Please attach/upload a current resume and cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position.

Job Description

Managing Director, Five College Dance

Five Colleges, Incorporated (FCI) seeks a managing director to help continue its 40-year mission of excellence in academic dance. Five College Dance (FCD) is composed of the dance departments/programs of Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke and Smith Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

FCD models innovative collaboration in the arts in higher education. With five different institutions, seven dance degree programs, 17 fully produced concerts, and more than 100 studio and theory courses each year, FCD is among the largest higher education dance programs in the nation, and home to a broad range of curricular and performing offerings. Using the resources of Five Colleges, Incorporated and its member institutions, Five College Dance coordinates course schedules, performances, lectures, and many related activities across the Five Colleges.

The Managing Director manages the operations of FCD on behalf of the faculty, attending to individual campus needs and priorities while administering the whole. Applying a strong understanding of higher education and arts administration, the Managing Director serves as an advocate for FCD’s mission. The Managing Director interacts with the FCD faculty, supervises and supports FCD staff members, and, with faculty input, sets agendas for full faculty meetings, executive committee meetings, and faculty retreats. This staff position does not include teaching responsibilities and is not a voting member of the faculty. The Managing Director reports to the FCI Director of Academic Programs and is also expected to work in close collaboration and consultation with the executive committee of FCD.

This is a full-time, exempt, benefited position with Five Colleges, Incorporated. It is an in-person onsite role; the primary work location for this position is on the campus of Hampshire College in Amherst.

Importance of Diversity to our Educational Mission

Five Colleges, Incorporated and its five associated institutions (Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke and Smith Colleges and the University of Massachusetts Amherst) are committed to supporting and sustaining a diversity of people, backgrounds, experiences, ideas and points of view for the essential contribution this diversity makes to educational missions of our organizations. In support of this commitment Five Colleges requires all of its employees to work cooperatively and effectively with the diversity of people at the colleges (students, faculty members, other employees) and within the organization itself.

Duties

• Supervise FCD staff, including the production manager and assistant production manager, as well as work-study students.

• Manage the FCD budget and agreements, contracts, and MOUs, while adhering to FCI policies and practices.

• Coordinate the combined course schedules and course rotations.

• With faculty input, set agendas for and convene faculty retreats and meetings of the executive committee and the full faculty.

• In consultation with staff musicians, recruit and schedule contracted musicians to accompany technique courses.

• Conduct annual fundraising through grant writing for joint FCD projects, in keeping with FCI and member institutions’ fundraising guidelines and protocols.

• Assist faculty in coordinating resources, performance and audition schedules, and a calendar of dance events from all campuses.

• Plan and realize (with faculty input) annual events, which may include the fall lecture, alumni career panels, guest artist residencies, the FCD concert, and collaborations across curricular and co-curricular activities.

• Manage guest artist projects.

• Manage internal and external communications for FCD, including the website and the annual newsletter.

• Facilitate dance faculty connections related to research and teaching.

• Act as a public relations liaison with local communities, alumni, and national arts scenes.

• Act as an advocate for FCD both in the Five Colleges and the larger field.

• Be a partner occasionally to individual campus initiatives that are not official FCD initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

• BA (or equivalent)

• At least four years of experience in academic and/or professional performing arts administration or a related area, or an equivalent combination

• Experience managing operations, budgets, and staff

• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and written and verbal communication skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Zoom, and social media platforms

• Experience working effectively with multiple groups, such as faculty, students, and visiting artists

• Proven ability to direct and implement a variety of operations and activities, to communicate policies and procedures to individuals at all levels, and to use problem solving and negotiating skills

• Skills in facilitating meetings and group decision-making processes

• Ability to manage relations with local, regional, national, and international arts communities and organizations

• The physical and mental expectations of the position include: Ability to comprehend written and verbal communication; ability to communicate effectively in person, and via telephone, videoconference, and email; and ability to sit or stand for extended periods

• Access to reliable transportation for travel between campuses. (Employees driving for work must have a valid driver’s license and adhere to the driver credentialing policy.)

• Ability to pass a post-offer background check

Preferred Qualifications

• Arts administration experience

• MA or MFA degree

• Enthusiasm for dance and performance

Please attach BOTH a current resume and a cover letter for your application to be considered for this position. You may combine your resume and cover letter into a single file or attach multiple files, but be sure to add all attachments BEFORE SUBMITTING your application. You will NOT be able to attach additional files after clicking the Submit button.

For priority consideration, please apply by May 25, 2022.

Position Type:

Regular

About Five Colleges, Inc.

Five Colleges, Incorporated, sustains and enriches the excellence of its members -- Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, and Smith colleges and the University of Massachusetts Amherst -- through academic and administrative collaboration. The consortium facilitates intellectual communities and broad curricular and cocurricular offerings; affording learning, research, performance and social opportunities that complement the distinctive qualities of each institution.

Five Colleges, Inc. is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or veteran status in the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, and the operation of any of its programs and activities, as specified by all applicable laws and regulations. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.