BALLET WEST, founded in 1963 by Willam Christensen, is one of America’s leading and largest ballet companies. The Company boasts a rich and varied repertoire, elegant and versatile artists and an American style and legacy that is as dynamic, expansive, and unexpected as the Rocky Mountain region it represents. Ballet West has toured the world several times, presenting the very best in American classical ballet. Nearly 100,000 students are served through outreach programs each year, reaching 100% of all Utah school districts. The Company continues to build future ballet artists and audiences by providing classical ballet training through the Frederick Quinney Lawson Ballet West Academy and its four campuses in downtown Salt Lake City, Pleasant Grove (Utah County), and Park City. With more than 1,000 students, it is the largest ballet and dance school in the Intermountain Region.
Responsibilities
I. Artistic Vision and Leadership
• Serve as the artistic leader of Ballet West. Develop and articulate a clear artistic vision for Ballet West– a vision that is innovative, inspirational, and engaging.
• Co-lead the organization with the Executive Director, consistently communicating purpose and vision to the staff and community.
• Collaborate with Board leadership and senior management to develop plans for achieving artistic and strategic goals. Effectively implement strategic plans adopted by the organization.
• Direct and lead all the artistic and production aspects of Ballet West, including planning seasons that will advance the organization’s mission and build audiences while maintaining fiscal integrity.
• Conceive, oversee, and enhance the high quality of Ballet West productions and the level of training of the dancers in all performances in Salt Lake City and on tour, in lecture demonstrations, and in all promotional activities.
• Select all dancers for the main company, Ballet West II, and the Ballet West Academy Trainee Program; determine retention and non-retention of all dancers in the main company, Ballet West II, and Ballet West Academy Trainee Program.
• Collaborate on and approve promotional and advertising images of Company artists for marketing, press, and social media.
• Serve as Artistic Director of the Frederick Quinney Lawson Ballet West Academy, fully aligning its work with Ballet West’s mission, vision, and values.
• Further diversity, inclusion, and accessibility through all facets of the organization.
• Oversee the Music Director, collaborating to bring outstanding musical accompaniment to productions featuring the Ballet West Orchestra.
II. Artistic Planning and Administration
• Supervise and nurture the professional development of dancers, artistic staff, FQL Ballet West Academy School Director, Education and Outreach Director, and leading production personnel in accordance with Ballet West HR policies including annual performance reviews; follow collective bargaining agreements into which Ballet West has entered.
• Maintain a program plan of no less than three, and ideally five years to assist in planning, budgeting, marketing, and fundraising.
• Participate in annual budgeting process.
• Support Ballet West’s external affairs department with campaigns designed to marketing each company season, tours and the FQL Academy.
• In conformity with Ballet West’s employment and hiring guidelines, goals for increasing diversity, and Board approved budget, oversee and approve the hiring, retention and termination of dancers and other artistic personnel (including, but not limited to, the School Director, Rehearsal Directors, Choreographers, Composers, Conductors, Music Director, FQL Academy faculty, Rehearsal Pianists, Set Designers, Lighting Designers, Costume Designers, etc.)
• Manage the FQL Ballet West Academy Director, ensuring that training is comported to professional standards and promotes ballet and dance in the community:
• Develop, collaborate, and oversee curriculum on ongoing basis.
• Approve teaching methods, syllabus, theory of technique or style of placement.
• Manage and oversee scheduling of classes, rehearsals, and performances with a focus on dancer health, fitness, and well-being.
• Approve all sets, costumes, and lighting designs.
III. Advocacy and Relationship Building
• Act as a face of Ballet West and one of the Ballet’s principal voices in the community.
• Work closely with the Executive Director and Board to accomplish fund-raising objectives of the Ballet, especially developing and maintaining key donor relationships.
• Attend all meetings of the Executive Committee of the Board and all meetings of the full Board, reporting on the activities of the Company and, as appropriate, academy and community programs.
• Participate in fundraising, marketing, and promotional activities as requested.
• Take a leading role in forging collaborations and partnerships to increase the visibility and importance of Ballet West.
• In concert with the marketing team, enhance the strength of the Ballet West brand throughout the region.
Education and Experience
Extensive experience in ballet performance and rehearsal skills. Overall knowledge of production requirements in all aspects of bringing large scale productions to performance standards.
• Extensive knowledge of ballet, dance, and ballet technique.
• An understanding and respect for stylistic differences and a flexibility in approach to each unique work.
• Good mentoring skills.
• Basic computer and audio equipment skills.
Requirements
I. Knowledge and Abilities
• Knowledge of various syllabi, teaching techniques.
• Abilities – choreography, repetiteur.
• Characteristics – patience, intuition, creativity.
• Experience- 10 years of performing and teaching.
• Flexible availability during rehearsal and production periods.
• Ability to solve problems and deal with student emergencies including, but not limited to, injury and illness.
• A passion for working with students of all ages.
• Positive attitude and inspiring presence.
• Sound interpersonal and team building skills.
• Ability to work closely with the artistic, production, and management staff.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills.
II. Physical Requirements
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time. The position may require walking primarily on a level surface for long periods throughout the day and demonstrating/correcting dance steps and choreography. The employee must have visual acuity to read and draft reports, memos, letters, etc. Specific vision and aural abilities required by this job include vision and hearing adequate for the incumbent to perform the responsibilities and functions of the job efficiently. Must be able to speak English and communicate clearly.
Background check required after a conditional offer of employment. Ballet West may deny or terminate employment based on background check results, subject to applicable laws.
Interested parties should contact:
Michael M. Kaiser
Chair
DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management
Attention: AJCohen@devosinstitute.net
Ballet West embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. Ballet West is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against due to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.
