Position Summary:

The Program Manager plays a leadership role in all aspects of the administration for the Dance department and artistic support for the Artistic Director of Dance. They will be responsible for teaching a select number of classes as part of their teaching duties. The Program Manager works closely with Teaching Artists, key stakeholders, students, families and other COCA employees. This is a planning and execution heavy role with strong project management skills required.

 

Essential Functions:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

 

  • Serve as a key member of the COCA’s Dance department.
  • Raise COCA’s visibility by representing COCA’s Dance Program in internal and external meetings.
  • Work in collaboration with Human Resources to seek, hire, and orient highly qualified dance Teaching Artists.
  • Observe and evaluate Teaching Artists while they are teaching dance classes following COCA’s evaluation cycle.
  • Manage and execute the logistical planning process and weekend events for RSIA and RDA
  • Manage and execute the planning process, staffing and scheduling of Dance Showcase.
  • Manage logistics and staffing related to any workshops and/or master classes that are scheduled.
  • Manage the logistics of dance performances at COCA’s fundraisers Flame and COCAcabana in collaboration with the PPD Manager. 
  • Work with the Production team to prepare, publish, and distribute production packets and collect information for dance performance programs. 
  • Work with the Artistic Director to arrange and communicate to PPD Manager any outside performances, such as “Spring to Dance” and COCA development events.
  • Work with and communicate to Operations/Patron Services class combinations and staffing during residencies and production weeks. Communicate class changes to affected instructors and Accompanist Coordinator at least two weeks in advance.
  • Work with Registration Office on placement, transfers and schedules for Dance students.
  • Work with the Artistic Director of Dance on the dance class schedule annually. Prepare on-site dance class grids (Fall, Winter/Spring, Summer) that reflect and communicate the design; participate in the class information audit.
  • Attend artistic team meetings surrounding season planning to brainstorm with and support the Artistic Director of Dance in decisions. 
  • Work with the Artistic Director to assign instructors for each given semester and put those assignments in the tools for Registration to pull into LOA’s.
  • Assist in the fundraising for program sustainability by tracking dance participation that relates to grant funding, as applicable.
  • Implement assessment tools and evaluation documentation for measuring program effectiveness for PPD, productions and on-site dance classes.
  • Collaborate with the Artistic Director of Dance, Sr Director of Arts Strategy and Programs and the Sr. Director of Finance to establish and oversee an annual budget for the dance budgets.
  • Monitor the dance expenses monthly and compare to budget expectations.
  • Build positive morale and develop trust, loyalty, and excitement about the program with the faculty, students and parents.
  • Work with Artistic Director of Dance to select faculty to include on Qualified Sub Lists for Patron Services.
  • Work with the registration department and dance faculty on scheduling dance make up classes.
  • Work with the Operations team to ensure classrooms are ready at the top of the semester and to maintain studio storage.
  • Provide dance faculty recommendations for other COCA programs, including but not limited to COCA on-site and off-site camps, workshops and community programs.
  • Teach up to four (4) classes per semester (Fall, Winter/Spring and Summer)
  • Support dance intensives and summer dance recruitment efforts.
  • Attend weekly rehearsals, technical rehearsals and performances of the company, performing duties including, but not limited to giving warm-ups, taking notes, helping backstage, stage-managing, etc. as needed.
  • Attend and support guest choreographer residencies, as assigned.
  • Re-stage company repertoire.
  • Support the execution of dance auditions with the Artistic Director of Dance and Pre-Professional Division Manager.
  • Advise students on appropriate class placement through discussion with other faculty and having students attend Placement Days; and the execution of PPD dance schedules.

 

Education and/ or Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree and significant professional dance experience required.
  • Five (5) or more years of administrative experience preferred.
  • Experience and enthusiasm working in arts is required.
  • Excellent oral, written, presentation and teaching skills.
  • Proficient computer skills required, specifically with Microsoft Office.
  • A commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

 

Competencies:

  • Ability to problem-solve, be flexible, imaginative and innovative. Ability to take initiative in the development of ideas and programs.
  • Possess and demonstrate an excellent work ethic, positive attitude and sense of humor.
  • Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification.
  • Participates in meetings and demonstrates group presentation skills.
  • Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently. Plans for additional resources; organizes or schedules other people and their tasks.
  • Strong customer service skills, able to tailor communication between internal team members, students and student families.

 

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

  • Ability to physically demonstrate and model the physical stamina and skills necessary for performing arts activities.
  • This position may need to move objects weighing up to 20 pounds for various needs.
  • Ability to communicate so others will be able to clearly understand instruction.
  • Ability to stand and circulate for extended periods.
  • Ability to bend, twist, stoop, kneel and reach in all directions.
  • This position is required to work onsite. At times, it will be acceptable for this position to work remotely at the discretion of their supervisor.

This position requires nights and weekends for classes, performance & event schedules.