Job Description

About Ballet Memphis

Founded in 1986 with the goal of establishing a ballet company reflective of the greater Memphis community, Ballet Memphis’ mission is to reveal and celebrate the human spirit

through dance and movement. Now in its 38th season, Ballet Memphis operates along four programmatic pillars: the professional dance company, the Ballet Memphis School, robust

year-round Pilates and wellness offerings for adults, and a growing body of community impact work.

Ballet Memphis’ professional company performs well-known classical ballets as well as new works prioritizing a diversity of voices, styles, stories and creators that represent the richness of the human experience. It connects with audiences through original interpretations of narrative ballets that are accessible and tailored to the company’s size and resources, and has built an acclaimed original repertoire that speaks of the cultural significance of the area. The company, which has toured to prestigious stages such as The Joyce Theater and the Kennedy Center, stages a full season of classical and modern dance including performances at Memphis' historic Orpheum Theater. In 2017, Ballet Memphis moved into a custom-built, award-winning facility in a vibrant arts district, featuring a large-scale performance studio, classrooms, Pilates studio, and costume shop, as well as community meeting spaces and exceptional rental opportunities for events of all sizes.

Ballet Memphis School, the organization’s longest-standing program, continues to serve as the Mid-South's premier education and training facility for dancers ages 3-18 throughout the school year. It offers personalized ballet instruction tailored to each student’s abilities and artistic development. The most advanced students can audition for and join Youth Ballet Memphis, which provides opportunities to develop and showcase their technique and artistry through

professional-level performances. Ballet Memphis School also hosts summer camps and intensives each year.

Ballet Memphis offers Pilates and wellness classes for adults of all ages and abilities. In addition to private and semi-private Pilates instruction, there are group mat and equipment classes for all levels. Ballet Memphis is also a Licensed Training Center for training and certifying new Pilates instructors. Ballet Memphis also offers adult classes in classical ballet and modern dance, as well as an adult summer intensive.

Community impact offerings include Inclusive Dance for children and young adults with

developmental disabilities, a Dance for Parkinson’s class, and dance and movement classes taught in Spanish and English for bilingual youth. Ballet Memphis also partners with other local nonprofits such as Young Actors Guild, Stax Music Academy and Memphis River Parks.

Ballet Memphis embraces creativity and innovation, continuously exploring new works and ideas. It remains a welcoming space that encourages artistic experimentation and connection, inspiring audiences and dancers alike.

Position Summary

The Executive Director (ED) of Ballet Memphis will serve as a co-leader of the organization alongside the Artistic Director, sharing responsibility for overall strategic direction, financial sustainability, and organizational growth. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED will be a visible advocate and spokesperson, driving community engagement and fostering strong partnerships. This role requires a dynamic, visionary leader with a passion for the arts, exceptional fundraising and business acumen, and the ability to collaborate effectively to balance artistic and operational priorities.

In close partnership with Artistic Director Steven McMahon, the ED will implement Ballet Memphis’s artistic vision, ensuring alignment with strategic and financial goals. Together, they will play a pivotal role in sustaining and expanding Ballet Memphis’s legacy as a premier arts institution, renowned for its innovative repertoire and long-held commitment to reflecting the diverse Memphis community. The ED will lead efforts to enhance financial sustainability, grow the donor base, and maximize earned revenue opportunities, while fostering an inclusive and inspiring organizational culture. With the Artistic Director, the ED will be instrumental in nurturing Ballet Memphis’ artistic and educational pillars: a full season of classical and modern dance, robust

community programs, and a ballet school known for its individualized approach to training.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a beloved cultural institution, leveraging its strong foundation to envision and execute a future of expanded community impact, national prominence, and lasting financial stability. If you are a strategic thinker, an adept fundraiser, an advocate for the arts, and a leader driven to inspire and connect, we invite you to bring your expertise and passion to Ballet Memphis.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Vision
• Fundraising & Donor Relations
• Financial Leadership
• Board Development
• Community Engagement
• Team & Culture Management
• Artistic Partnership

Qualifications

• Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor cultivation, and endowment campaigns.
• Proven experience in executive leadership within the arts or nonprofit sectors.
• Strong financial acumen and business management expertise.
• Exceptional leadership, relationship-building, and communication skills.
• Passion for the arts, with an understanding or appreciation of ballet.
• Experience with board governance and nonprofit best practices.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Connection to Memphis or enthusiasm for embracing the city’s culture.
• Experience navigating organizational financial challenges.
• Understanding of the unique demands of the arts work culture.
• Background in arts education or performance.

Compensation

Compensation for the Executive Director is $140,000 to $160,000 annually based on experience and includes an excellent package of employee benefits.

To Apply

Interested applicants should send a resume and a statement of interest to Jonathan McIntosh, Partner and Hannah GoslingGoldsmith, Recruiter with ThinkingAhead Executive Search: jmcintosh@thinkingahead.com; hgoslinggoldsmith@thinkingahead.com.

Contact Information

Jonathan McIntosh

Partner, ThinkingAhead Executive Search 615-391-2650

jmcintosh@thinkingahead.com

Hannah GoslingGoldsmith

Recruiter, ThinkingAhead Executive Search 615-391-2598

hgoslinggoldsmith@thinkingahead.com

Ballet Memphis works to sustain an environment that is consciously inclusive of all races, ages, religions, sexual identities, gender expressions, and abilities. We renounce racism as well as any other system or structure that perpetuates exclusion and causes harm. Our excellence derives from our diversity and we commit to continuously challenging ourselves as well as old ideas and outdated norms that hinder the full celebration of our collective humanity.

ThinkingAhead Executive Search is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a work environment that supports, inspires and respects all individuals. Personnel processes are merit-based and applied without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, disability, national or ethnic ancestry, military service status, citizenship, or other protected characteristic. This applies to every aspect of employment including hiring, training, advancement and termination. The firm is committed to creating a just culture of diversity, equity and inclusion by practicing, within the company and the marketplace we serve, intentional strategies that serve marginalized individuals and groups.

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