Be a Star at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts!

Straz Center for the Performing Arts seeks a visionary leader with a passion for artistic excellence and educational impact to serve as chair of the Patel Conservatory dance department and as artistic director of Straz Center's pre-professional Next Generation Ballet (NGB).

The chair will be the creative force and strategic architect behind the artistic vision and academic direction of the fully accredited Patel Conservatory's dance department. From curating a compelling performance season for NGB to innovating curriculum design to leading a high-caliber faculty and delivering masterful instruction, leadership from the chair will set the tone for excellence. The chair drives student recruitment with energy and purpose, serving as the charismatic public face of Patel Conservatory's dance department and NGB - engaging with families, donors and the broader arts community to champion our mission.

Beyond the studio and stage, the chair will inspire and manage a team of passionate educators and administrators, coordinate volunteers and cultivate a welcoming, inclusive environment that empowers dancers of all ages to thrive. As a key ambassador for NGB, the chair will lead outreach initiatives, host auditions and spearhead promotional events, all while aligning artistic programming with financial sustainability.

Located in downtown Tampa, the 335,000 square-foot Straz Center, one of the largest performing arts complexes in the country, offers a team-based work environment that shows our dedication to the community every day. We reward our full-time employees with a strong benefits package including options for health/dental, vision, etc., discounted downtown parking, food and show discounts, plus a generous 403(b) plan and up to 26 days of PTO/Holidays per year.

Essential Functions:

Programs, Productions, and Curriculum

• Develop dance curriculum, provide resources for teachers, and oversee instructional content relating to dance in coordination with faculty and the Vice President of Education & Community Engagement, to provide across all disciplines.
• Teach dance classes and outreach and/or serve as PCYB and Next Generation Ballet director as determined jointly with the Vice President of Education & Community Engagement.
• Develop and oversee long range plans for the strategic plan development for dance program.
• Prepare class schedules, calendars, recitals, and curriculum changes.
• Act as Artistic Director of Next Generation Ballet, lead all artistic endeavors for NGB, including but not limited to visioning the season in partnership with the Vice President of Education & Community Engagement and the CEO. This includes:
  • Ballet Repertoire selection
  • Recruitment and hiring of dancers (Professional & NGB/PCYB Students)
  • Selection of associated contract artists (lighting, stage management, choreographers, and wardrobe)
  • Selection of other production related elements including sets, costumes, and choreography.

Next Generation Ballet Recruitment

• Oversee and implement national summer audition tour for Next Generation Ballet's Senior Dance Intensive which requires extensive travel during January and February each year.
• Be a representative in the community building connections with local Dance Companies, Artists, and Dance Programs in Magnet Art Schools & Universities.

Business, Management, and Administration

• Create and manage the dance budget and budget-related tasks as directed by the Vice President of Education & Community Engagement.
• Advise new and continuing students; Hold regular office hours; Perform tasks related to student admissions, transfer, and student/program assessment.
• Address student concerns, complaints, and appeals in accordance with policy and standard operating procedures while acting as a liaison among students, parents, and artistic staff, and conveying relevant information to parents, students, artistic staff, and Conservatory staff.
• Supervise and evaluate all program staff; mentor faculty; recruit and hire adjunct faculty, student assistants, and graduate assistants.
• Lead dance program reviews and accreditation efforts.
• Negotiate contracts, hire, and supervise artistic faculty.
• Coordinate volunteers and dance staff, serving as a liaison for all dance faculty.
• Ensure consistency in dance policies in relation to overall Conservatory policies and procedures.
• Provide regular feedback regarding faculty and student performance to the Vice President of Education & Community Engagement.

Marketing

• Prepare and update program brochures and website content in coordination with the Marketing Department; collaborate with Marketing Department to ensure content accuracy and timeliness.
• Gather program and sales data for preparation of documents and reports as needed.
• Represent the Conservatory and Center off campus at functions and for press purposes.
• Serve on our chair's internal committees, as appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned by the Vice President of Education and Community Engagement (CE).

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Supervise Dance Department staff, faculty, artists, volunteers, and interns.
• Attend regularly scheduled Patel Conservatory management meetings.
• Help to recruit students and participate in programmatic marketing efforts, as requested.
• Represent Next Generation Ballet nationally and internationally as needed through endeavors including but not limited to dance competition coaching and judging.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):

• Expertise in producing, choreographing, or staging professional ballet productions. Extensive knowledge of dance education (course of study, syllabus, and style), business, and production practices.
• Demonstrated experience with setting, monitoring, and managing to a budget.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully staff and manage a team by utilizing effective recruitment practices, coaching and mentoring staff, providing feedback, and acting with professionalism and the highest level of business ethics to lead by example.
• Strong organizational, multi-tasking, assessment, and planning skills.
• Experience with establishing and maintaining positive, collaborative relationships with administrators, educators, artists, children, and parents.
• Strong communication skills (both verbal and written).
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications.

Education and Work Experience:

• College degree in dance or arts administration preferred.
• Equivalent work experience as a dance educator, professional performing career, and/or choreographer may be substituted.
• Administrative, teaching, and/or choreography/performance and dance presenting experience required.

Work Environment:

The work environmental characteristics described here represent those an employee encounter while performing the primary functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their primary functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to perform physical activities that require considerable use of arms and legs and moving the entire body such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials (such as props, costumes, etc.). The employee is frequently required to traverse the facility or remain in a stationary position; reach; communicate; observe details at close range; and discern auditory and visual cues (required for performance, teaching, listening to music, choreography, etc.).
• The nature of this job requires the employee to work on-site as part of a regular work routine.

Travel:

• Travel to and serves as a judge for Local, Regional and National Dance Competitions as deemed necessary

The David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to being an inclusive workplace and strongly believes in the importance of having a diverse group of individuals represented. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.

Please visit our website at to learn more about the Straz Center.