POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Director of Government Affairs
A shared position between Dance/USA and OPERA America
Deadline to apply: Monday June 1, 2020
Title: Director of Government Affairs
Location: Washington, DC
Reports to: Executive Director of Dance/USA and President/CEO of OPERA America
Supervises: Seasonal Government Affairs Intern
Status: Full-time, exempt
Dance/USA and OPERA America are committed to honoring, nurturing and advancing dance and opera through the lens of equity, inclusion, and equal opportunity in all aspects of their programming, services, and organizations.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Director of Government Affairs for Dance/USA and OPERA America represents the fields of dance and opera before Congress, the White House, and federal government agencies. The position requires expertise in federal lobbying and advocacy, familiarity with the portfolio of federal arts policy issues, and a deep belief in the importance of the arts in society. The Director of Government Affairs is a position that relies on exceptional communication skills with numerous parties including the members of Dance/USA and OPERA America, the network of national arts service organizations, federal advocacy coalitions, and the staff and Boards of Dance/USA and OPERA America.
RESPONSIBILITIES – HIGH LEVEL OVERVIEW
Track key federal legislative issues related to arts funding, education, visas for foreign guest artists, cultural exchange, and nonprofit tax issues, in addition to other policy issues as they arise.
Regularly represent Dance/USA and OPERA America in meetings on Capitol Hill, with representatives from federal agencies, and other national arts, education, and nonprofit organizations on a variety of issues.
Participate as Dance/USA and OPERA America’s representative in all Performing Arts Alliance government affairs initiatives.
Participate as Dance/USA and OPERA America’s representative in other advocacy coalitions to support strategizing, planning, and lobbying activities.
Write, coordinate, and disseminate national Action Alerts and Advocacy Updates to the constituents of Dance/USA and OPERA America.
Coordinate member meetings on Capitol Hill, including Opera Advocacy Day each spring and Dance/USA’s Board of Director’s hill meetings each fall.
Design and implement periodic advocacy workshops for members of Dance/USA and OPERA America.
Communicate and disseminate information about relevant government and advocacy activities to Boards, memberships, and staff, including submitting written advocacy board reports.
Participate in key annual events for Dance/USA and OPERA America including board meetings, annual conferences, select members forums, and more.
ABOUT DANCE/USA & OPERA AMERICA
About Dance/USA
Dance/USA champions an inclusive and equitable dance field by leading, convening, advocating, and supporting individuals and organizations. Dance/USA’s core programs are focused in the areas of engagement, advocacy, research, and preservation.
Engagement. Dance/USA engages and activates its network through meaningful programs, convenings, and educational opportunities.
Advocacy. Dance/USA advocates for the increased visibility of, and engagement in, dance and for government policies that positively impact the dance field on a national, regional, and local level.
Research. Dance/USA provides rigorous, relevant, and accessible research on the dance field.
Preservation. Dance/USA provides resources and programs to advance the archiving and preservation of America’s dance legacy.
Dance/USA maintains core values of connectivity, creativity, equity, and integrity. Through the lens of equity, Dance/USA strives to remove the boundaries erected by a legacy of racism, classism, ableism, ageism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, gender bias, and xenophobia and we work to dismantle institutional and systemic oppression that attack the dance field’s progress, impede the creation of work, and negatively impact dance audiences and communities.
About OPERA America
OPERA America draws on resources and expertise from within and beyond the opera field to advance a mutually beneficial agenda that serves and strengthens the field through programs in the following categories:
Creation: Artistic services that help artists and companies increase the creativity and excellence of opera productions, especially North American works;
Presentation: Opera company services that address the specific needs of staff, trustees and volunteers;
Enjoyment: Education, audience development and community services that increase all forms of opera appreciation.
OPERA America maintains core values of equity, inclusion, and diversity. The organization believes that opera companies have an obligation to be more reflective of their communities and that the art form and the industry gain from diversity, equity and inclusion.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
Requires exceptional attention to detail, ability to manage multiple tasks, diplomacy, strong written and communications skills, and the ability to establish priorities.
Ability to work independently and to be a self-starter.
Experience with federal advocacy, lobbying, and government relations strongly preferred.
Bachelors Degree with a major in political science or arts administration preferred.
National nonprofit association experience preferred.
Strong computer skills required including a comfort with using Microsoft Office 365, Zoom, Slack, Trello, Voter Voice, Google Drive, and more.
SALARY AND COMPENSATION
Salary will be based on experience and includes health benefits, a retirement package, paid vacation, and life insurance to all full-time employees.
HOW TO APPLY - DEADLINE TO APPLY IS JUNE 1, 2020
Please email a cover letter, resume, and writing example to:
Casey John McEnelly
Director of Finance and Operations
Dance/USA
cmcenelly@danceusa.org
Internships and Fellowships at Dance/USA
Dance/USA, the voice for the professional field of dance, offers internships to aspiring arts administrators based at the national office, located in Washington, DC.
Dance/USA is committed to honoring, nurturing, and advancing dance through the lens of diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity in all aspects of its programming, services, and organization.
Internships are available in the following departments (click on the links below to view intern descriptions):
Communications
Development
Government Affairs
Programs
Membership
Research
Fellowships are available in the following departments:
To apply, interested candidates must complete our online application. Please email Dance/USA's Director of Finance and Operations Casey McEnelly with any questions.
Please find the Internship Application online here.
Internship positions may be available during the following, approximate, terms for 2019:
PLEASE NOTE not all departments offer an internship or fellowship position for each term.
Recent college graduates, current college juniors/seniors, and graduate students are eligible to apply! Those accepted will receive professional, on-the-job experience that is needed in today’s job market by working with and assisting our national office staff.
Stipends and university credit are also available.
With questions, call the Dance/USA national office at 202.833.1717.
