Director of Public Relations, Classical

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

About The Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts “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 Trump 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 affiliate, the National Symphony Orchestra. At the Trump 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 Trump 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 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

• 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 Trump 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 (Classical) is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the awareness, public image, and reputation of the Trump Kennedy Center and its resident artistic affiliates—the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO). The Director’s primary focus is to support the artistic vision by helping to craft key messages and storylines, actively pursuing and delivering coverage and visibility 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. By deepening existing relationships with arts journalists and developing new connections to entice new writers, editors, and producers to cover the NSO, the Director will expand feature coverage nationally and globally. The role also works in close coordination with the Center’s marketing department to execute strategies that support seasonal marketing and on‑sale initiatives to build audiences and achieve earned revenue goals. The Director is a frontline representative of the Public Relations team and helps to manage the day‑to‑day strategy and 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 related to the full range of its classical music activities and related music education and community engagement projects. Reporting to the VP of Public Relations, this position also works closely and proactively with senior and executive leadership, providing strategic input and guidance as it relates to all variety of communications, including crisis communications. The Director regularly collaborates with external artistic partners, vendors, and publicists/managers to coordinate publicity efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Publicity & Media Relations: Design and implement comprehensive public relations strategies that support and leverage the unparalleled breadth, vibrancy and excellence of the classical music offerings at the Kennedy Center. Help to craft and deliver a message that consistently positions the Center and its affiliates (NSO) as enterprising arts leaders across America and internationally. Assign, write, review, and edit press releases and media communications that reflect the artistic vision and mission of the Center and its artistic affiliates. Primary areas of discipline and focus: National Symphony Orchestra (classical, Pops, education and outreach programs)
• 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 senior and artistic leadership, directors, and managers cross‑institutionally to develop and execute strong messaging and manage flow and distribution of information. Use public relations expertise to contribute creative ideas that will generate buzz, reach a broad range of media (beyond arts and culture reporters), and cultivate new audiences for classical music.
• 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.
• Special Events: As a senior member of the Kennedy Center Public Relations Office, assist and support team for the Center’s marquee award events including the Kennedy Center Honors (December), the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (Spring), and other Center‑wide special events including major international festivals and other initiatives to generate a higher profile of the Kennedy Center locally, nationally, and internationally.
• 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 NSO’s social media accounts.
• Finance/Budget: Oversee and manage budget for PR‑related expenditures (i.e. photography, media event costs) for NSO throughout the year. Work with Classical PR Coordinator to routinely track invoices and expenses and ensure timely payment for vendors.
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of strategic public relations management experience, and a least three years in a supervisory capacity.
• Demonstrated publicity results on a national level and proven success at managing complex issues in a fast‑paced environment.
• Established and constructive relationships with key journalists and national media outlets heavily valued for this position (arts beat and editorial leadership relationships, but also general features/mainstream reporters).
• Bachelor’s degree required; public relations or communications degree a plus.
• Candidates with appreciation and expansive knowledge of classical music and the performing arts are preferred but not required.
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact professionally, graciously, and maturely with media, artists, managers/publicists, outside consultants, vendors, trustees, and a variety of other internal and external constituents.
• High‑level strategic communication skills and ability to successfully execute high‑profile PR campaigns that raise awareness, appreciation, and profile.
• Outstanding writing and editing skills.
• Personal characteristics of poise, calm, and composure in stressful, crisis communications situations.
• 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.
• 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. 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.

Seniority Level

Director

Employment Type

Full‑time

Job Function

Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing

Industry

Performing Arts