Chief Development Officer of Major and Leadership Gifts

Job description

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 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 Trump Kennedy Center strives to design equitable compensation programs. The projected salary range for this position is $130,000 - $150,000, 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 Chief Development Officer of Major and Leadership Gifts of the Trump Kennedy Center reports to the SVP of Development and works collaboratively with senior Development staff across The Trump Kennedy Center, members of the Board of Trustees, Government Affairs, and key internal partners across departments. This role serves as a senior fundraising leader within a highly matrixed institutional environment. The Director is responsible for a significant portion of the Trump Kennedy Center, individual contributed revenue goals, while also supporting The Trump Kennedy Center’s broader institutional fundraising priorities including leadership‑level, cross‑programmatic, and endowment giving efforts. The position requires a strategic and innovative approach to building new fundraising strategies and donor relationships, while thoughtfully maintaining and advancing existing major and leadership giving programs. The incumbent manages time, resources, and workload to maximize productivity and financial results; exercises sound judgment and discretion; evaluates complex internal and external relationships; and proactively advances the objectives of multiple concurrent campaigns. The Director oversees a team of Major Gift Officers and works to successfully execute established fundraising priorities and drive portfolio growth across The Trump Kennedy Center. This position plays a key role in fostering a collaborative, high‑performing team culture, while actively supporting professional development, coaching, and growth opportunities for staff in alignment with departmental and institutional goals.

Key Responsibilities

Oversee and actively manage a portfolio of Trustees and high‑level donors, leading their philanthropic engagement, solicitation, and stewardship in support of The Trump Kennedy Center.

Partner with the team to create and advance opportunities for undesignated giving, as well as designated funding opportunities when aligned with donor interests and when they demonstrate strong potential to attract major and leadership gifts.

Collaborate with peer fundraising teams, including Membership, Corporate Development, Circles, and other advancement functions, to deepen donor relationships, align strategies, and identify cross‑programmatic engagement and solicitation opportunities.

Provide clear leadership, coaching, and performance management for the team through regular feedback, goal alignment, and thoughtful delegation, fostering a high‑performing culture that consistently meets or exceeds revenue and engagement targets.

Manage and continuously strengthen team best practices across all aspects of fundraising, including written and verbal communications, prospect research, proposal development, donor meetings, events, and relationship management.

Steward assigned donors and prospects through major institutional events across The Trump Kennedy Center, and the National Symphony Orchestra, leveraging programming and experiences to deepen engagement and advance philanthropic goals.

Support and help manage select one‑off cultivation and stewardship events hosted by Trustees and major donors, in coordination with Development and Special Events colleagues.

Co‑lead weekly staff meetings, strategic planning retreats, staff training sessions, and professional development workshops to advance team effectiveness and shared priorities.

Work to implement, evaluate, and refine long‑term goals and strategies for the team, fostering a culture grounded in clarity, collaboration, and people‑first leadership.

Actively promote and model collegial, collaborative working relationships with colleagues across The Trump Kennedy Center, contributing to a unified, institution‑wide advancement effort.

Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or applicable professional experience.

Minimum of 7 years in development, with at least 3 years in a supervisory capacity managing development team members that are responsible for identifying, securing, and stewarding a portfolio of donors.

Experience managing a high‑performing team that met or exceeded goals, through effective goal setting, prioritization, delegation, and team‑building.

Ability to collaborate across a matrixed organization to leverage the expertise of other departments, work together to effect change and achieve shared goals.

Knowledge and training in fundraising principles, development trends, and non‑profit management or Board engagement. Understanding of large cultural institutions is beneficial.

Experience developing and implementing specific fundraising strategies with timeliness and success while maintaining flexibility.

Experience with Tessitura or nonprofit experience with a CRM database is preferred.

Careful attention to detail and knowledge of standard accounting procedures.

Possession of these competencies would indicate strong potential for success in this role: growth mindset, self‑aware, disciplined, results‑driven and accountable.

Sensitive, inclusive of others.

Ability to foresee development needs, anticipate the needs of superiors, and multitask efficiently.

A clear understanding of the Kennedy Center mission, and a nuanced understanding of the ways in which a fundraising operation works within a large and complex institution.

Ability to deftly manage many relationships and personality types, both internal among staff members, and external among constituents.

Ability and confidence to work without close supervision.

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

Large, vibrant, fast‑paced office that values initiative, efficiency, diversity, and teamwork.

Office culture encourages professional growth through internal promotion whenever possible.

Working outside of normal business hours (nights and weekends) can be expected from time to time.

In those conditions, the noise level may be loud.

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Worksite address

washington, DC, 20022, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.