The Director of Awards and Special Projects is primarily responsible for the stewardship and implementation of two awards given annually by the Foundation: the prestigious John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award, and the John F. Kennedy New Frontier Awards. In addition, the Director of Awards and Special Projects will be responsible for leading a variety of special Foundation projects that involve educating and creating awareness around President Kennedy’s legacy as a champion of peace, innovation, service, and inclusion. This position directs a research intern, and works in close collaboration with the Marketing and Communications; Education and Public Programs; and Development departments. The Director of Awards and Special Projects will report directly to the VP, Communications and Marketing, and on a case-by-case basis to the Executive Director for special projects.

The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award™ was created by the Foundation in 1989 to honor President Kennedy’s commitment and contribution to public service. It is presented annually in May, in celebration of President Kennedy’s birthday, to public servants who have made courageous decisions of conscience in the face of personal or professional consequences. The award is named for President Kennedy’s 1957 Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Profiles in Courage, which recounts the stories of eight U.S. senators who risked their careers, incurring the wrath of constituents or powerful interest groups, by taking principled stands for unpopular positions. It has become the premiere award in the political arena. Recently the Foundation has deployed new digital strategies to bring to new and younger audiences a broader awareness and understanding of political courage and those who have embodied it.

The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and Harvard’s Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School of Government created the John F. Kennedy New Frontier Award in 2004 to honor Americans under the age of 40 who are changing their communities – and the country – with their commitment to public service. The awards are presented annually to two exceptional individuals whose contributions in elective office, and non-elective community service or advocacy demonstrate the impact and the value of public service in the spirit of John F. Kennedy.

The Director of Award Programs also collaborates on The Profile in Courage Essay Contest for High School Students which is administered by the John F. Kennedy Library Education Department. The contest invites high school students to consider the concept of political courage by writing an essay on a U.S. elected official who has chosen to do what is right, rather than what is expected. This position participates in the contest’s selection process, and takes the lead in managing the award presentation, which is integrated with the Profile in Courage Award ceremony.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Director of Awards and Special Projects is responsible for:

Candidate Research, Nomination, and Selection

  • Manage a wide-ranging and thorough nominations process, which includes extensive research and strong public engagement. Finding appropriate candidates requires high quality research through online sources, outreach to key stakeholders, and national and local news publications.
  • Following a broad nominations process, identify award finalists for committee consideration.
  • Prepare a thorough and accurate briefing book on candidates for review and committee selection.

Committee Management

  • Ensure the success of the Committee deliberations, including developing successful relationships with Committee chairs and members through ongoing communications.
  • Oversee logistics to support Committee members at meetings, and Award ceremonies.
  • Provide staff support and guidance for Committee Chairmen and members, and to the Executive Director of the Kennedy Library Foundation in their roles on each committee.

Project Management

  • Developing project scopes and objectives, involving all relevant stakeholders and ensuring technical feasibility
  • Coordinate internal resources and third parties/vendors for the flawless execution of projects
  • Ensure that all projects are delivered on-time, within scope and within budget
  • Measure project performance using appropriate systems, tools and techniques

Award Events

  • Work with the Foundation’s staff assistant in coordinating all aspects of the annual Awards ceremonies, receptions, and ancillary events, including logistics such as invitations, programs, travel and ground transportation for honorees and principals, event times and locations, event flow, award acquisition, staging, guest lists, security, staffing, menus, photography, detailed briefings for all ceremony participants.
  • Write principals’ remarks for delivery at Award ceremonies and other events.
  • Work with the Development, Forum, and Marketing and Communications Departments in the planning and orchestration of Award recipients’ participation in development events and other Foundation programs.

Outreach

  • Conduct outreach to and maintain mailing lists of academic, civic, government, advocacy and political organizations, journalists, and legislative leaders and government officials to solicit nominations of candidates and promote knowledge and understanding of the Awards.
  • Work with the Development department to provide ongoing stewardship of donors to the Profile in Courage Award Trust.
  • Represent the Foundation Awards at appropriate community and political gatherings.
  • Develop an alumni network of past awardees for ongoing engagement.

Communications

  • Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications team on marketing and advertising strategies to broaden awareness of Award programs and deepen engagement among new and younger audiences.
  • Work with the Communications team and key selection committee members in the planning and orchestration of award press conferences, and all media coverage associated with the Award(s).
  • Manage and protect the Profile in Courage Award and New Frontier Award trademarks; working with Foundation legal counsel to establish appropriate trademarks and renew them; monitor usage of trademarked terms and send cease-and-desist letters when called for.
  • Write, produce and distribute all marketing and promotional materials for Award programs, including advertising, web content, award ceremony programs, and invitations.

Management

  • Provide supervision and direction to intern(s), outside consultants, and vendors.
  • Responsible for managing budgets for each Award program and projects as necessary.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

  • BA in history, government, political science, or relevant subject; must have strong working knowledge of public policy issues on a national and local level;
  • Track record of results and achievement in successfully managing high-profile programs or initiatives;
  • Experience in management of selection processes, including work with board committees;
  • Strong interpersonal skills, maturity, and solid judgment that engenders confidence from selection committee members, awardees, colleagues and key stakeholders;
  • Strong project management skills;
  • Outstanding writing skills, including ability to write inspiring and uplifting prose.

About the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation

The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization founded in 1984 to provide financial support, staffing, and creative resources for the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, a presidential library administered by the National Archives and Records Administration. The Kennedy Presidential Library and the Kennedy Library Foundation seek to promote, through educational and community programs, a greater appreciation and understanding of American politics, history, and culture, the process of governing and the importance of public service.

The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.. Salary is commensurate with experience and includes an outstanding benefits package.

Interested and qualified candidates are asked to send a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to:

Rachel Flor
Vice President, Communications and Marketing
John F. Kennedy Library Foundation
E-mail: HR@jfklfoundation.org

No phone calls please.