***Applications submitted without a Cover Letter will not be considered***

Who We Are:

The National Symphony Orchestra, in residence at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., engages audiences locally, across the country, and around the world through excellence in performance and education. Since beginning his tenure in 2017, Music Director Maestro Gianandrea Noseda has increased the Orchestra's prominence both nationally and internationally, most notably through engagements at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, commercial recordings, and a much-anticipated upcoming tour to Japan and China. Under his baton, the Orchestra has added new musicians, garnered rave reviews in national outlets, and substantially increased classical subscriptions. The NSO's education and community engagement work ranges from nurturing young musicians; engaging new audiences through free or low-cost concerts in the Concert Hall, in underserved local communities, in some of D.C's hottest new venues, and through collaborations with chart-topping artists such as Common, Ben Folds, and Diana Ross; and welcoming the youngest listeners to family-friendly concerts. With its 90th anniversary approaching in 2021, the NSO is poised to soar to new heights.

Job Description:

The NSO Development team seeks a creative and experienced grant writer and fundraiser ready to build upon the NSO's robust grant portfolio and grow programmatic sponsorships for our nation's Orchestra. The Assistant Manager works with the Manager of NSO Sponsorships & Institutional Giving to plan, manage, and administer the solicitation of corporate sponsorships and foundation and government grants for the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), and, where appropriate, related Kennedy Center programs. The Assistant Manager will organize and execute solicitation campaigns, prospecting research and strategy, fulfillment of donor benefits, and financial reconciliation, working directly with donors and internal staff from the NSO and Kennedy Center.

The Assistant Manager reports to the NSO Manager of Sponsorships & Institutional Giving and generates work for one Assistant and an intern. The Assistant Manager must have a demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and manage time and projects for maximum productivity, along with the ability to shift priorities in order to achieve a high value and output of work. The incumbent must customarily and regularly exercise proactivity, discretion, and independent judgment in the pursuit of job objectives and goals, often under significant pressure.

Duties and Responsibilities:

35% Sponsorship Portfolio Management:

• Manage a corporate portfolio raising approximately $1 million annually
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward current and prospective corporate donors/sponsors
• Prepare individually tailored presentations for corporate solicitations
• Draft and edit proposals of varying length and complexity
• Develop project budgets in formats suitable for prospects and aligned with institutional budgetary guidelines
• Create recognition and hospitality packages specific to projects which include, but are not limited to, NSO artistic, educational, and community engagement programs and other interests of prospects
• Maintain direct contact with current and prospective donors/sponsors via telephone, email, and personal visitation

35% Grants Management:

• Manage a foundation and government grant portfolio raising approximately $2 million
• Coordinate programmatic details and plans with internal staff during all phases from prospect identification to stewardship
• Draft, edit, and route for approval grant proposals and reports
• Prepare detailed project budgets
• Generate support materials needed for applications
• Maintain direct contact with current and prospective granting agencies and key staff via telephone, email, and personal visitation

15% Corporate Development Committee and Board Stewardship:

• Serve as a contact for the NSO Board's Corporate Development Committee, coordinating meeting times, content, and materials directly with the Committee Chair
• Work directly with Board members to identify prospect engagement opportunities and activate Board members in strategic fundraising priorities across NSO Development

15% Donor & Program Stewardship:

• Oversee the correct recognition and benefit activation for all institutional and sponsorship donors
• Ensure timely and correct gift entry, acknowledgment and tax receipting, and financial reconciliation
• Generate sponsorship and programmatic materials such as brochures, website content, and one-pagers for NSO Development team use

N/A Responds to the needs and requests of Kennedy Center management and staff in a professional and expedient manner; Adheres to all employer policies and procedures.

N/A Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree is required. An advanced degree in a related field is beneficial.
• 2-4 years of development or related experience required, with particular focus on grant writing and sponsorships.
• Working knowledge of the performing arts and orchestral music is preferred.

Who You Are:

• You have the ability to foresee and act on long-term corporate support opportunities.
• You have an appreciation of the NSO's mission, are knowledgeable about a wide variety of performing arts programs, and are familiar with a broad base of donors and funding prospects including their history and involvement with the Center, NSO, and WNO.
• A professional and cordial demeanor, tact, and diplomacy are imperative as the incumbent is regularly in contact with people at all levels of society and business including Kennedy Center leadership, high level volunteers, major donors and prospects, and other Center personnel.
• Creativity and an excellent command of the English language are critical to identifying funding sources, matching their interests to projects, and communicating persuasively, both in person and in writing, the need for funding.
• You have the capacity to work with donor databases to manage event, solicitation, and donor information.
• You have the ability and confidence to work without close supervision, anticipate development needs, and proactively generate work for this position as well as an Assistant and an intern.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate in person and on the telephone. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel in order to operate computer keyboard, office equipment, and other essential tasks. 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.

Work Environment:

Large, vibrant, fast-paced office that values initiative, efficiency, diversity, and teamwork. Office culture encourages professional growth through internal promotion whenever possible.

Occasional evening and weekend work required.

The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

Travel up to 5% may be required.

Benefits:

We offer a comprehensive range of benefits to all full-time employees including: Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off, Paid Sick Leave, and a matching 403(b) Retirement Plan.

Additional benefits include: Commuter Programs, Education Assistance Programs, Social Activities, and other employee discounts and specials.