Managing Director

Position: Managing Director / Full-time salaried, one-year contract, renewable

Location/start: company office, Washington, DC; begins on or about April 1, 2026

Term: April 1, 2026-March 31, 2027 with extension or renewal possible

Reports to: Artistic Director/Interim Artistic Team and Board of Directors

Status: 40 hours per week with four days in the office with staff, one day remote, work Board and Committee meetings, attend evening/weekend events and performances as needed

Required: Background check and three references

Compensation: $70,000 annual salary, medical benefits, four weeks of paid vacation

Chamber Dance Project, dancers & musicians, is Washington’s premier contemporary ballet company. We are entering a transitional year as award-winning choreographer and Founding Artistic Director, Diane Coburn Bruning, retires in July 2026 and an Interim Artistic Team will take over as we search for a new Artistic Director.

We are seeking an outstanding and experienced, responsible, detail-oriented, articulate and personable Managing Director. The Managing Director (MD) works to support the vision of the Artistic Director (AD)/Interim Artistic Team (IAT) (after June) and the mission of the company working closely with and reporting to the AD/IAT. The MD oversees day-to-day operations of the company. The MD is responsible for supervising administrative staff, financial management, reviewing and executing all contracts in partnership with AD and the company’s attorney as needed. The MD works actively with the Board and Board Committees, the Ambassador’s Circle and takes a strong role in development, strategic planning and community relations. The MD coordinates efforts to obtain touring and appearances at national summer festival opportunities raising the profile of the company and garnering more work for the artists. Onboarding in following areas will be prioritized over time.

Administration (45%)

●     Supervise day-to-day operations of the company, administration and staff

●     Personnel management, including but not limited to:

• In conjunction with AD/IAT, supervise all staff, including coaching, mentoring, performance management and training
• In conjunction with Artistic Director, recruit all levels of employees including contracting artists and execute independent contractor contracts, background checks and NDAs
•  Maintain job descriptions
• Maintain employee records
• Manage termination processes to include exit interviews and succession planning
• Coordinate volunteers

●     Manage all work in the company’s CRM

●     Manage and maintain on all company documents and external websites (e.g., Dance/USA)

●     Set agendas and direct bi-weekly staff meetings

●     Manage insurances, leases, state charitable registrations and other accounts

Financial Management (15%)

●     Works Closely with the Board Treasurer and Bookkeeper

●     Oversee all day-to-day financial and business matters

●     In conjunction with the AD/IAT prepare and implement budget for the FY

●     Oversee and payments of all staff, production, artists, venues and vendors working with Bookkeeper

●     Review staff invoices and approve oversee payments

●     Track receivables, payables and do cash projections, manage accounts and review our 990 with Bookkeeper

Development /Marketing(15%)

●     Donor Development

• Actively engage with donors at all levels on a regular basis meeting with top donors and prospects in person
• With Development Associate, manage the membership program including membership drives and benefits
• Work in coordination with AD/IAT to cultivate and steward new donors, corporate and foundation sponsors
• Oversee staff working on donor acknowledgements, CRM updates and sorts to ensure  accurate donor and membership information

• Manage, in conjunction with the Artistic Director, all educational and internship programs, including identifying and cultivating organizational partners

●     Grants: Assist grant writer in executing grant applications and reports

●     Fundraising events: Take a lead in planning and executing fundraising events with the AD and Board and staff

●     Support the work of the Marketing Director as requested

Programming and Production Support (10%)

●     Work closely with AD/IAT and Production Manager to provide administrative services for the programs and productions

●     Create and execute all venue, production, staff and artist contracts

●     Staff and manage all aspects of front of house for performances and events

●     Work with venue box office and/or ticketing platform

Work with Board (10%)

●     Actively work to support the work of the Board of Directors and attend all Board meetings

●     Support the Artistic Director search

●     Provide the board with bi-weekly reports to inform them of work in all areas

●     Work to identify and cultivate new Board members

●     Assist board leadership with recruitment, education and board member development

●     Serve as the staff liaison on one or more Board Committees

●     Oversee staff reporting to and supporting Board meetings, retreats, events

Touring/Advocacy (5%)

●     Take the lead in conjunction with the AD/IAT to obtain summer touring and residency opportunities including with major national summer dance festivals

●     Seek new opportunities and partnerships in the DC Metro area for performances and residencies with goal of expanding season and work for the artists

●     Build a strong relationship with the national dance community and with the local arts community

●     In conjunction with the AD/IAT, present the public face of the company and when called upon, speak to private and public organizations and to the press

Qualifications, Skills and Experience Required

●     Four-year college degree

●     Preferred 4-5 years of leadership with a performing arts organization

●     Significant financial management experience.

●     Preferred arts management, development and strategic planning experience

●     Excellent ability to organize, prioritize, and manage diverse tasks while meeting deadlines

●     Great attention to quality, detail and accuracy of work

●     Takes initiative in anticipating and solving challenges

●     Past success working with a Board of Directors with the ability to successfully cultivate current and new board members

●     Works well with others having proven leadership and relationship management experience

●     Proven track record as a fundraiser

●     Strong written and verbal communication skills

●     Proactive, responsible, personable and outgoing approach to work, board and donors

For more information: chamberdance.org. To apply, kindly email a cover letter, CV with three references to apply@chamberdance.org with Managing Director in the subject line to by March 2, 2026.