Position Description
Director of Programs
Title: Director of Programs
Location: Washington, DC
Reports to: Executive Director of Dance/USA
Supervises: Programming and Conference Intern(s)
Status: Full-time, exempt
Dance/USA, the national service organization for professional dance, sustains and advances professional dance by addressing the needs, concerns, and interests of artists, administrators and organizations. Dance/USA operates at the center of the national dance field providing dance-related research and information, professional development, advocacy, and service so that members may gain new insights, perspective, and knowledge on their works as dance professionals. Dance/USA's membership currently consists of roughly 460 aerial, ballet, contemporary, modern, jazz, culturally specific, traditional and tap companies, dance service and presenting organizations, artist managers, individuals, and other organizations nationally and internationally.
Dance/USA is committed to honoring, nurturing and advancing dance through the lens of diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity in all aspects of its programming, services and organization.
Position Overview
The Programs Director is responsible for all programming & event matters related to Dance/USA’s Annual Conference and the Annual Dance Forum. The Programs Director interacts frequently with the membership and works closely with the staff, Program Committee of the Board of Trustees and Annual Conference Host Committee to develop and implement relevant professional development opportunities and events for the professional dance field.
Dance/USA’s Annual Conference is the largest gathering of not-for-profit dance professionals in the United States. Each year, hundreds of executive directors, artistic directors, company managers, choreographers, artists, and development and marketing professionals convene to discuss timely issues, learn best-practices and benefit from peer-to-peer discussions. Dance/USA’s Annual Conference takes place in different regions of the United States each year and includes three full days of professional development programming and special events. Dance/USA’s 2015 Conference will take place in Miami, FL June 17 – 20. The 2015 Dance Forum will take place on Friday, January 9 in New York City.
Responsibilities – include but are not limited to:
Participate in weekly staff meetings to keep full staff informed of program activities;
Serve as liaison to the Conference Host Committee, working closely with Host Committee co-chairs to develop agendas and assist with moving Host Committee activities forward;
Serve as liaison to the Programs Committee, working closely with Programs Committee Chair, to develop content for Annual Conference;
Work within set event budget and participate in budget discussions related to programming and convenings;
Work with Director of Finance and Operations to draft all necessary contracts and provide pertinent information for timely execution of agreements;
Oversee logistics and relations with all event locations including site contracts, hotel master accounts including staff and speaker accommodations;
Serve as on-site manager during professional development convenings;
Coordinate with Director of Development on all fundraising issues related to current and future convenings;
Coordinate with Director of Information Services to evaluate program events and services;
Work with staff to design conference registration timeline and registration publicity;
Organize and manage the Dance/USA’s Honors Celebration at the Annual Conference including coordinating logistics with honorees and presenters; designing the event program; obtaining the awards/gifts in advance; and working with the Host Committee to secure venue and funding for the event;
Work with staff to coordinate hotel and travel arrangements for all staff and Honors recipients;
Coordinate with staff on conference exhibitors and sponsors;
Identify and research meeting locations for future Annual Conferences;
Assemble speakers and panelists for conference sessions, coordinate speaker agreements, a/v needs, materials for distribution;
Work with staff and vendors to design and print all necessary signs for events;
Work with staff and Conference Host Committee to invite special guests and dignitaries to conference events;
Coordinate publicity for Annual Conference and other professional development services with Conference Host Committee and Dance/USA’s Communications Specialist;
Develop and upload content for the Annual Conference website, the conference mobile app, and the main Dance/USA website;
Develop final content for all printed material regarding programming activities;
Support Dance/USA’s Executive Director in managing the Institute for Leadership Training.
Qualifications, Skills, and General Knowledge Required
Requires exemplary attention to detail, diplomacy, tremendous interpersonal skills, ability to manage multiple tasks, strong written and communication skills, and ability to establish priorities.
Experience with planning and implementing major professional conferences and special events preferred.
A strong working knowledge of the professional not-for-profit and for-profit dance field and the needs of the field are required.
Strong technology skills including the ability to update the conference website and update the conference mobile app are required;
Ability to collaborate with many constituencies and manage group discussions well;
Bachelor Degree required.
Salary and Compensation
Salary and benefits are competitive and commensurate with experience.
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and references to:
Dance/USA
Programs Director Position
1111 16th ST NW
Suite 300
Washington, DC 20036
Deadline to apply is August 1, 2014. Applicants must be available to begin work in early September 2014.
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