experience at a large organization or cultural or educational institution is preferred.

• Must be extremely detail-oriented, have excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-tasked environment, work well under pressure and be able to meet deadlines.

   

  Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access and comfortability learning new systems.

   

  Must be comfortable working with highly visable performing artists. The position requires availability on many evenings and weekends.

• 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

• This position will be responsible for lifting boxes of hospitality supplies, and bundles of bottled water, onto carts – and – pushing these carts around the campus to set-up backstage artist hospitality.
• Must be able to work odd-hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and occasional work beyond 40 hours/week. Must be on-call during certain performances and company travel days.