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The YMCA is seeking a qualified, Dance Director to provide leadership, artistic direction, and oversight of its dance & gymnastics programs.
Job Description
The Dance Director is responsible for the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of high-quality dance programming, including instruction, curriculum development, staff supervision, scheduling, performances, and special events. This position provides artistic leadership for dance productions while ensuring that programming meets the YMCA's standards for quality, safety, professionalism, and participant satisfaction.
In collaboration with YMCA leadership, the Dance Director is responsible for establishing program goals, managing approved budgets, monitoring enrollment and financial performance, and identifying opportunities for program growth and long-term sustainability.
The Dance Director also provides oversight of the gymnastics program in coordination with the Lead Gymnastics Instructor.
The Dance Director is responsible for the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of high-quality dance programming, including instruction, curriculum development, staff supervision, scheduling, performances, and special events. This position provides artistic leadership for dance productions while ensuring that programming meets the YMCA's standards for quality, safety, professionalism, and participant satisfaction.
In collaboration with YMCA leadership, the Dance Director is responsible for establishing program goals, managing approved budgets, monitoring enrollment and financial performance, and identifying opportunities for program growth and long-term sustainability.
The Dance Director also provides oversight of the gymnastics program in coordination with the Lead Gymnastics Instructor.
Qualifications
1. A degree in dance with extensive experience in other mediums including modern, contemporary and musical theatre. Equivalent work experience as a dance educator, professional performer and/or choreographer will be considered.
2. Proven leadership in teaching, dance administration and production practices.
3. Professional performance experience and a strong knowledge of trends, and practices of dance education and dance performance.
4. Experience with choreography is required.
5. Expertise in producing, choreographing and staging full-scale productions.
6. Demonstrated ability to successfully staff and manage a team; leading by example with the highest level of professionalism and ethics.
7. Conveys thoughts and ideas effectively, listens for understanding and is able to give, and receive, constructive feedback.
8. Experience with establishing and maintaining positive, collaborative relationships with administrators, educators, artists, students and parents.
9. Demonstrated ability to create a positive and nurturing learning environment that inspires excellence and a commitment to achieving goals.
10. Ability to relate to, motivate and energize students.
11. Strong organization, assessment, planning and teambuilding skills with the ability to work cooperatively with different types of personalities to achieve a shared goal.
12. Demonstrated ability to put the best interest of the organization and needs of the student/customer at the forefront of all decisions.
Essential Functions
1. Programing, Production & Curriculum
2. Teaches dance classes, coaches students and choreographs dance productions.
3. Develops dance curriculum, oversees instructional content and provides resources for dance faculty.
4. Prepares class schedules, calendars and curriculum changes.
5. In conjunction with the Director of Operations, develops and oversees long range plans for the strategic development of the Y dance and gymnastics program.
6. Leads all YMCA production endeavors including, but not limited to, holiday events, set and costume selection, casting, choreography, lighting, music and volunteers.
7. Overseas the gymnastics program with assistance of lead gymnastics instructor.
8. Assists with other program areas of the Y including other Arts and Humanities classes and special events
9. Follow emergency procedures and complete accident/incident reports as necessary.
10. Other duties as assigned.
11. Creates and oversees program budgets.
12. Advises new and continuing students and holds regular office hours.
13. Performs tasks related to student admissions and faculty, student and program assessment.
14. Serves as a liaison for parents, students and dance and gymnastics faculty, communicating pertinent information to all parents, students, and Y staff members.
15. Hires, supervises, mentors and evaluates all teaching assistants.
16. Maintains consistency in dance program policies and procedures as they relate to overall YMCA policies and procedures.
17. Assists the Marketing Director with preparing website, social media, brochure and program content and updates as requested and collaborates with marketing personnel to ensure content accuracy.
18. Represents the dance program at functions and for publicity purposes.
19. Attends regularly scheduled staff meetings.
20. Other duties as assigned.
Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies
Mission Advancement: Incorporates the Y’s mission and values into the organization’s vision and strategies. Ensures community engagement; promotes the global nature of the Y. Leads a culture of volunteerism ensuring engagement, inclusion, and ownership. Leads a culture of philanthropy.
Collaboration: Advocates for and institutionalizes inclusion and diversity throughout the organization. Initiates the development of relationships with influential leaders to impact and strengthen the community. Is recognized as an inspirational community leader who navigates complex political and social circles with ease. Communicates to engage and inspire people within and outside the YMCA. Ensures that a talent management system is in place and executed effectively.
Operational Effectiveness: Possesses penetrating insight and strong strategic and critical thinking skills. Invests resources in well-designed innovation initiatives. Creates a structure to deliver organization-wide results to achieve objectives. Develops and implements stewardship strategies. Determines benchmarks and ensures appropriate leadership to meet objectives.
Personal Growth: Creates a learning organization. Effectively drives change by leveraging resources and creating alignment to expand organizational opportunities. Shares authority and demonstrates courage and humility. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.
Required Certifications
This position requires strong leadership, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, along with a commitment to the YMCA's mission and core values.