MANAGING DIRECTOR – BALLET MEMPHIS – MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
The Arts Consulting Group seeks your interest or candidate recommendations to fill the Managing Director position at Ballet Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee.
ORGANIZATION
Now celebrating its 20th anniversary season, Ballet Memphis is a creative resource to the nation as a maker and interpreter of its Southern cultural legacy through dance, production and training. Artistic Director/CEO Dorothy Gunther Pugh founded the Company in 1986 as Memphis Concert Ballet with two professional dancers and a budget of $75,000. Today, Ballet Memphis employs 15 professional dancers and has a $2.9 million budget. The Company performs at the historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Memphis, as well as at non-traditional venues throughout the city and on tour, most recently at The Joyce Theater in New York City. Ballet Memphis also performs for and presents teaching artist sessions to more than 15,000 students annually. The Ballet Memphis School trains more than 600 students annually. Additional student performance experience is provided through the Junior Company of Ballet Memphis. Ballet Memphis also offers Pilates and movement instruction at the Hope and Healing Center. Ballet Memphis’ Educational Enrichment program is made possible in part by the generous support of the Greater Memphis Arts Council. In 2006-2007, the combined entities of Ballet Memphis-dance company, ballet school and Pilates Centre-served approximately 75,000 people.
Ballet Memphis was recognized by the Ford Foundation as a national treasure when the Company was awarded a $1 million New Directions/New Donors for the Arts grant in 2000. Ballet Memphis was one of only four dance companies in the country to receive this honor along with San Francisco Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance and the Alvin Ailey School of American Dance. In 2007, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation awarded a planning grant to Ballet Memphis to support field interviews, research, and convenings aimed at examining the intellectual and civic relevance and operational challenges of regional ballet companies in mid-sized cities. The work will be conducted primarily by Artistic Director/CEO Dorothy Gunther Pugh working with Russell Willis Taylor from National Arts Strategies. The planning grant will result in a paper that will be made available to the dance field. This discovery phase of the project will require the input of business leaders, futurists, marketing and trends experts, innovative non-profit leaders, and academics. Topics for discussion will include the current civic imperatives facing cities, and how the arts are currently involved in addressing these issues, as well as what it means to be a successful community organization in each of various cities. In the second phase of the project, Ballet Memphis will pilot these new ideas using Memphis and its professional dance company as a lab with the goal of providing a national model for other companies to explore.
Ballet Memphis is dedicated to building on the creative energy that has always driven the city. As a maker and interpreter of their region’s cultural legacy through dance, production and training, Ballet Memphis artists are creating original artistic works at the studios. Every day its talented dancers, who come to live in Memphis from all over the world, are bringing these magnificent works to life. And every day Ballet Memphis is carving out a spot for Memphis on the national artistic map. Additionally, Ballet Memphis’ education program has received national acclaim from the Wolf Trap Foundation.
In 2001, Ballet Memphis became the first-ever Memphis arts organization to appear on a main stage in the nation’s cultural capitol when the Company performed at New York’s Kaye Playhouse to enthusiastic reviews by the New York press. The Company was also featured in Fast Company and The Wall Street Journal. Ballet Memphis scored another big win with the addition of internationally-renowned choreographer Trey McIntyre to its staff. Trey joined Ballet Memphis in the 2002-2003 season as the Company’s first-ever choreographer-in-residence, producing two works for Ballet Memphis each year. In April of 2003, Ballet Memphis was one of nine companies invited to perform in Houston’s Dance Salad along with The Royal Swedish Ballet, Netherlands Dance Theater and the Dutch National Ballet.
Ballet Memphis has created an environment and numerous opportunities for its dancers to grow as choreographers, as this is one of its highest priorities. Dancers are able to choreograph their first pieces for the Junior Company, then work with professional dancers as part of InteriorWorks, the annual show produced by company members. As they continue to grow as dance makers, they have the opportunity to present works in “Momentum: The Emerging Choreographers’ Showcase.” Those that have made it to the main stage include Steven McMahon, Joseph Jefferies, Damien Patterson and Garrett Ammon.
THE POSITION
The Managing Director works in partnership with the Artistic Director/CEO to support the artistic vision and mission of the organization and to engage the community in embracing Ballet Memphis as a vital component of the quality of life in Memphis and as a cultural ambassador for the City. The position is responsible for the hands-on leadership, management and oversight of all audience development and administrative operations of Ballet Memphis, including its School, Pilates program, performances and other events that impact its many stakeholders. Reporting to the Artistic Director/CEO, leadership includes oversight of strategic planning and implementation, community relations, audience development, fundraising and marketing, financial management, educational outreach, and board relations..
The Managing Director has responsibility for all matters pertaining to implementation of Ballet Memphis projects and activities, including 1) maximizing audience development, earned and contributed revenue for the institution, , 2) overseeing all marketing, communications and public relations activities for Ballet Memphis School, Pilates, and other programs, 3) developing, overseeing, monitoring and report on the organization’s budget and financial position, 4) guiding the efficiency and impact of the Ballet Memphis School and 5) supervising staff that guide operations, fundraising, marketing, public relations, facilities, technology, and financial management, as well as the administrative support team needed to implement artistic programs.
TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS
The selected candidate will be a team-oriented individual with the ability to build trust among stakeholders, help shape the big picture while effectively implementing the many details that will define a finely tuned organizational infrastructure. A strategic thinker with exemplary supervisory skills and demonstrable interpersonal, organizational, analytical and communication expertise is required. Ballet Memphis seeks an individual with an optimistic orientation and “can do” attitude who easily adapts to changing work flows, community and institutional needs as required of a vibrant cultural institution.
Additionally, the candidate should demonstrate the following competencies:
Customer Focus — Consistently places a high value on ticket buyers, donors, students, parents, and the broader Memphis community. Objectively listens to, understands and represents stakeholder feedback, anticipates community needs and develops appropriate solutions. Meets all promises and commitments made to stakeholders.
Results Orientation — Identifies strategic initiatives and embraces a comprehensive organizational focus that most effectively mobilizes human, technical and financial resources to maximize results.
Self Management– Independently initiates and pursues objectives in an organized and efficient manner, prioritizes activities, maintains level of activity without direct supervision and maximizes team interaction to complete high quality work on time.
Interpersonal Skills — Initiates and develops relationships in positive ways. Successfully works with a wide range of people at varying levels both inside and outside the organization. Communicates with others in ways that are clear and considerate. Demonstrates ease in relating to a diverse range of people.
Goal Achievement — Establishes goals that are relevant, realistic and attainable. Identifies and implements required plans and milestones to achieve specific goals. Stays on target to complete goals and devises best practices to overcome obstacles.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Institutional Advancement and Community Relations
Devises and implements effective audience and community development initiatives,
Establishes in-depth marketing/public relations plans including print, radio, television and promotional materials with the Marketing Director.
Implements and monitors progress of marketing plans in concert with the Marketing Director.
Oversees effective sales of tickets and subscriptions with the goal of increasing audience participation and patron satisfaction with the Marketing Director.
Serves as a primary spokesperson to the community along with the Artistic Director/CEO in clearly articulating the mission and impact of Ballet Memphis.
Oversees development activities including assisting identification and cultivation of potential funding sources with Director of Development.
Provides stewardship for annual fundraising activities from individual, foundation, corporation and government agency supporters in concert with the Director of Development and Development Committee of the Board.
Participates in planning appropriate fundraising events with Development Director and volunteers.
Uses educational outreach programs to increase awareness of the Company by corporations, granting sources, and the general public with the Marketing Director, Development Director, and School Principal.
Ensures that education program impacts are effectively communicated to stakeholders and that Ballet Memphis is best serving the community’s needs in this area.
Serves as a primary contact with media, foundations, arts community leaders and other institutional stakeholders as needed.
Guides the creation and timely release of all printed materials including Ballet marketing publications, newsletters, and press releases that generate interest and community participation and support
Strategic Planning and Governance
Works with Artistic Director/CEO, Board of Directors and Executive Committee in the development and implementation of long range plans.
Works with Artistic Director/CEO, Board of Directors, and Executive Committee to oversee the Long Range Plan, including program development, financial support, facility needs and organizational structure.
Evaluates progress towards goals on a regular basis with the Board, Artistic Director/CEO, and senior staff.
Strategizes the best use of Board resources with the President in developing policy-driven and critical-action item agendas for the Executive Committee and board meetings.
Prepares written reports for presentation to the executive committee and board.
Finance and Administration.
Supervises the preparation and timely financial reporting and oversees the annual operating and capital budgeting and works with the Finance Committee of the Board to track and project income and expenses.
Collaborates with Artistic Director/CEO and Production Manager on artistic budget development for upcoming season and determining feasibility of financing new strategic initiatives.
Monitors expenses to budget with all departments, coordinates proper expense allocations with Controller, and mentors staff on effective budget monitoring and reporting.
Hires, trains, and supervises administrative staff, mobilizes volunteers, and oversees the effective use of financial and technological resources needed to achieve the organization’s goals and objectives.
Monitors employee performance against objectives, while mentoring, guiding, and providing appropriate leadership.
Creates human resources policies, practices, and procedures with appropriate Board input to ensure that they comply with state and federal employment laws and regulations.
Establishes an administrative environment and decision-making process that promotes a positive working atmosphere and collegial staff relations.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required and advanced degree preferred. At least 5-10 years senior management experience with increasing levels of general management responsibility. Passion for and demonstrable results in an arts, educational, or cultural organization preferred. Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a participatory leadership style in working collaboratively with artistic personnel, staff and volunteers. Compensation is very competitive and commensurate with experience.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Competitive with generous benefits, including medical/dental insurance, 401(k) contribution plan, vacation, sick leave and holidays.
APPLICATIONS AND INQUIRIES
Send letter and resume with demonstrable accomplishments to:
Mr. Daniel Zanella, Vice President
Arts Consulting Group, Inc.
1040 Avenue of the Americas, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Tel: (212) 918-1498
Fax: (212) 931-8544
E-Mail: balletmemphis@artsconsulting.com
