Job Description

Director of Public Relations, Institution

Join to apply for the Director of Public Relations, Institution role at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts .

About The Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center is the nations 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.

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.

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 $110,000 - $130,000 , 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 candidates skills, expertise, and experience as it relates to the position qualifications and responsibilities.

Job Description

The Director of Public Relations, Institution is responsible for maintaining and positively positioning the public image of the Kennedy Center through local, national, and international media placements, new media, self-generated content and storytelling, and by influencing a range of platforms including the Centers social media and website. The Director will manage the day-to-day media operations of a fast-paced PR office, directing artistic and program announcements, leveraging publicity opportunities, driving media cultivation, and determining positioning of institutional news and issues. The Director will supervise a team of direct reports and be responsible for executing strategic communications campaigns from start to finish for all Institutional public relations programs and events. The Centers two main broadcast and fundraising events are Kennedy Center Honors (annually in December) and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (annually in the spring); duties include working collaboratively with internal departments and serving as the chief liaison with Honorees and their support teams, managers, and publicists, broadcasters, as well as securing and managing broad national coverage for both events. In addition to this seasonal work, this position serves as the primary strategist and publicist for other institutional projects that fall outside of the core programmatic areas and will further promote the Center as an important landmark and destination in the United States, to include: international festivals, the new, permanent Art and Ideals: President John F. Kennedy exhibit, special one-off institutional events and partnerships, ongoing publicity for Center leadership and key programmers, support of fundraising events that require visibility, as well as ongoing activity at the REACH, the Kennedy Centers new annex which opened in 2019. This position will also focus on public relations for America250 programming and events.

Key Responsibilities

• Publicity, Media Relations, & Strategy: Devise and implement short and long-term media relations and communications strategies for the programmatic areas listed above. Help to craft and deliver messages that leverage the unparalleled breadth and vibrancy of the performing arts offerings at the Kennedy Center, and positions the Center as an enterprising arts leader across America and the world. Further promote the Center as an important landmark and destination in the United States and seek new audiences and news outlets to engage with and cover some of our highest profile events and activity. Assign, write, review and edit press releases and media communications that reflect the Centers overarching artistic vision and mission. Lead ongoing publicity efforts to promote the new JFK (Art and Ideals) Exhibit, the REACH, major international festivals, visual art exhibits, and generally position the Kennedy Center as a national and international destination through travel and tourism media exposure and the full range of communication channels.


• Media Affairs: Develop relationships with a key target list of industry press contacts and continue building an open line of communication to develop positive narratives from the media about the Kennedy Center and its programming. Proactive outreach daily to ensure there is a consistent drumbeat in the public about the works being done here. Draft and edit media pitch and other outreach necessary for a constant presence in the press.


• Internal Coordination: Work proactively and initiate/attend regular meetings with internal and external stakeholders pertaining to Kennedy Center Honors, Mark Twain Prize, festivals, special events, and partnerships. Develop and execute strong messaging and manage flow and distribution of information. Use public relations expertise to problem-solve and contribute creative ideas that will generate buzz, reach a broad range of media beyond arts and culture reporters and cultivate new audiences.


• Logistics: Oversee publicity and complex logistical operations for the Centers two marquee events, Kennedy Center Honors and Mark Twain Prize, and other special events. Duties include managing red carpet events and large press pools, leading the public relations team, and working closely with Honors production teams, Development, Special Events, Government Affairs, awardees and their teams, and broadcast networks to ensure day-of events run smoothly and yield significant press coverage.


• Management of staff: Provide leadership and guidance to deputy director and associate director in their work towards meeting job objectives and goals. Work with direct reports on long-range PR planning and short and long-term campaigns and direct efforts to achieve maximum publicity for Kennedy Center events, artists, and stories.


• Content Generation/Production: Work closely with social media team, sharing earned media as suggested content for organic social media posts consistent with strategic communications goals. Advise on the voice, messaging, and branding of the social media accounts.


• Finance/Budget: Oversee and manage budget for PR-related expenditures (i.e. photography, media event costs) for non-classical programming throughout the year. Routinely track invoices and expenses and ensure timely payment for vendors.


• Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• Minimum of seven years of public relations and/or corporate communications experience with demonstrated success at managing complex issues in a fast-paced environment.


• College degree required; public relations or communications degree a plus.


• Relationships with key journalists and media outlets highly valued for this position (arts beat and editorial leadership relationships, but also general/mainstream reporters).


• Excellent interpersonal skills; outstanding writing and editing skills.


• Personal characteristics of poise, calm, and composure in stressful, crisis communications situations.


• Candidates with appreciation and expansive knowledge of the performing arts are preferred but not required.


• Demonstrated supervisory skills, and a capacity to build strong teams.


• Ability to multi-task and respond quickly to requests from journalists/editors, photo desks, as well as internal departments and artistic/executive leadership.


• Experience managing complex special events and/or award programs is strongly preferred.


• 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

• Night and weekend work as required by performance schedules. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, crouch, and reach with hands and arms. This position infrequently lifts, carries, or otherwise moves and positions objects weighing up to 25 pounds.


• PR staff at the Kennedy Center share the responsibilities of concert duty, amounting to 1-2 performances weekly on average for most positions.


• Travel of up to 5% may be required.

Details

• Seniority level: Director


• Employment type: Full-time


• Job function: Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing


• Industries: Performing Arts

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Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Temporary work, Seasonal work, Work at office, Local area, Immediate start, Relocation, Relocation package, Night shift,

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