Job Description

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 $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 candidate's 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 Center's 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 Center's 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 Center's new annex which opened in 2019. This position will also focus on public relations for America250 programming and events.

By building productive relationships with media, artistic partners and outside companies, publicists/managers, and internal staff, this individual will generate significant and high-impact coverage of a large portion of the more than 2,000 performances and events held at the Center each year. Reporting to the VP of Public Relations, this position will also work closely and proactively with them and other senior/executive leadership, providing strategic input and guidance as it relates to all variety of communications, including crisis communications. This position regularly collaborates with external artistic partners, vendors, and publicists/managers to coordinate publicity efforts. Special projects will vary and evolve from season to season. This role will provide additional media outreach and support as needed for other major events and happenings, artistic or otherwise, to ensure a high level of public awareness and achievement of the institution's earned and contributed goals.

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 Center's 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 Center's 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]]>

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