Opportunities at Dance/USA

Title: Director of Advancement
Location: National; the Dance/USA is headquartered in Washington, DC
Accountable to: Executive Director
Supports: Communications Specialist and Institutional Giving Consultant
Status: Full Time Employee

Established in 1982, Dance/USA is the national service organization for professional dance, serving a broad cross-section of the dance field. Dance/USA is committed to honoring, nurturing, and advancing the dance ecosystem through the lens of equity and inclusion in all aspects of its operations, programming, and services. Dance/USA is continuing to transform itself into an anti-racist, multicultural organization that operates with inclusionary practices at its core and amplifies the voices of individuals who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities.

Our Vision: Propelled by our belief that dance can inspire a more just and humane world, Dance/USA will amplify the power of dance to inform and inspire a nation where creativity and the field thrive.

Our Mission: 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.

Our Values: Dance/USA’s core values are Connectivity, Creativity, Equity, and Integrity. Read more about our core values here.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
The Director of Advancement (DoA) will be responsible for providing innovative direction and strategic leadership for Dance/USA’s overall advancement in alignment with our strategic priorities, core values, and guiding priorities. In partnership with Dance/USA’s Executive Director, the DoA’s singular focus will be to ensure Dance/USA’s external voice is intentional, clear, and consistent. Their ability to be an expert storyteller and articulate impact will be key. To accomplish this, the DoA will be responsible for securing Dance/USA’s annual contributed revenue which equates to approximately 80% of the organization’s overall budget and will provide direction and opportunities for growth as it relates to our on-going outreach strategies to various stakeholders.

The DoA will be fully engaged in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of institutional, corporate, and individual giving and acutely focused on how to articulate and disseminate Dance/USA’s impact to our member community, the dance ecosystem, the nonprofit sector, and press. The DoA may utilize various tactics to accomplish this (including but not limited to Dance/USA’s website, direct e-communications, and social media – specifically Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn), and should do so in collaboration with all members of the Dance/USA Team with a particular emphasis on partnering with Dance/USA’s Communications Specialist and Institutional Giving Consultant.

Additionally, the DoA will support the work of a Dance/USA Board Committee.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Institutional Fundraising: Approximately 70 % of Dance/USA’s operating budget is comprised of institutional giving, which is a mix of government and foundation support. The DoA will be a strategic collaborator with Dance/USA’s Executive Director to achieve and grow the organization’s institutional fundraising goals. The DoA’s work in this key area of responsibility is supported by an Institutional Giving Consultant.
• Individual Giving: Approximately 2 % of Dance/USA’s operating budget is comprised of generous gifts made by individuals. These gifts are made through the Dance/USA website, as a Board of Trustee contribution, or through Dance/USA’s National Leadership Council for Dance and Chair’s Circle. It is a priority of Dance/USA, as outline in our 2018 Strategic Plan, to design and implement new strategies for individual giving.
• Corporate Fundraising: Approximately 5 % of Dance/USA’s operating budget is comprised of sponsorships / corporate giving. Externally, the DoA must be a committed to creatively building lasting relationships with sponsors and align their interests and desire for visibility with Dance/USA’s commodities. Internally, the DoA – with great intentionality – must collaborate with members of the Dance/USA team to ensure sponsor benefits are provided.
• Storytelling: With an acute focus on and ability to articulate and disseminate Dance/USA’s impact, the DoA, in collaboration with Dance/USA’s Communications Specialist, will raise the organization’s visibility with an anticipated outcome to amplify the realities of the sector.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE
The DoA will be an expert at building and sustaining relationships and possess a strong acumen for storytelling. They will center anti-racist and inclusionary practices in their daily work. The ideal candidate will thrive in a dynamic workplace environment with competing priorities and deadlines while consistently centering collaboration, deep listening, and the ability to complete assignments with thoughtfulness, care, and attention to detail.

The DoA should possess a keen awareness of the latest fundraising trends and tactics in the nonprofit sector, and able to provide clear direction as to what outreach tactic(s) should be deployed with care of audience and timing.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
A successful candidate will possess many of the following:

• A strong belief in the Vision, Mission and Core Values + Guiding Priorities of Dance/USA with a profound understanding and commitment to combating systemic racism in the dance ecosystem and performing arts sector.
• A deep desire to collaborate and be a strategic thought partner who can synthesize complex thoughts with clarity and is constantly approaching work creatively.
• A comfort with change and a willingness to navigate uncertainty in a team setting.
• Ability to listen deeply and exceptionally; one who is approachable, knowledgeable, and can develop meaningful relationships and sustain existing ones.
• A comfort with receiving input from many sources and commitment to centering inclusive practices daily.
• A comfort with being an active, engaged individual in diverse forums and organizational relationships.
• Ability to travel when needed.

The Director of Advancement may be an offsite employee of Dance/USA, working anywhere in the U.S. Applicants from geographic areas outside of the Washington, DC area are encouraged to apply.

Benefits and Compensation
$80,000 – $85,000 plus benefits package, including full medical, retirement benefits, and paid vacation and sick leave.

To apply
Send your resume and cover letter along to Casey John McEnelly, Director of Finance and Operations, at cmcenelly@nulldanceusa.org. Candidates selected for an interview will be asked to provide two writing samples and three professional references in advance of the interview.

Application Deadline: Monday, November 15 by 9 AM EST
Anticipated Start Date: January 3, 2022

Dance/USA is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Dance/USA is committed to building a culturally diverse community, and strongly encourages applications from individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC).